Society

22, November 2024

Ode to Princess Victorine Ako Tambi: A Charles Mambo family Production ⁰

The Charles Mambo family is honoring and celebrating an extraordinary woman whose tireless efforts and unwavering dedication have touched countless lives both in Cameroon and the United Kingdom.

The Mambos of Great Britain are privileged to present to the world Victorine Ako Tambi, a beacon of compassion, leadership and cultural pride.

Victorine Ako Tambi, a devoted mother and grandmother has been married to a titled man from Ndekwai village in Cameroon. Together, they have resided in London for the past decade, where Victorine Ako Tambi has emerged as a cornerstone of the Cameroonian community. Her remarkable journey is marked by her profound commitment to charitable work, social empowerment and cultural preservation.

In the wake of the conflict that erupted in English-speaking Cameroon in 2016, Lady Vicky stepped forward as a lifeline for countless families affected by the turmoil. Her unwavering support for orphaned children and needy families has provided hope and stability in the most trying times. Through her charitable initiatives, she has extended a helping hand, ensuring that the most vulnerable among us are not forgotten.

Vicky Ako Tambi’s influence extends beyond her philanthropic endeavours. As a fervent advocate for African women, she has utilized social media platforms to inspire and empower, fostering a sense of strength and solidarity among women across the continent. Her voice has been a catalyst for change, encouraging women to embrace their potential and strive for greatness.

In the United Kingdom, Lady Vicky’s contributions to the Cameroonian community are unparalleled. As the current President of the Manyu Elements Cultural Association (MECA UK), she has been instrumental in promoting and preserving our rich Cameroonian cultural heritage. Her leadership has brought our community closer, fostering unity and a shared sense of identity. Additionally, as a chartered member of the Board of Trustees of the Manyu Solidarity Group UK, she plays a crucial role in repatriating the remains of deceased Cameroonians, ensuring they rest in their homeland with dignity and respect.

Lady Vicky’s dedication to cultural promotion is further exemplified by her prominent role in MOHWA, a Manyu women’s cultural group with international recognition. Her active participation has elevated the group’s profile, showcasing the beauty and diversity of Cameroonian culture on a global stage.

Lady Vicky Tambi embodies the spirit of selflessness, resilience, and cultural pride. Her contributions have not only strengthened our community in the United Kingdom but have also had a profound impact on the lives of many in Cameroon. She is a true community personality, whose legacy of kindness and leadership will inspire future generations.

Everyone in the Charles Mambo family is appealing to all in the Cameroonian community in the United Kingdom to take a moment to express their deepest gratitude and admiration for Vicky Tambi.

The remarkable journey of this mother and grandmother born in Mamfe the chief town in Manyu Division to late Simon Eyong Mengot and late Mama Rose Eyong Mengot is a testament to the power of compassion and the enduring impact one individual can have on the world.

Lady Victorine Ako Tambi, we salute you, and we thank you for your unwavering dedication to making our world a better place.

A Charles Mambo family Production

26, December 2022

Vincent Aboubakar is Cameroon Concord Person of the Year 2022 ⁰

We of the Cameroon Concord News Group are happy to announce the winner of the 2022 Cameroon Concord News Person of the Year. He is the captain of the Indomitable Lions, Vincent Aboubakar.

Aboubakar was chosen by thousands of our readers from among a list that included renowned Muslim scholar, Abdul Karim; Cameroon’s Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji and MRC Chairperson, Professor Maurice Kamto. Cameroon Concord People elected the captain of the Indomitable Lions, Vincent Aboubakar as the Cameroon Concord News Person of the Year 2022.

Our readers in both English and French Cameroun held the candidates shortlisted for this year’s award to the highest standards of responsible leadership in a nation destroyed by hydra-headed conflicts. The majority of those who participated opined that Vincent Aboubakar deserves the award for his great achievements on the pitch and his behavior off the pitch.

Aboubakar was Cameroon’s key striker when the country won the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in 2017. In Stade de l’Amitie, in Libreville, Gabon on that fateful Sunday, February 5, 2017 when Captain Moukanjo summoned Nkoulou and not him after the finals to receive the trophy, even though he scored the winning goal, Aboubakar demonstrated great sportsmanship and till this day- never raised a finger! What happened in Gabon was a surprising win in the championship game for a team many had deemed second-rate heading into the important continent-wide football (soccer) tournament.

Cameroon Concord News and Cameroon Intelligence Report have critically examined Vincent Aboubakar’s performance deep within the Indomitable Lions ever since he became the key striker. He was the highest goal-scorer during the Africa Cup of Nations which was hosted in Cameroon in 2021 after having engineered Cameroon’s comeback in the third place match against Burkina Faso. Cameroon was already staring down the barrel of defeat, but when Aboubakar was fielded, the tempo and face of the match changed. Cameroon equalized three goals and later defeated Burkina Faso in a penalty shootout.

Aboubakar has always been a key element in Cameroon’s football team. He pulled the Indomitable Lions from the brink during the World Cup qualifiers and helped the team to qualify for the Qatar World Cup, scoring nearly all the goals during the qualification campaign.

Unlike some former captains, Vincent Aboubakar received the national flag from the government representative en route to Qatar and even when he was dropped from the first 11 in the opening match against Switzerland, he kept his calm and worked for the team’s success.

At the World Cup in Qatar, he scored one of the best goals during the match against Serbia and scored the winning goal against Brazil, a victory which made the world to understand that Brazil was vincible. Aboubakar has had a great career and he is a good example for many young men in Africa always showing patriotism and professionalism.

Born on 22 January 1992 in Yaoundé to Edouard Aboubakar and Maobeal Alice Aboubakar, he still holds his Cameroonian passport and now plays as a striker for Saudi Professional League club Al Nassr. He began his career at Coton Sport of Garoua and moved to Europe in 2010, playing for Ligue 1 clubs Valenciennes and Lorient, totalling 109 appearances and 26 goals in France’s top division. In 2014, he signed for Porto, where he played 125 games and scored 58 goals, winning a Primeira Liga title. He won the Turkish Süper Lig while on loan at Beşiktaş in 2017, and again in 2021.

Vincent Aboubakar has earned over 90 caps for the Indomitable Lions since his international debut in May 2010. He was part of the Lions squad for the 2010, 2014 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, 2017 and 2021.

His earnings are from contracts, salaries, bonuses, and endorsements. As of 2022, his estimated web value is round $6 million and his wage is €6 million. His market worth is round €9 million.

His handling of the poor outing against Egypt in Yaoundé during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations semis and distancing the new generation of players from the poor performance was indeed satisfying to all Cameroonian football fans both at home and in the diaspora.

Cameroon Concord News Group congratulates Captain Vincent Aboubakar for the well-deserved honour accorded him by a majority of our readers. Cameroon Concord News Group remains grateful to all Cameroon Concord People who took part in the poll and wishes all our readers’ world -wide, a rewarding prosperous New Year.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

soteragbawebai@gmail.com

Chairman/Editor-in-Chief

31, December 2021

UK: THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY LOTTERY SUPPORTING BISONG FOUNDATION INITIATIVE ⁰

Bisong Foundation free sports events aim to keep people physically fit thereby promoting good health and avoiding illness

Bisong Foundation is organising multiple sports events between November 2021 to October 2022 as a good way to bring communities together after COVID 19 lockdowns in Cambridge. The events will reach about 350 people who will take part in various sporting activities including women and men football, table tennis and gym exercises. As part of the project, Bisong Foundation will organise workshops where female activists will deliver talks on strategies to reduce violence against women/men. Victims will learn how to recognise the signs of conflicts and preventive measures, possible triggers and how to avoid them.

The project “Cambridge Community Sports Project” has been made possible thanks to a grant from the National Community Lottery Fund.

Beneficiaries will range in age from 19 to 60 years participation is open to anyone who wants to keep fit. The project will run from November 2021 to October 2022.

The founder Michael Bisong, a former football player for the Cameroon junior national team and now a resident of Cambridge, said “he hopes people will benefit from the various sports activities which will enable them to stay fit and improve their general wellbeing”. He added “Bisong Foundation is delighted to have received funding from The National Community Fund”. “This will enable us to organize various sports activities to many people across Cambridge as we aim to keep people fit and healthy after the lockdowns with the hope that a lot of people will benefit from it thanks to the National Community Lottery Fund and the National Lottery players”.

For more details about the events and how to join any of the activities or sessions, call

Michael on 07956 057504, Majolie on 07445 842529.

For more information about Bisong Foundation visit www.bisongfoundation.org.uk

5, December 2021

National Lottery Community Fund and Bisong Foundation Initiative: A productive partnership ⁰

Bisong Foundation is organizing workshops and public sensitization events with different community groups to have a discourse and create awareness around climate change across the historic city of Cambridge from January 2022 to December 2022 .

The atelier aims to create increased awareness of the impact of climate change in BAME communities. Renowned climate activists will be talking to participants about adopting small personal action plans. Bisong Foundation will also be holding public sensitization outreach on impending disasters climate change will have on the community if action is not taken!

The entire project will place emphasis on ways people can reduce food waste, use public transportation, cycling and walking instead of driving cars.

Although the awareness campaign will be directed towards ethnic minority groups primarily because they are notoriously hard to reach and are often not included in climate change campaigns, Bisong Foundation is encouraging the wider Cambridge community to take part and learn new ways of protecting the environment.

Michael Bisong who heads the foundation and who also moonlighted as a football player for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon reportedly expressed his gratitude to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting the project.

Bisong who now is a chartered Cambridge residence opined that “climate change is the most significant problem facing the world and global warming is increasing day by day, and if we cannot prevent it as soon as possible, our world will face undesirable consequences”. Bisong is urging everyone to attend the workshops and become aware of how we can benefit from our planet, and in turn our health.

For more details about the project and how to join any of the workshops, please call

Pascal on 07578 971671, Michael on 07956 057504 and Charlotte on 07594 378408.

For more information about Bisong Foundation visit www.bisongfoundation.org.uk

Bisong Foundation free community workshops are designed to tackle climate change and deliver benefits to health.

14, July 2021

London: Sakerettes, Manyus to bid farewell to Mama Bessem Tataw ⁰

The United Kingdom Sakerrette alumni group acting as ambassadors and trusted advocates for Saker Baptist College and the Manyu community will bid a final farewell to Mama Mercy Bessem Tataw who passed away in London on April 10, 2021 at a ceremonial funeral on July 24, 2021 with the Manyu moningkim and ekpe groups set to fall silent to mark the passing of a prominent figure with sound personal achievements.

The ceremony that will be staged at Mill Hill Country Club, Burton Hole Lane, London will include some of Sakerrettes fabulous grandeur following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and a special corner for the custodians of the Manyu customs and traditions to honour her as wife of the late Commissioner Albert Tataw.

Speaking of the late Mama Mercy Bessem Tataw, Seseskou Isong Asu of the Ossing Kingdom who also moonlights as the Cameroon Concord News London Bureau Chief said he expects the funeral rites to resonate with dozens of Cameroonians in the UK as the late Mama Tataw lived with her daughter Mrs Vivian Mambo and her son in law Charles Mambo well known members of the Cameroonian community in the United Kingdom.

The entire event will be held within the walls of Mill Hill London NW7 1AB and the entire Cameroonian community have been asked to congregate at Mill Hill to show their respects.

Mama Mercy Bessem Tataw was a very popular, soft spoken mother and a dedicated Christian.

Attached to this report is the funeral program for the caring mother of Vivian, Mabel, Ethel, Daphne, Didier, Mercy, Mabi Gianna and Albert and 17 grandchildren.

SATURDAY JULY 24, 2021

FROM 12 NOON

Live streaming link:

In Loving Memory of Mama Mercy Bessem Tataw

FUNERAL SERVICE AND RECEPTION

Greenvue Venue

Mill Hill Country Club

Burton Hole Lane

Mill Hill

London

NW7 1AS

4PM Burial (Family only) at Hendon Cemetery and Crematorium

Holders Hill Road

London

NW7 1NB

With the relaxing of covid- 19 regulations, we still plead to everyone attending our mother’s funeral to respect government guidelines on Covid-19 and Public Health England advice.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

16, February 2021

Cameroonian woman commits suicide after catching husband in bed with another woman ⁰

A Cameroonian lady based out of Dubai put an end to her life upon finding her husband share a bed with another woman. As cited on Emmanuel’s Blog, Ndolo Immaculate caught her husband Daniel Sona Epie cheating on her, which pushed her to take the extreme step – and committed suicide, unable to cope with misery.

The piece also suggested that Immaculate’s mental health was on a decline in the recent past, due to Epie’s adulterous ways. Largely perceived as a “sincere and honest soul”, the news of Immaculate’s death sent shockwaves to friends and well-wishers. Alenne Menget, a movie producer and entrepreneur, expressed his dismay over her demise and claimed to have been mentoring her in the past couple of weeks.

“I have been reading stories of the lady who committed suicide this morning.. Got worried because one of her pictures really got her familiar… I decided to look for her name and check her Facebook account… Only to realize it’s someone I have been mentoring. One sincere and honest soul just going like that. RIP Girl… I will drop just this piece below so you realize why I think she was warm and humble,” said Menget, as cited on the blog.

While another wrote, “Ndola Imma, how I wish this news of your sudden death is not true. To think we had chats both of Facebook messenger and WhatsApp just a few days back and you couldn’t open up to me as a friend or someone else for help and counseling. Please friends and love ones if we are going through depression or a rough time, let’s try to look for someone to talk to be it a pastor, mentor, family member, or friend. We should never think of #Suicide as an option to end the misery.”

A volley of acquaintances began to ponder about whether most women prioritized their relationships over self-love. And, how putting one’s partner on a pedestal instead of practicing self-love was detrimental in itself.

The report suggested that Immaculate was growing tired of Epie’s adulterous ways.

Source: Latintimes

17, January 2021

Yaounde: Issa Hayatou installed as Honorary President of CAF ⁰

Issa Hayatou was installed Friday in Yaoundé in his new football portfolio as honorary president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which he headed from 1988 to March 2017.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Gianni Infantino President of FIFA and Constant Omari, the interim president of CAF and many presidents of soccer federations on the continent.

According to popular opinion in Cameroon, CAF is trying to rehabilitate Issa Hayatou who led the institution for nearly 30 years and whose demise at the head of the African football governing body came as a surprise.

Issa Hayatou was defeated in the elections in March 2017 by Ahmad Ahmad who replaced him. He reportedly left Cairo in anger and has ever since maintained a kind of deliberate silence.

Speaking during the event, Hayatou expressed his gratitude and pride before the audience of personalities gathered for the ceremony, “My first feeling is one of sincere and deep gratitude. Today, it is a serene and proud man at home, who stands before you,” he said.

Since his departure from CAF, Issa Hayatou who hails from a royal family in the north of Cameroon returned to his native Garoua city where he was born and grew up.

By Oke Akombi Ayukepi Akap in Glasgow with files from Rita Akana in Yaounde

12, July 2020

Nigeria: Widows in Akwa Ibom drilled on COVID-19 prevention ⁰

The CEO of Theo Light Health Foundation, Mrs Helen Ani, advised widows of Akwa Ibom state to make themselves familiar with the major prevention techniques of the on-going pandemic, COVID-19. Speaking to 150 widows drawn from all works of life during the just celebrated International Widows Day, the health personnel described the pandemic as deadly but cautioned that the disease can be treated if diagnosed early.

The occasion, which held at the Scripture Union Hall Uruan in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was organised by the Belinda Babila Foundation.

In her presentation, Mrs Ani lectured the women on the necessity of obeying the laid down regulations to combat the disease. She advised them to wash their hands under running water with soap regularly, use hand sanitizers, always wear face masks, and keep social distance. Helen whose foundation caters for female teenagers who are victims of unwanted pregnancies as a result of rape, admonished the women not to brood over their situation but to shun empathy and occupy themselves in socio economic activities. She thanked Belinda Babila Foundation for reaching out to widows and for giving her the opportunity to educate the women on COVID-19.

For her part, Rev. Mrs Relindis Ngum Ojong, BBF representative in Nigeria reminded the women that though their husbsnds have moved to the world beyond, they have a super husband in Jesus Christ. She advised them to trust in him because He never fails.

It should be recalled that the Belinda Babila Foundation BBF which is a nongovernmental organization, celebrated this year’s International Widows day in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon.

By Tina Nene Nganda in Nigeria

21, May 2020

Cameroon COVID-19 survivor battles stigma via social media ⁰

In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, surviving COVID-19 also means fighting stigma. A number of countries from Ghana to Kenya and Nigeria have recorded incidents of survivors being stigmatized.

Over in Cameroon, one such survivor is on a mission to lead the fight against stigma. Ekane Anicet has decided to share his experience to spread awareness about the illness.

“People are scared; people didn’t think COVID-19 could touch them. In fact, what frightens people is the images from the West where they line up corpses, figures like ’8,000 dead’, it’s television that has created this panic among Africans,” he stressed.

Ekane is using social media to try and de-dramatize the pandemic and is at the head of an association for COVID-19 survivors.

A clinical psychologist also explains that the way COVID-19 victims are dramatically handled in the public adds to the stigma.

Dr Erero Njiengwé explained: “The way in which the teams arrive in the homes is a way that adds to the personal drama that people are experiencing, and creates – by attracting the attention of those around them – a further dramatisation of the problem.

“And it confirms or reinforces in the thoughts and minds of those around them the dangerousness of the coronavirus – which before was far away and almost theoretical.”

Source: Africa News

8, May 2020

White man, son in US state of Georgia charged with murder of unarmed black jogger ⁰

A white former police officer and his son were arrested on Thursday in Georgia and charged with murder in the shooting death of an unarmed black man, an incident that touched off a furor in the community and among civil rights activists nationwide.

Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son Travis, 34, were taken into custody by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and charged with aggravated assault as well as murder in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in the town of Brunswick, the agency said in a statement.

The Feb. 23 shooting death of Arbery, 25, as he ran unarmed through the small town was captured on video by an unnamed witness in a vehicle near the scene. The video’s wide broadcast in recent days ignited outrage among activists, politicians and celebrities who saw the incident as the latest case of white perpetrators killing a black man and going unpunished.

It was not immediately clear on Thursday if the two men had retained attorneys.

A district attorney appointed to handle the high-profile case after two other prosecutors recused themselves said on Wednesday he would ask a county grand jury to decide if the two men should face charges.

The men’s arrest by the GBI, one day after the agency opened an investigation into the case, appears to have sidelined any grand jury probe.

Three shots

The video footage shows Arbery jogging down a narrow two-lane road and around the McMichaels’ white pickup truck, which had stopped in the right lane with its driver’s door open.

As Arbery crosses back in front of the truck, a gunshot is fired. Arbery is then seen struggling with a man holding a long gun as a second man stands in the bed of the truck brandishing a revolver. Two more shots are heard before Arbery stumbles and falls face down onto the asphalt.

The GBI said it was Travis McMichael who fired the fatal round.

According to a police report obtained by the New York Times, Gregory McMichael, a former Glynn County police officer and district attorney’s investigator, told detectives the incident began when he spotted Arbery from his front yard “hauling ass” down the street.

McMichael told police that, because he suspected Arbery in a string of recent neighborhood break-ins, he and his son gave chase in the truck, with Gregory McMichael carrying a .357 Magnum revolver and Travis armed with a shotgun.

Gregory McMichael said Arbery began to “violently attack” his son, fighting him for the shotgun, prompting Travis to open fire.

According to a letter obtained by the Times, the prosecutor in Brunswick argued there was not probable cause to arrest the McMichaels because they were legally carrying firearms, had a right to pursue a burglary suspect and use deadly force to protect themselves.

Source: REUTERS