The Pointer Under Re-construction!

Dear visitor, this blog is currently undergoing a serious reconstruction work. It is on the verge of being transformed into a national news website. Watch out!

Power Failure, Cynicism Frustrate Broadcast of Focus On UB in Retrospect

But Transfer of Production and Presentation Authority Carried Out in Gilded Style

Best radio programme award-winning crew and panelists pose for the press

Incessant power failure, suspicion of reporters amidst other bottlenecks gravely hampered the complete broadcast of a special edition of Focus on UB dubbed Focus on UB in Retrospect over Chariot FM, crew members reported.

The planned two hour programme which started at 3pm, Friday June 14, 2013, first met its Golgotha when AES-Sonel suddenly ceased electricity with a lot of impunity without prior notice. By this time, only a commentary and five reports had been aired, Njumbe Stephen Sako, the programme’s co-producer noted. He further stressed that 18 painstaking reports were not aired due to the frustration.

The Pointer observed that three invited panelists: Martins Elonge, CEO of Brik Foundation; Mbain Derick, Former Producer of Focus on UB; and Ewule Edward of Tanyi Mbi and Partners Law Firm, expressed disappointment over the behavior of one of Chariot FM’s official.

According to the producers, the programme could not continue when electricity was reinstated due to a Chariot FM official’s decision stopping the programme, irrespective of the fact that the programme’s control sheet was dully signed by a senior departmental authority. Yet, the crew members were responsible enough and left immediately in anger to Da Crown Molyko Base 100 for the official handing over.

After, a brief postmortem and by consensus of the producers, production and presentation authority of Focus on UB for 2013/2014 was handed over to Che Bruno, Mbah Beryl, Lohshie Eugene, Tem Derick and Ambe Betrand as producer, co-producer, presenter, assistant presenter and chief technician respectively.

The day’s event, which fortunately did not see again the arrest and detention of any Focus on UB crew member ended with a lot of feasting and sharing of experiences.

By Amindeh Blaise Atabong

University of Buea Again:

Irate Students Launch Second Strike in Three Months

 

The University of Buea Students’ Union (UBSU), May 15, 2013, launched a dreadful on-campus strike, after their February 2013 strike was suppressed and some students charged to court.

UB Students spoil for action

The reasons haven’t changed much from the last, as they keep clamoring for an opportunity to have more courses on re-sit, an increase in march past remuneration to 3000FCFA amongst others.

This time, the Vice-Chancellor was not on seat, and the student mob stormed the administrative building for the Deputy, Prof. Victor Julius Ngoh. Alerted on their approaching the Central Administrative Unit, Prof. Ngoh was smuggled out of the campus.

Frustrated by this escape, the mob shattered his service car which was at the parking in front of the Central Administrative building. They turned the vehicle up-side-down and attacked to the faculties of Social and Management Sciences (FSMS) and Education (FED) in search of Dr. Kingsley Ngange and Molongo, who were said to have stood as witness against the students in court.

Failing to suppress the revolt in their small numbers, the Campus guards fled for safety and six were caught and brutalized by the student mob. They were later rushed to the hospital for treatment. The mob had their guard uniforms seized; furniture damaged and use to barricade the second gate. After which they set them ablaze.

A group of riot policemen with battens, who had been sent to protect the central administrative building, were marched out of the campus, of which a resistance should have meant war as the mob was already parking stones up for that purpose.

The marching out of the police was celebrated by the mob as a major achievement in the revolt and the mob returned to the already damaged car of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research, Co-operation and Relations with the Business World and set it ablaze. The flag in front of the Central Administrative building was flown down at half-mast, indicating a State of Emergency.

The next place on target was the students’ restaurant, where the rioters went to refresh themselves at no cost at all.  

Not long after, four trucks filled with armed policemen drove in, firing tear gas cylinders in the air. The observing crowd dispersed in different directions as they were chased by the police. Some fell, and again got up on their heels.

The strike leaders, found escape routes out of the campus before the police could get to them, while others who were unfortunate to fall into police dragnets were detained. Lohshie Eugene and Ashu Dickson, all student journalists on coverage were equally picked up and brutalized, The DETECTIVE has learnt.

Prior to this act, an anonymous communiqué was put up on campus, saying that Prof. Ngoh is a potential threat to the University of Buea’s peace and that they wanted him out of the university. They claimed that he has been behind previous on-campus strike and has cultic dealings.

According to a track circulated by UBSU during the upheaval, a copy of which The DETECTIVE procured, the students are calling on the Vice Chancellor to withdraw court charges on student leaders who were arrested for taking Dr. Nalova Lyonga hostage for five hours during the previous strike. UBSU equally wants the UB administration to allow students conduct elections into the central executive of the union among others.

In the midst of the commotion, no UB official will readily talk to press men while all attempts to talk to student representatives were futile.

By the time of filling this report, a water canon belonging to the Mobile Intervention Unit (GMI) had just arrived Buea alongside other anti-riot equipment.

It should be noted that when the new Divisional Officer for Buea, Mr. Koum Woukam Paul was being installed recently, the SDO for Fako implored him to join forces with  UB administration to check the excesses of UBSU.

With the current strikes, it is hoped that the administration will fall under the pressure to meet these demands, and most especially set a date for the Student Union elections into the executive wing, which is almost being faced out.

By Oben Carl Ayuk Cole and Amindeh Blaise Atabong

CAMASEJ Lauds Prof. Elvis Ngole Ngole

          Ace and dynamic politician, Prof. Elivs Ngole Ngole has been recognised as ‘South West All Time Best Minister’ by the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ), Meme, Ndian and Kupe Muanenguba Chapter.

          The award by implication means, Prof. Elvis Ngole Ngole stands as the highest and most preforming minister the South West Region has ever had since 1961. The former Minister of Forestry and Wildlife received the prestigious award amidst a jam-parked Tombel Council Chamber on the occasion of the 28^TH Anniversary of the CPDM.
          According to Larry Esong, Managing Editor of The Scoop Today Newspaper cum President of CAMASEJ, Prof. Ngole stood as the most suitable awardee for this category because of his steadfastness in the protection of endangered species through the Last Great Ape programme and other; his resourceful management of the eco-system for sustainable development; and the recruitment of many forest guard in his ministry. Prof. Elvis Ngole Ngole is also noted for his good mediation effort as well as his untiring struggle in the fight against youth unemployment.
          While receiving the award from the watch-dogs of the society, the former Forestry and Wildlife boss, expressed optimism and implored everyone to keep on doing their best for the development of Cameroon.
          CAMASEJ officials told reporters that the award was initially to have been awarded in December 2012. But at that time, the winner was unavoidably absent as he was out of the country for an academic exchange visit.
          It should be noted that Elvis Ngole Ngole was first appointed to the government as Minister of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic on December 7, 1997. After close to nine years as Minister of Special Duties, Ngole Ngole was promoted to the position of Minister of Forestry and Wildlife on September 22, 2006. As Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Prof. Elvis Ngole Ngole worked to enforce anti-poaching laws and curb the illegal sale of bush meat. Apart from being a resource person for the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), he participated in the 1990 tripartite talks and subsequently took part in talks between the CPDM and the main opposition Social Democratic Front.
          Born on April 14, 1953 of Bakossi origin, Professor Elvis Ngole Ngole taught political science at the University of Denver in the United States from 1983 to 1985, and he subsequently taught at the University of Yaounde’s International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC).

By Amindeh Blaise Atabong

Tikum Mbah Azonga, PhD: One of Cameroon’s Endangered Species of Journalism and Mass Communication Instructors

Dr. Tikum Mbah Azonga is famed for meticulous and conscientious utilization of synonyms while speaking, his published books and his gut-splitting humour and gut-wrenching honesty.

Dr. Tikum in office

A well traveled scholar, Dr. Tikum had practised full-time journalism as a worker with the state media- Cameroon Radio and Television (CRTV), now a writer, a journalism and mass communication lecturer, an interpreter and translator and media consultant.

Over the years as a lecturer, Tikum has had an unflinching determination to make things to make things stick and click together in the prestigious Department of Journalism and Mass Communication in the University of Buea.

His workaholic attitude and his conspicuous achievements has recently earned him an appointment as Pioneer Head of Media Division at the University of Bamenda.

Tikum Mbah Azonga of Cameroonian parentage, hails from the North West Region of Cameroon. Born on March 5, 1957 at Baforchu in Santa Subdivision, he did primary education at St. Micheal’s School Musongmuabu and completed in 1970 at St. Francis School Bambili.

After going through Sacred Heart Mankon for five years, Tikum finally graduated from CCAST Bambili with an Advanced Level Certificate in 1977.

With his intrinsic passion and burning zeal for teaching, Tikum Mbah Azonga took up the teaching of French in private colleges. And in 1980, he enrolled into the bilingual series of the Ecole Normal Supèrieur de Yaounde. As was then, he went to France and was trained as a teacher of French. While in France, Tikum also attended a school of translation and was churned out as a translator/interpreter.

On completion of formation in France, the French Government entreated Tikum Mbah Azonga among others to go to Britain and teach French. Inasmuch as Tikum’s mission to  Brtian was to teach French, he ventured into a postgraduate diploma in journalism, where he specialised in production journalism and press and public relations affairs.

When his official mission to Britain ended, he continued teaching French and Spanish and was Head of Department of Spanish at John Lonburg School in London. Tikum also worked for Africa Magazine and West Africa Magazine, all based in London. He also has been one time Editor-in-chief and Publication director of Emet Magazine. Tikum significantly acted as Press ad Public Relations Officer for London Borough Council.

After spending many years in the diaspora, Tikum returned home with a heavy background in journalism and good mastery of the teaching of French as a foreign language. He was poised to contribute to the development of his own country by working in Cameroon and paying taxes to the government.

Following a highly successful early morning radio programme called “Wake Up Show” which Tikum ran on CRTV National Station with late Becky Ndive, he was called by CRTV and offered a job.

While at CRTV, Tikum felt some of his skills were been stifled. So when vacancies were advertised in the University of Buea, he seized the opportunity and was offered two jobs as lecturer. One in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication - JMC and the other in the Advanced School of Translators and Interpreters – ASTI. Tikum chose JMC in order to practise teaching, do research and stay within the domains of journalism. He saw journalism as an avenue to speak to the world. Since then, and until before his appointment, he has been a budding journalism in the University of Buea.

In his quest for more knowledge, Tikum Mbah Azonga enrolled for a PhD in Mass Communication and in 2011, he was a laureate from Ecole Supèrieur Robert de Sorbon in Nancy-France.

Dr. Tikum is a well-known author and has published many books in the likes of: “Say No To AIDS”, “The Wooden Bicycle”, “Tomatoes For Four”, “Sighs and Whisper From Within”, “Modern Cameroon Poetry” and so on.

This media practitioner who speaks over 30 local and international languages is married and father of 5boys, 5girls. He takes reading and writing as hoppies and likes practising the language he knows and learning the languages he does not know.

                                                                    By Amindeh Blaise Atabong

Lake Barombi Mbo May Vanish In 92Years! -Environmental Experts

Some environmental experts attached to the Foresty and Environmental Conservation Society - FOECONS in Kumba, have expressed worries that the chances are very high for Lake Barombi Mbo, the main source of portable water in Kumba, to disappear in some 92 years from now if drastic measures are not taken.

In the midst of a prolonged water crisis, the environmentalists recently confronted the press during which they said their meticulous study of the crater lake shows that it is some nine meters deep, short of two a couple of years ago.

From some 5 kilometers square, Mr. Tabangmua Danisus, FOECONS Coordinator, revealed Lake Barombi Mbo is now some 4.54 kilometers square.

According to Mr. Tabangmua, there has been serious deforestation around the lake, which he noted is under pressure of various forms. If farmers and timber exploiters are not deforesting the lake surroundings and poisoning both the soil and water with chemicals, fishing by chemical is killing acquatic creatures and much of the biodiversity.

In any case, FOECONS is collaborating with a German organisation for advocacy and the Meme Administration is expected to sign an order stopping any destructive activity around the lake, so that the about one million kumba population can be sure of water, which has been scares for about six months following the badly coloured water that is emitted from the lake through the pipes.

"FOECONS is also expected to sign a convention with the Kumba City Council for tree-planting towards re-forestation of the lake. Only ecotourism should be allowed...", the coordinator added firmly.

By Amindeh Blaise Atabong

(Just back from Kumba)

JMC Majors Poised For CJA-Cameroon Investigative Report Competition

Some Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) majors in the University of Buea have emphatically declared their intention in participating in the 2012 Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) Cameroon Investigative Report Competition.

          The student journalists made their declarations recently, after CJA-Cameroon officials made a tour to the South West Region, November 24, 2012, in a bid to sensitize journalists and other stakeholders on an investigative reporting competition that will run right up to December 31, 2012.

          According to Mua Patrick Mueghe, a 300 level student who works as stringer for The Star Newspaper, the training he has received so far from his endangered species of JMC lecturers, makes him confident for the competition. Mua, enjoys investigative journalism and does not fear the aspect of longitivity in service by other media practitioners who shall engage in the competition.

          On his part, Tah Javis, another 300 level major who has declared his intention, said he was spurred by the rigorous field placement which he underwent during the last summer vocation. To him investigative reporting which moves in line with research is the back bone of journalism. Tah shall enter the competition under the canopy of CMTV where he does voluntary service.

          Just like Mua Patrick and Tah Javis, other 400 and 300 level JMC students who have made known their intention either said they were motivated by the internship they did or the desire was ignited by the formation they have received from lecturers.

Worthy of note is the fact that the Journalism and Mass Communication programme in the University of Buea was designed to make the students grounded in research which is vital for investigation, so as to produce well trained entry level professional and budding scholars.

          Many students, however, stated that their participation in the competition is just to test their bones and not to challenge veterans as they still have respect for seniority.

          According to HRH, Nkemayan Paul Foanyi, President of CJA-Cameroon, the competition will focus on corruption and human rights in the country and is open to all journalists of Cameroonian Nationality current working for either an audiovisual or print out fit as well as online publication. Journalists as expected to submitted copies of their report in both soft and hard copies after doing thorough research and investigation on one of the chosen topic latest January 2, 2013.

CJA- Cameroon sources further noted that the first prize will be FCFA 500,000, a laptop and digital dictionary   while the 2^nd prize will be FCFA 300,000, and a laptop. For the 3^rd prize the winner will take FCFA 150,000 and a laptop, the same source added.

                                               By AMINDEH BLAISE ATABONG

50 HIV/AIDS Peer Educators Descend On Fako

    The South West Regional Technical Group For The Fight Against HIV/AIDS, has deployed 50 peer educators to create HIV/AIDS awareness in Buea, Limbe, Tiko, Mutengene and Ekona.
    During the ceremony of the South West Regional Launching of the AIDS-Free Holidays 2012 at the Cameroon Cultural Center in Buea, the youth sensitisation peer group was given the baton of HIV/AIDS awareness creation. Sending out the crack team, Mr. Tata Julius, Social and Cultural Affairs Adviser at the Governor's Office, told the educators to lobby the youth to spread the message and not the virus.
    This year's AIDS-Free Holidays campaign, which is in its 10th edition, is place under the patronage of Mrs. Chantal Biya, First Lady of Cameroon, and sponsored by the National AIDS Control Committee in collaboration with its partners. It is observed under the theme:" Knowing my HIV status is a necessity for my health".
    Speaking during the launching, Dr. Pascal Nji Atanga, South West Regional Coordinator For The Fight Against HIV/AIDS, called on youth in particular to avoid inter-generational sex and endeavour to know their status as free HIV screening exercise will be carried out by mobile vans. Dr. Atanga, noted that in 2011, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the South West Region stood at 5.7%, with a regional rate of 7.9% for females and 3.3% for males on the national scale. "From statistics, more females are vulnerable", Dr. Atanga stressed.
    Against this backdrop, the coordinator for the fight against HIV/AIDS, urged particularly female youth to take the HIV/AIDS struggle more seriously, ensure fidelity, promote proper use of condoms, know their HIV status and above all, practice abstinence.
    Much earlier, the Regional Delegate for Youth Affairs and Civic Education for the South West, Mr. Ajarp Asaha Forbin, challenged the churned out educators to rigorously target spots where sex is easily negotiated such as inter-quarter competitions, youth camps, night clubs, and so on. He equally reminded parents to guide their children ( youth) especially during this holidays.
    In line with the HIV/AIDS campaign, students of Inter-Comprehensive High School Great Soppo kick-off the sensitisation effort by a sketch and poem presentation.
    Statistics hold that, during the AIDS-Free Holidays 2011 in the South West, 715 people were tested and 25 recorded positive. The peer educators will be faced with the task of sensitisation, counseling and condom (both female and male) distribution while free HIV screening will be carried out by mobile vans.
    The AIDS-Free Holiday 2012 campaign, which is expected to end on August 10, will be extended to other places within the South West Region, The DETECTIVE was told.

By AMINDEH BLAISE ATABONG

UB Don Releases Another Law Book

          Associate Professor Michael Akomaye Yanou, a practicing advocate and senior lecturer in law at the University of Buea, has published another law book entitled: Practice and Procedure in Civil Matters in the Courts of Records in Anglophone Cameroon. This book is the first of its kind by a Cameroonian author which deals with practice and procedures in the English Speaking Courts of the former West Cameroon.

          The blurb of the book describe it as the first of its kind in the rather dynamic domain of civil procedure in the Anglophone regions which brings significant local context into practice of law particularly at a point in time when civil practice has been radically altered by the country’s ongoing effort at harmonizing both the substantive and procedural laws applicable in the country.

          According to the author, Michael A. Yanou, it was very necessary for legal practitioners to read and understand the very important verdicts of Cameroon judges, reason why he published the book. The same source revealed that, “most law books that have always been used were either written by Nigerian authors or other foreign authors and the scope did not really reflect our contemporary society”.

          Former Supreme Court Judge and Attorney General for the South West Region, Justice Fonkwe Joseph Fongang, prefaced the 248 page book while the foreword was written by the President of the South West Court of Appeal, Justice (Mrs) Lucy Asuagbor.

          Among those who turned out to support Prof. Yanou at the book launch in the sumptuous Amphi 250, July 11, 2012, was the Nigerian Consul General for the North West and South West Regions o Cameroon. Others included Kama James Shona, General Manager of Ashuka, which does maritime transport. He procured a copy on behalf of his company with the sum of 2.000.000frs.

          On hand also was Barrister Ettah Bisong Jr, President of the Cameroon Bar Council, while Justice Batuo Paul Akong, State Prosecutor for Meme was remarkable. Numerous attendees at the launch including legal practitioners and luminaries, colleagues and students of Yanou purchased copies.

          It should be noted that, Barrister and Advocate, Michael Akomaye Yanou is a senior lecturer in law at the Department of Law of the University of Buea. He was prior to this a lecturer in law at the faculties of law of the Universities of Uyo and Calabar in Nigeria respectively. Besides holding a PhD from Rhodes University, South Africa, he has gone down in record as the first candidate to obtain the PhD in this field within only two years. He is a one time winner of the Visiting Research Fellowship of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Yanou is a practicing advocate of the Supreme Courts of Cameroon and Nigeria who has published several articles in learned journals. Conspicuously, Yanou is the incumbent President of the Syndicate of Teachers of Higher Education – SYNES, University of Buea Chapter.

By AMINDEH BLAISE ATABONG

Dr. Nalova Spurred To Inculcate New University Governance Policy

Dr. Nalova Signing To Take Office

          Prof. Jacque Fame Ndongo, Minister of Higher Education and Chancellor of Academic Orders, has called on the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Dr. Pauline Nalova Lyonga (Associate Professor), to work in line with the new university governance policy.

          The MINESUP Boss made the request in the Amphitheater 750, July 4, while installing UB's fourth Vice Chancellor who appears to be the second female at the helm of a university across the country.

          While describing Dr. Nalova as an astute researcher and tenacious administrator, Prof. fame Ndongo implored her to always encourage dialogue among stakeholders, sustain regularity and performance of academics, pursue the maximisation and improvement of infrastructures left by predecessor and to consolidate the climate of peace and conviviality that reigns in UB. In addition, Dr. Nalova will be faced with the task of giving the University of Buea more doctoral schools in order to produce teaching staff and to scrupulously respect laws of the country and that relating to the management of state affairs and resources.

          "I am confident Dr. Nalova will make the government proud as she has always done", the Minister revealed and thanked His Excellence Paul Biya, apostle of the New University Governance, for the appointments.

          According to the Former VC, Prof. Vincent P.K Titanji, who is due retirement, UB's voyage will be safe, because henceforth the captain is a woman of mettle, full of foresight and passion for excellence.

          On her part, Dr. Nalova Lyonga of Bakweri extraction expressed much optimism. "Everyone should bring their cards on the table and we are going to go where the university and the government would want its citizens to go".

          It should be noted that Dr. Nalova is ingrained in the university system. In 1985, he was recruited as a lecturer and transferred to the University of Buea in 1993 where she has been involve in Feminine Literature, Gender and Literature. She was Director of Academic Affairs in UB from 1999 till 2005 when she was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Teaching. From 2007, Dr. Nalova was Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Teaching, Professionalization and Development of Information and Communication Technolgies until Friday when she was elevated to the post of VC by Presidential Decree No. 2012/33 of 29 July 2012.

          On hand during the installation ceremony were Bakweri chiefs on behalf of South West Chiefs, who poured royal blessings on Nalova. Prominent among the elites in attendance was Rt.Hon.Chief.Justice Benjamin Itoe who urged all Cameroonians of goodwill to appreciate the merits in Dr. Nalova.

          The DETECTIVE observed that the expectations of staff and students are high, ranging from rebuilding the image of UB, ensuring staff discipline, ensure proper lighting on campus, improving on the transcript situation, to several others.

                                                                       By AMINDEH BLAISE ATABONG