Ntumfor Nico Halle stands tall at NACDA golden jubilee

From Leinyuy Marilyn, on special assignment in Awing

International legal consultant and renowned peace crusader, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle was visibly the star of the day as thousands converged on Awing on Saturday November 17, 2012, to celebrate the village’s golden jubilee. Not only was the NACDA golden jubilee where he was the organizing chairman more than successful; members of the diplomatic community in Cameroon, top government functionaries, politicians and traditional rulers were present.

The ceremonial ground at the Awing fon’s palace esplanade saw a massive population turn out from sons and daughters of Awing, both home and abroad as well as guests from different parts of the country were in Awing to live history. The ceremonial ground was decorated with the flags of the ten countries that have stood by Awing village to boost its development efforts.

The ceremony that started with an ecumenical service with the Gospel drawn from the book of Leviticus 25:8-13 saw the people of Awing counting their many blessings and achievements from the Almighty God, praying that God should touch the government so that their village can be upgraded into a Subdivision.

In his Golden Jubilee speech after the ecumenical service, Professor Mbangwana said NACDA was created in 1962 and it is today having structures nation-wide and in the Diaspora. He said the association has as its mission to unite all Awing elite towards the fostering of socio-cultural and economic development of Awing through self-reliance initiatives and to promote the citizen spirit of law abiding, peace and unity to all Awing people while equally projecting a good image of the fondom.

Their achievements, 50 years after, Mbangwana said, is also thanks to the support from their friends and partners, organizations and foreign countries like Switzerland, Denmark, the United kingdom, the  United States, Germany, including organizations like Dutch Embassy, African Development Bank (ADB),the world Bank, French Development Agency, , CERAC, GP-DERUDEP and the Cameroon government.

Ntumfor crowned most successful NACDA president

For his part, NACDA president general, Ntsonkefo’o Peter Akote in appreciating past and present NACDA presidents general, , hailed Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle who was president between 1998 and 2004 for a job well done. He stressed that under Ntumfor, a multi-purpose Awing fon’s palace was constructed and he named it a mirror and pearl of the elite. As the palace re-construction progressed on, he continued, the electricity project was again launched by the development luminary. Ntumfor, he said, had told the population that a good palace cannot be left in darkness. He therefore resolved to connect electricity from Matazem-Santa to the Awing fon’s palace.

The NACDA president general described Ntumfor Nico Halle as a role model who  many aspiring youths look up to realise their dreams of becoming great men.

NACDA’s achievements

Within 50 years, NACDA has achieved the following; opening of schools including mission, private and government nursery, primary, secondary and technical schools, construction of classrooms and provision of benches, constructed and maintained a good road network system,  availability of pipe borne water to about 63% of the population of Awing, built and renovated the fon’s palace, built and maintained bridges, provided electricity, health care, a community hall and existence of pit latrines in homes and markets to improve the sanitation of the people; just to name a few.

It is worth mentioning that if NACDA has achieved this much, it is more so thanks to participatory development, patriotism, culture of hard work and most especially careful and transparent management of resources. NACDA equally has the responsibility to build the capacity of members to know their rights and duties and to pay their taxes without grumbling and make them to know that one cannot share in the national cake without working hard.

Arts and culture minister, Ama Tutu Muna occupied with other pressing state duties was represented by her technical adviser who brought in the sum of 2 MFCFA.

British high commissioner, Barrack Joshie, who was present at the occasion hailed Awing elite for always taking the first step to develop their village before sourcing for foreign assistance. “This explains why we have always stood by this village to give assistance when the need arises” the high commissioner said.

Dorothy Njeuma, an ELECAM board member who was in the company of her daughter, a pilot, appreciated the dynamism of the Awing people. She saw them as a peaceful, united and development oriented people worth emulating.

Ntumfor Nico Halle in appreciating the high level Nigerian officials present at the occasion like the high commissioner in Yaounde, the consul general for Littoral and West regions and the consul general for South West and North West regions, said it was an indication that the Green Tree accord President Paul Biya of Cameroon and the then Nigerian President, Olusengun Obasanjo signed before the then UN secretary general, Koffi Annan was working smoothly. He noted that Ndong Awing pays very high attention to peace, unity, development and hospitality.

Also in attendance were the SDF national chairman, John Fru Ndi, the Swiss ambassador to Cameroon, Urs Berner, former Governor Fai Yengo Francis, Cameroon ambassador to Congo, Chungong Ayafor, SDF MP, Hon. Tumasang Paul, the Nigerian vice president in Bamenda, over 25 fons among other important personalities.

To spice up the ceremony, NACDA launched the jubilee monument and “Smiling Awing” magazine. The people were also entertained with a beautiful ballet dance group from some Awing natives, chanting of the Awing golden jubilee song, fashion parade as well as presentation from various cultural dance groups from the people of Awing and different neighbouring villages.

AUN rated best Africa’s premier development university

By Kristian Ngah Christian, back from Yola, Nigerian

Speaker after speaker at this year’s American University of Nigeria’s 7^th annual Founder’s Day used the crowd-pulling ceremony to rate the Yola-based institution as Africa’s premier development university. Several national and foreign dignitaries and heads of diplomatic missions in Nigeria attended the ceremony that culminated in the first annual Yola Peace Days. Both ceremonies were preceded by a conference, organized by the American University of Nigeria, AUN, for some 30 school principals from Nigeria and Cameroon.

Welcoming guests on day two of the Founder’s Day ceremony that was staged at the auspicious AUN auditorium, Abubakar Abba Tahir, assistant vice president of public relation and communication hailed what he called heart-warning stories of AUN’s commitment to service learning and community engagement; which he added underscores the institution’s mission as Africa’s leading development-driven university.

Abba Tahir was categorical that AUN’s place as Africa’s premier development university has been better translated by the achievements of its graduates in industry, business, IT, academia, government bureaucracy etc. Armed with what he qualified as customized AUN leadership credentials, Abba Tahir again pointed out that the graduates “are becoming increasingly busier around the world-inspiring hope, propelling dreams, changing lives and expanding the frontiers of prosperity for humanity …”

For her part, the emblematic AUN president, Margee Ensign announced that the institution’s development-driven approach has attracted not only students from Nigeria but also a large number from Cameroon and Rwanda. She said being an institution that is increasing its efforts to figure out what it means to become Africa’s best development university, the AUN has been active in peace building to ensure that students study in an environment void of fear. The AUN president was equally hopeful that the kind of training students receive would help them lead the development of Nigeria and Africa.

Former President Olusengun Obasanjo’s chief economic adviser, Prof. Charles Soludo, a Keynote speaker at the ceremony said no amount of words was enough to thank AUN’s founder, Atiku Abukakar, his Board of Trustees and management for putting in place what he too qualified as Africa’s best development university. He said Atiku Abubakar is not only a big blessing to Nigeria and Africa but is also doing all to leave the world better than he met it.

Even though known to have travelled widely, Prof. Soludo who is also former governor of Nigeria’s central Bank testified at last Saturday’s ceremony “I have never seen this kind of University…”. He said there were a lot of similarities between the University of Nigeria which he attended and the AUN; adding “A university that has development orientations is what Nigeria and Africa need for now”.

For his part, AUN founder and former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar said the dream of creating an American-type university started when he was still going to school in Yola. He said AUN has from creation remained a development university and thanked Americans for trusting his ability to the extent of signing a partnership to run the AUN.

While also thanking parents who have trusted their kids into the able care of the AUN, Atiku Abubakar submitted and rightly so that several institutions in Nigeria are beginning to recruit workers only on condition that they are graduates of the American University of Nigeria.

Former students of the AUN, it was also said, are not only being readily accepted in the best universities in the world for post graduates programmes but are doing brilliantly well in studies.

AUN offering scholarships to Cameroonian students

Unlike other privately-owned universities that are capitalist in nature, the AUN, though is owned by a group of trustees is also involved in charity and fostering the education of underprivileged children. Little wonder therefore that 20% of the students in AUN are on scholarship. Of this percentage, eight of the students come from Cameroon and two from Rwanda. More and more, African parents are resorting to send their young children to the AUN with the argument that the Yola-based university has even more than what some European Universities offer. In addition, the AUN, many parents and students hold, has an unmatched approach to university studies. In the AUN, students are also involved in different community development projects.

No insecurity in AUN

Contrary to earlier fears, Yola, the seat of the AUN is one of the most peaceful towns in Nigeria and does not have any records of insecurity.

Without taking anything to chance however, the management of the AUN has put in place over 350 well-trained security guards on the campus. Not only are the guards the best trained in Nigeria, they are also well paid. No vehicle, be it that of the AUN staff enters the campus gate without proper search by the no-nonsense guards. Many Cameroonian students I spoke to told me the AUN is the best university that provides maximum security and a more than conducive learning environment. “At first, I was reluctant to come here but barely a few months in the AUN, I can say it again that I made the best choice”, a Cameroonian student told me.

Why the AUN remains the best in Africa

At AUN, students have the opportunity to acquire the best of American education on African soil. This seamlessly eliminates the stress usually associated with the often endless quest for foreign visa.

Students at AUN can acquire the best of American education at the fraction of what it takes to receive similar quality education in the United States or Europe.

The American University of Nigeria offers both parents and their wards the comfort of proximity to family and loved ones. This allows parents/guardians to keep tabs on their children/wards, to participate in key events at AUN, and also to ensure the perpetuation of cherished family values.

Safety concerns of parents and students get top priority attention at AUN where the entire premises are completely walled and patrolled 24/7 by an over 350-strong professional AUN security force. The AUN force is backed up by on-campus police station equipped and manned by the Nigerian Police Force.

At AUN where the teacher-student ratio is approximately 1:15, small is beautiful. Small class sizes allow productive faculty-student interaction. This is praised by AUN alumni as a key contributing factor to the success they experienced in their studies at the university.

At AUN, you can satisfy your desire to study for a period of time in America, the United Kingdom or elsewhere around the world via the University’s Study Abroad program. This program will take you nearly anywhere in the world for a semester or two, depending on your choice.

At AUN, you do not only acquire your degree, you can also earn a living and gain work experience while you study. The University engages interested academically capable students in some of its department to work for a stipulated period per week.

AUN offers hi-tech facilities that compete with the best equipped Universities around the world. It provides the ideal environment for students seeking to understand and engage the world. Both in class and out of class, students acquire hands-on professional experience and make vital real-world connections.

At AUN, students can win scholarships that qualify them for full tuition, reduced tuition and other costs as long as they maintain a minimum stipulated Cumulative Grade Point Average.

At AUN, we do our best to create an environment where student life is comfortable, pleasurable and entertaining. Students take advantage of the many social and cultural activities offered both within and around the University and can participate in well over 20 students clubs.

AUN graduates are spread all over Nigeria and around the world, studying or working for top employers and institutions. You can join them and be part of this growing AUN network of leaders.

The AUN and the Adamawa Peace Council

The Adamawa Peace Council, (APC) was formally launched on January 10; 2012 on the campus at the American University of Nigeria. It was formed during a time of turbulence in the country due to the removal of the fuel subsidy and increasing violence attributed to Boko Haram.

The APC (which is being renamed the Adamawa Peace Initiative) consists of religious, academic and community leaders in Yola and other parts of Adamawa State who are all committed to living in peace and harmony and to supporting the goals of the APC.

Several income-generating projects have been established, including one focused on IT training for unemployed youth. Members of the Peace Council nominate these youth and AUN’s staff at the IT center as well as faculty and students in the School of Information Technology and Computing, (SITC) are conducting this training.

The Peace Council has also visited local communities who have experienced violence and distributed food and bedding to flood victims.

CPDM baron spits fire!

·       Time to tell the bitter truth about Biya is now

·       Biya cannot continue to deceive Cameroonians

·       Biya kicked the ladder he used to climb to higher heights

·       Biya has buried my family and I alive

·       Biya must pay for all my property destroyed by the opposition in the 1990s

By Chinje Hope in Yaounde

President Paul Biya’s unpopularity is growing by the day. Many of those who were formerly on his side are now turning their backs on him and unveiling his can of worms. Yesterday it was the jailed former minister of territorial administration and decentralization, Marafa Hamidou Yaya. Today it is the turn of Pius Kango, once a baron of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party, who says he served as the president’s technical adviser in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In an open letter to the head of state, a copy of which was sent to our newsroom last week, Kango recounts the ordeal he has gone through simply because of what he calls his long years of “unalloyed and loyal support” for the CPDM and its president.

The open letter begins with food for thought which reads in part “The truth is bitter but it must be spoken”, Every thing that has a beginning must have an end”, “A man (Biya) can not continue to deceive the people all the time…”.

He says he was first living comfortably in Nigeria where he ran a popular dispensary and headed the community of Cameroonians in the country. In 1983 when, from Paris – France, President Biya made a clarion call to all Cameroonians living abroad to return home and help move the country forward, he thought it expedient to heed the president’s call.

Advice to Biya on how to tackle economic crisis

But even before he came back to the country, Kango drafted two detailed projects on how the economic crisis afflicting the country could be tackled and sent copies to the head of state in January 1989. He says his proposals were received by the former who acknowledged their receipt through a correspondence dated September 4, 1989 and signed by Edouard Akame Mfoumou, the minister of economy and finance at the time. The said correspondence, which was photocopied and attached to the open letter sent to our newsroom, was dispatched to Pius Kango in Nigeria via the post office.

Kango says he is in possession of 15 other letters praising him for his efforts in nation-building, which came from the president himself, the central committee of the CPDM, the former SG of the party, Njoh Mouelle, former ministers, Jean Baptiste Bascuda and François Sengat Kuo, etc.

Kango and family maltreated in the name of the CPDM

It was in 1990 that he finally chose to return to Cameroon, determined to actively participate in the development of the nation. But as he went around his North West province of origin preaching the doctrine of the CPDM and trying to mobilize the people, he was greatly manhandled by the restive population of Bui division who were all behind the opposition during the turbulent period of the reintroduction of multiparty politics in Cameroon.    

Not only was he molested during those years leading up to 1994, but his property including his school – the Saint Margaret Comprehensive College – were all destroyed. His wife, Winifred, was also kidnapped by those he says belonged to the “sadist opposition”. Kango says she later died in the hands of her kidnappers sometime in 1993.     

Biya insensitive to Kango’s plight

Thereafter, Kango continues in his open letter, “I…successively wrote ten letters to H. E. Paul Biya, respectfully requesting compensation for my (destroyed) property to enable me and my family to survive the hard times inflicted on us by the…opposition in Bui division, (but) the president…(has) failed to reply all the ten letters…”

For answer, he goes on, government instead expropriated his land in Dzeng in the North West and eventually built two schools, one secondary and one primary, on it. In addition, “my piece of farmland in Mbveh village from which I fed my huge family was seized from me and sold to the Presbyterian Church in Mbveh. And I have no money to sue the defaulters.”

Since then, Kango explains, life has become extremely unbearable for him and his family. He has since taken ill and his kids have dropped out of school, but there is no money for him to treat himself or enable the children to continue with their education.

More misery for Kango because of Biya

Pius Kango felt so despondent that he had to rush to Nigeria to seek financial assistance from his old friends and acquaintances out there. And he says he got quite some, amounting to 2.5 million FCFA. But on his way back to Cameroon, Nigerian immigration officials found a document in his bag in which he had written in praise of President Biya, mistook him for a Cameroon government agent who had come to spy on the Nigerian government, seized all his belongings, arrested him and detained him in Gembu (Nigeria) for 40 days! That was in 1994.

Kango gives the names of the Nigerian immigration officials who arrested him as Mallam Abakari, Mallam Abubakar, Mallam Balla, A. T. Gaya and Muhammed Gambo. On return again to the country, all his complaints to the government met deaf ears. This only inflamed his anger the more as he cries out that he and his family “have been badly kicked below the belt by the…government…”

Pius Kango further indicts President Biya, saying: “I ran the race with you from the beginning…and when we won the battle and you rose to national and international fame, you kicked the ladder which you used to climb to those heights…” He questions where those “saints” and “angels” who are now enjoying with the president were when they were struggling to make the Etoudi tenant what he is today.

The aggrieved CPDM stalwart ends up calling on the head of state to compensate him, as a matter of obligation and urgency, for all the intractable problems he has encountered as he struggled to fly the flag of the ruling party and help move the country forward.