Eyong Kevin, Author at THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON

China joins Africa to denounce stigmatization of HIV infected children

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 13:37:28 +0000

The China-Africa Children Summer Camp themed “ Love in the Sunshine” which brought together 60 young people from Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and China, living with or infected by HIV, opened July 29 at their esplanade called the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Held in the presence of dignitaries such as the First Lady of China Peng Liyuan the First Lady of South Africa Thobeka Madiba-Zuma as well as the Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé and the Director-General of the World Health Organization Magaret Chan, the issues at stake was to protect, show love and to sensitize the world to minimize stigmatization and discrimination faced by the children infected by the virus.
The Chinese First Lady who has always championed this cause in China told participants saying it was a dream come true bringing together children infected by HIV in China with those from Africa. “I am very happy that we can be here together”, said Madam Peng.
As part of the highlights of the occasion, UNAIDS and a Chinese media organization Xinhua News Agency distributed to participants an award winner called “the Bravest Boy I know” that won first prize in the Popular Medicine category of the British Medical Association in September 2015. It is a heart-warming tale of facing HIV in a positive way, filled with a fact sheet on children and HIV and will also act as a discussion guide for teachers and careers.
“This book is a valuable tool to help parents, teachers and careers explain the complex and emotional issues surrounding HIV to children in their care. Every child deserves to feel protected and loved and to experience a childhood free of stigma and discrimination and every child living with HIV must have access to treatment,” remarked UNAIDS Executive Director Sidibé who brought 16- year old Julia from Ghana, adding “This is an opportunity to say thank you to all of you for your bravery and let you know that we love you and believe in you”.
As for Mrs. Zuma, “this summer camp offers our children a rare opportunity to visit this beautiful country and to share experiences to inspire and strengthen one another”. 2015 statistics estimate that only 50% of the 1.8million children under 15 living with the virus worldwide take antiretrovirals. Meanwhile, 150.000 added to that number in same year.

The dignitaries among HIV-infected children Mme. Peng and M. Sidibé (center)

The post China joins Africa to denounce stigmatization of HIV infected children appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

Fashion tips: How to dress for church

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 13:25:53 +0000

The dressing in our churches today is a cause for concern, as some people; especially youths have failed to distinguish the church house from night clubs and snack bars.
We find girls with very tight and body-hugging dresses that leave nothing to the imagination, others resort to very short dresses or dresses that even show a lot of skin; this might be a little distracting to fellow church members or even the priest.
Dress code is a familiar and frequently used term. It means people should wear different dresses matching to different occasions and environment.
The first thing to note on somebody’s dress for church is decency! When we talk of decency, it does not mean that one should put on a big gown or wrap their hair with a big headscarf .But ones dress should be soothing, modest and attractive.
Care should be taken to cover the chest, and other sensitive parts that might provoke unpleasant reactions or send a wrong message to others.

Your dressing should satisfy the desired norms of decency.
“Don’t forget your dressing determines who you are”.

The post Fashion tips: How to dress for church appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

Rio Olympics 2016: Usain Bolt wins 100m gold, Justin Gatlin second

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 13:08:02 +0000

Bolt, 29, ran 9.81 seconds in his final Olympics to replicate his success at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Twice banned for doping offences, Gatlin was 0.08 seconds behind Bolt, with Canada’s Andre de Grasse in third.
“Somebody said I can become immortal,” said Bolt. “Two more medals to go and I can sign off. Immortal.”
De Grasse took bronze in a personal best of 9.91, ahead of Bolt’s Jamaican team-mate Yohan Blake.
There was no British interest in Sunday’s showpiece as CJ Ujah and James Dasaolu were eliminated in the semi-finals.
Bolt remains on target to leave Rio with a third successive Olympic treble, having won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles in 2008 and 2012.
“It wasn’t perfect today, but I got it done and I’m pretty proud of what I’ve achieved,” he said. “Nobody else has done it or even attempted it.
“I expected to go faster, but I’m happy that I won. I did what I had to.”
Bolt was slower out of the blocks than 34-year-old Gatlin, who was aiming to regain the title he won at Athens 2004.
But the Jamaican surged through from 60 metres to pass Gatlin and comfortably win his seventh Olympic gold.
Bolt received a hero’s reception as he walked out into Rio’s Olympic Stadium before the race – and the crowd chanted his name after his victory, too.
“It wasn’t about the time, it was just about winning the gold and going out on top,” said Michael Johnson, four-time Olympic champion.
Bolt, who said in February he would retire from athletics after the 2017 World Championships, competes in qualifying for the men’s 200 on Tuesday, with the 4x100m relay beginning on Friday.
The world record holder at 100m and 200m showed an expectant Rio crowd he was in great shape by clocking a season’s best 9.86 in his semi-final.
The sport’s greatest showman then produced an even better run when it really mattered to send the Olympic Stadium into raptures.

“After the semi-final, I felt extremely good,” Bolt added.
“I wanted to run faster but with the turnaround time – we normally have two hours but we had one hour 20 minutes – it was challenging. This is what we train for. I told you guys I was going to do it. Stay tuned. Two more to go.”

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt became the first athlete to win three Olympic 100m titles by beating American Justin Gatlin to gold at Rio 2016.

The post Rio Olympics 2016: Usain Bolt wins 100m gold, Justin Gatlin second appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

Three days after Stephen Keshi, Nigeria loses another former coach

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:56:54 +0000

The technical director of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), and former coach of the Super Eagles, Shuaibu Amodu, has died, the NFF announced early Saturday.
Mr. Amodu, a four-time coach of the national team, passed on on Friday night shortly after complaining of chest pain, the NFF said in a post on its Twitter handle. He was 58.
Mr. Amodu was appointed technical director of the Eagles in April 2016.
His death came as the nation is still reeling from the loss of Stephen Keshi, the country’s football legend, who died three days before, aged 54.

The post Three days after Stephen Keshi, Nigeria loses another former coach appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

Strategies for sustainable use of bamboo and rattan in Africa adopted

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:43:00 +0000

Minister Ngole Philip Ngwese reassuring gov’t’s efforts in bamboo and rattan development

The maiden edition of Regional Conference on bamboo and rattan has ended in Cameroon’s political capital Yaoundé with experts recommending that bamboo and rattan be developed and used for sustainability by Africans. Placed under the distinguished patronage of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, the two-day conference that held at the Yaoundé Mont Febe Hotel last August 11 and 12 was chaired by the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Ngole Philip Ngwese in the presence of the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of the Commonwealth, Dion Ngute Joseph and Secretary of State at the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife and a good number of foreign delegations.

Speaking at the occasion, Forestry and Wildlife Minister, Ngole Philip Ngwese stressed that “we need to create a veritable synergy in our Region so that the culture of bamboo and rattan be implanted in our African culture. While reassuring that Cameroon will implement the recommendations adopted by experts at the end of their brainstorming in Yaoundé, Minister Ngole Philip Ngwese urged participating countries to make sure they put into practice lessons and experiences received at the conference.
Participants said by accepting that the conference be placed under his patronage, President Paul Biya indicated that Cameroon is ready for a national bamboo and rattan programme.
After decrying that bamboo and rattan are hardly used by Africans, experts recommended that investment on bamboo and rattan be encouraged in Africa as well as its use by Africans.
Giving an inaugural lecture, the trainer from IMBAR based in China, Mrs Jin Wei said the three aspects of the training notably Bamboo plant and furniture, bamboo plantation and Bamboo construction will enable the trainees explore various possibilities of bamboo which is conducive to the ecology, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, income and job generation as well as improvement of livelihoods. The training, she recalled is the first of its type since Cameroon signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IMBAR in November 25 2013.
Speaking at the workshop, the Director for the Promotion and Transformation of Forestry Products, Mahamat Habibou underscored that the transformation of Bamboo gives rise to 1500 products touching all aspects of human life and accounts for over 60 billion US Dollars in world trade, ahead of banana.
It was disclosed that since 2010 over 200 Cameroonian stakeholders of the bamboo and rattan sector have been trained by IMBAR which is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 41 member states, 80 per cent of which are African States. One of IMBAR’s priorities is to provide tailored and targeted services to member countries to promote the recognition of Bamboo and Rattan in the national economy and in the developmental and social agenda.

The post Strategies for sustainable use of bamboo and rattan in Africa adopted appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

Prophets predict doom for Cameroon

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:37:38 +0000

– Apostle Johnson Suleman makes terrifying prophecy against Cameroon, sees Massive explosions
– Prophets Chirac says Mount Cameroon will erupt

Apostle Johnson Suleman, the founder of Omega Fire and Miracles Ministries, based in Auchi, Edo State in Nigeria said, Sunday, August 14, 2016, during a live service that Cameroonians will be experiencing a tragic explosion soon.
The televangelist noted for such prophecies said there will be an explosion in Cameroon in which many people will be killed and that Syria will experience the same calamity on the same day.
“…Please pray for Cameroon. What I am seeing now, we have to pray for Cameroon so that the country will not cry. I see something explode…plenty people die,” Apostle Suleman said in a prophecy.
He added that the explosions that will occur in Cameroon will also happen in Syria on the same day, though he fell short of going into specifics.
Hear him: “We are going to pray. The same thing I see in Syria, multiple explosions as in Cameroon, on the same day. Open your mouths and pray for those countries. Let God arise. Pray for the nation of Cameroon, all the municipalities, all the quarters. Let God protect. Let those [evil] people be exposed.”
Suleman holds that when God speaks, no matter how it is interpreted, it will come to pass.
Prophet Chirac Nyenti Tiku, Pastor of the Author of Solution Parish Muyuka in a prophecy, published in The SUN No. 0391 on August 1, said Mount Cameroon will erupt before the year 2016 goes memory lane.
Chirac said God revealed to him in a vision on July 21 that the highest peak in West Africa, which last erupted in 1999, will erupt again with untold casualties.
“On July 21, while I was sleeping after praying throughout the night, I had a revelation from God. I saw Mount Cameroon erupting. This eruption was greater than the last eruption we witnessed. I witnessed the last eruption and I can tell you that what I saw was heavier,” the prophet said.
He said God told him to pray as a way of limiting the casualties in the event where the Mountain erupts. “When God reveals, He has the power to redeem. If we only pray, God will be able to do something. In the revelation, God pointed out that the eruption will take place before the end of this year, though he did not give the exact date,” Tiku said.
The Prophet warned that “Prophecy is not entertainment. Let’s take it seriously. I don’t speak on my own. I speak God’s word. I have been in the prophecy ministry since 2007. I have been operating under the gift.”
Chirac Nyenti Tiku says the name “prophet” is not a title but a responsibility. Growing up as a vagabond, he says God called him to the prophecy ministry and he has since remained committed to the call.
However, on Sunday, August 14, 2016, Apostle Johnson Suleman, apparently confirmed Prophet Chirac’s prophecy.
Suleman talked of a large explosion that will claim lives; a large explosion could well be an eruption of Mount Cameroon as predicted by Prophet Chirac two weeks ago.
Whether it turns out to be the same prophecy or distinct revelations, one thing is clear, that Cameroonians should pray for the unknown because a “tragic explosion” could be a shakeup of the state structure or a change in the country’s leadership.
Hon. Joseph Mbah Ndam, Vice President of the National Assembly and Frontline Adherent of the opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF, has predicted doom for Cameroon should President Paul Biya leave power.
“The post Biya era is foreseeable because nothing lasts forever. You cannot fool all the people all the time. There will come a time when the people will say enough is enough. That time will come,” Mbah Ndam had told The SUN.
He described the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM as a jungle held together by the party’s national chairman, Paul Biya. To him, should Biya lose his grip on power, the CPDM will split into several other parties, or may even become extinct.
As predicted by Apostle Suleman, an explosion could well come from the militant group, Boko Haram. Their last suicide mission in Cameroon is known to have taken place on June 30 this year claiming 11 lives.

The post Prophets predict doom for Cameroon appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

Pentecostals are a dangerous group – Prof. Emmanuel Yenshu, Sociologist

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:32:53 +0000

“Pentecostals are a dangerous group. They breed intolerance. When you can’t understand another person, it is dangerous because you stop short of going to war with that person.”
Emmanuel Yenshu Vubo, Professor of Sociology at the University of Buea tells The SUN that the only difference between Pentecostals and the Boko Haram sect is that they have not taken up arms to install their beliefs.
He says Pentecostals are a new religious group that is revivalist and come up with the traditional argument that people must live pure lives.
“…They are a brand of puritans. The other brand of puritans is evangelicals who argue that we must follow only the gospel as Jesus Christ preached. Evangelical puritans include among others the Presbyterians, Baptist and Methodist,” Yenshu says.
He adds that Pentecostals are a renewal group who believe in the Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit can change lives.
The sociology professor posits that Pentecostals are intolerant and some even go to the extent to argue that faith is not compatible with science and will resist blood transfusion.
“The puritans are intolerant towards others. If taken to the extreme form, like does Pentecostalism, anything that is not theirs is considered evil. They have a term for it which does not exist in the bible. They call it “Paganism”. Paganism is part of the dichotomy between people. This breeds a form of intolerance.”
“In that light, the attitude of Boko Haram which says we should not learn western education is very much the same like the Pentecostals who say that we should not follow traditional customs. Anyone who accepts Pentecostalism considers every other person a pagan,” Yenshu opines.
He insists that Pentecostals are intolerant and that their difference with Boko Haram is that they have not taken guns to war to oblige others to follow their idea.
Hear him: “This intolerance is not good for our society. If I am doing something that you don’t understand, instead of understanding it, you brand it and create an ideological wall against it. We are living in a plural world where many people believe in different things. What you believe in is competing with what others believe in.”
Yenshu advises traditional rulers – Fons and Chiefs – not to get too strongly into politics and religion because “Politics and religion divides people”.
Yenshu says “Fons should not get into the issues of politics and religion. A Fon should have his political and religious leanings as private engagements. We should take the new religions with caution not to divide our communities.”
He condemned the recent chieftaincy squabbles in Bangolan Village and the destruction of a sacred tree in Bafut purportedly by a prophet.
“When somebody goes to Bafut and destroys a sacred tree, or goes to Bangolan to destroy a sacred stone, that is intolerance because those things have not killed anybody. Those are mere symbols of tradition. What will happen to someone who burns the national flag? Such a person will be imprisoned.
Fons have to know that they are the symbol of their tradition. As individuals, they can choose to have faith in some other religion as an individual but respect the beliefs of all others.
“You either leave the throne or practice Christianity or you make a few modifications to tradition and practice both,” Yenshu advises.
He says you cannot guide the stool with its traditional privileges and want to refuse the obligations.
To Pentecostal leaders, Yenshu says “a convert of a church should not be advised to renounce something. The Ten Commandments in the bible are clear about what we should do. They talk about not worshipping other gods. You should not cancel every other thing because you are the Fon.”

The post Pentecostals are a dangerous group – Prof. Emmanuel Yenshu, Sociologist appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

How the BICEC quartet succeeded to embezzle FCFA 50 billion

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:15:21 +0000

National and international banking community was last Tuesday, August 9 hit with the news of the arrest of four individuals accused of siphoning the sum of FCFA 50 billion from BICEC during the period running from 2003 to 2015.Their arrest was ordered by the Wouri High Court and they have been placed under detention awaiting trial at the New Bell central prison
The four accused are: the former deputy general manager Leopold Innocent ONDOA NKOU, Samuel NGANDO MBONGUE, former chief accountant at BICEC and two external elements : Benoit EKOKA a chattered account and Martin NYAMSI the CEO of INTERFACE a service provider to the BICEC Cameroon.
These four are accused of fraud, impersonation, over billing, ordering the settlement of bills to ghost suppliers amongst others. They are believed to have formed a strong fraud network which caused the bank to lose huge amounts of its liquidity.
The alarm sounded by the new Managing Director, French-born Alain RIPERT immediately he took over office early 2016 as he demanded for an external audit when he realized a weakness in the internal audit. It is also worth noting that, the pan African magazine Jeune Afrique had earlier published claims bringing out mass financial mismanagement at BICEC earlier. Together with the Managing Director’s request, the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC) also ordered an indepth audit of this financial house. It was at the end of these audits that the network of financial fraud was unmasked.
As immediate consequence, the deputy general manger was forced to resign mid this year and was replaced by Mrs. KONDO Isabelle. Report also revealed that, the ex deputy GM had earlier fled the country to Sao Tome and Principe but was forced to return to Cameroon by INTERPOOL.
As a result of this financial scandal revealed by the audits, BICEC filed a case at the Wouri High Court in March 20016. Further investigation led to the arrest of these four last Tuesday evening.
It is worth noting that between 2003 and 2015 when these crimes are said to have been committed, BICEC Cameroon has had four general managers of French origin and none of them noticed anything with respect to what is making news today. Besides, the board of directors meetings has been holding on a regular bases and management accounts validated. The last straw which seems to have broken the camel’s back was a strike action by employees of the said bank early this year demanding the payment of their annual benefits owed them by the bank.
It was then that concerns of insufficient liquidity were raised. It took the intervention of the minister of labour and social security, Gregoire OWONA for dust to settle.
This unfortunate situation has led to the temporary closure of many micro finance institutions as well as commercial banks.

The post How the BICEC quartet succeeded to embezzle FCFA 50 billion appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

Child Labour reaches worrisome levels in Kumba

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 11:10:09 +0000

Despite government effort to protect the right of the child against harsh and inhuman treatments such as child labour and child exploitation a high degree of child exploitation, still exist in most of the towns and cities in the country especially, Kumba, the chief town of Meme Division.
It is customary in Kumba, to see children below the age of 14 hocking the on streets carrying various items such as groundnuts, snails, boiled eggs, cold water, ‘bitter cola’ and a host of others for sale. This situation is even worst during the months of June to September when these children are on long holidays and are even found during the late hours of the day in bars and the streets carrying items that are times are more than their capacity.
A one-on-one interview with some of these children revealed that most of them are being compelled to sell these items by their guardians or relatives who in one way or the other help in their education as well as their well-being and few by their biological parents. Most of them selling during the late hours of the day said they are compelled to finish selling everything before coming to the house if not they will be well beating.
In an exclusive interview with The SUN, on June 9, 2016 the Meme Divisional Delegate Social Affairs, Edouard Kengue stated that the laws of Cameroon protect the child below 14years against child labour and exploitation.
He added that 70percent of children exposed to this treatment either leave with their step parents or distant relative while the remaining 30 percent leave with their biological parents. He however, mentioned that child labour and exploitation in our country can be viewed positively in the domain of socialization and to teach the child the need to struggle but becomes a problem when the time factor is not respected since these children are not protected when they are on the streets and the quantity of goods they carry to sell impinges on their health and growth.
Talking about the measures put in place against child labour and exploitation, the delegate mentioned that at the international level
the United Nations Convention of the right of the child, the protection of the African Child, the 2011 law on child trafficking and the Cameroonian constitution and penal code at the national level. In 2014, the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Meme Koulbout Aman David issued a decision banning minors from hawking around the streets especially during the late hours of the day, but the project later died down because there was no multi-disciplinary approach to it, since one ministerial department cannot fight against child labour and exploitation. The multi-disciplinary team should involve the forces of law and order, the administration, technical department which include the Divisional Delegations of Labour and Social Security, Women Empowerment and the Family, Youth and Civic Education, the State Counsel, the media as well as the general public.

The post Child Labour reaches worrisome levels in Kumba appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

Cameroon Bar Association seeks stronger role in development

Eyong Kevin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 10:57:30 +0000

The twin ordinary and extraordinary Session of the General Assembly of the BAR Association held Saturday May 21 at the Castel Hall, in Douala. This meeting among other objectives is as a result of the last which did not have a quorum. The attendance this time was massive so issues related to their profession, the practice of law in Cameroon like organic law, projects like the land acquired for a multipurpose secretariat, the peace fullness of the Bar its sustainability, and the budget were to be discussed.
In the presence of the direct representative of the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals the Procuror-General of the Littoral Region, Mr. Awana, the President of the Bar and other legal minds, the President of the General Assembly NICO Halle in an emotional speech started by thanking God for those who were in attendance stating that their presence was an eloquent testimony of their attachment to the Bar Association. He added that for them to have given time and sacrificed their resources to be present, was heart-warming.
He went on to say that a nation is built by a few who sacrifice, for if you wait for others the desired goals will be a failure. Nico Halle cited President Kennedy during his swearing in occasion on February 20, 1961 where he said a citizen should not ask what the country has done for him or her but rather what he or she will contribute for the nation. So, he urged everyone to contribute financially and other wise towards the growth of the profession.
The president of the General Assembly observed in concrete terms that in Cameroon, a lawyer’s role has been reduced to going to court but now let the lawyer now start by socializing occasionally to have some relaxation from a very excruciating profession, in order to inculcate the spirit of brotherhood. A lawyer, he went on is supposed to be an indispensible part of the development process of the nation or its very foundation. “Take away the lawyer; there will be no justice no law, no harmony and no development”.
He praised government for having organized the just ended Cameroon Investment Forum through the initiative of the Head of state but politely criticized the fact that lawyers who are key to explain to foreign investors that their business will be very secure, explain the investment charter, and other rights and obligations, were not invited, for example. Like a teacher, he said that 80% of the parliament in the UK or the congress in America is made of lawyers. So lawyers in Cameroon should be given the opportunity to contribute to nation-building. He emphasized that there is no component in this nation that does not require lawyers so lawyers should be at the forefront of investment issues in the country, because lawyers have to present to investors the legal framework. Nico Halle then called on lawyers once more to start speaking freely and directly and not indirectly. He called on the Minister’s representative to take this message to him.
To his colleagues he said that to fulfill these roles, lawyers need to be an example in society. He clarified that one who has studied law up to the level of PHD or Doctorate and does not practice is not a lawyer. So, he called on lawyers who derail from their ethics to build credibility and integrity by avoiding shady deals, backstabbing, defamation, blackmailing and hatred. He invoked the Holy Spirit to help them abandon this behavior. He said they have to be accountable and transparent to each other and in whatever they are doing. The President of the General Assembly asked everyone to embrace diplomacy instead of confrontation.
Some of the projects he listed were that to edify the Bar , land has been acquired in Yaoundé where a multipurpose centre for the Bar will be constructed instead of renting places. Nico Halle recognized the efforts of colleagues like Monte, Chingam and Eta Bisong for grooming advocates into the profession. He also recognized the efforts of all those who have been instrumental in proposing ideas which will help to strengthen the growth and image of the profession.
In his speech, the representative of the of the Minister encouraged lawyers to go into such projects that will change opinions to show that the profession is getting serious and advised lawyers to live according to their ethics or imitate proper role models.

Family photo at Castel HallPress briefing with General Assembly President

The post Cameroon Bar Association seeks stronger role in development appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.