OJ SLIM MEDIA

With the North-West Region now experiencing the second wave of COVID-19, the Municipal Magistrate of Wum Council, Mr. Dighambong Anthony Mvo, has called on residents of his municipality, to make sure they are doing all they can to slow the rate of infection, and to protect each other, by systematically putting on their face masks, washing their hands regularly with soap and runny water, and by respecting social distancing at all time. He made this call, while chairing a mass distribution of face masks to inhabitants of his municipality. In total, over 5,000 face masks have been distributed by the Wum Council, mostly to young people. The Mayor also reassured Wum denizens that efforts are being made to step up the fight against this deadly pandemic. He reminded them that the global pandemic is not yet over. As such, preventive measures like social distancing, washing of hands, sanitizing of hands and appropriate wearing of face mask. Mayor Dighambong Anthony Mvo said: "The situatio...

The PC Naikom women’s center, in Wum, Menchum Division of the North West Region, played host to a one day workshop on the training of over thirty community based leaders (CBLS), on monitoring public investment projects. Organized by the North-West Association of Development Organizations NWADO, the workshop falls within the ambit of the Active Citizenship Strengthening Program (PROCIVIS) in Cameroon, and was held under the thematic of “ Strengthening civil society in the formulation and monitoring of public policy and the promotion of the rule of law and peace”. The raison d’être of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of Community Based Leaders (CBLs) to monitor public investment projects in their communities and carry out whistle blowing on wrong doings in the execution of public contracts. It also aimed at increasing the knowledge of CBLs on techniques of monitoring public investment projects, enable them understand and access on sim tools for project monitoring as well as p...

The Colbert Factor: How Peterkins Manyong, Publisher/Editor, The Independent Observer, Finally Gains Total Independence This reflection is inspired by a discussion I once had with Peterkins Manyong, while alive, to the effect that despite the fact that he was running his own media outfit, most newspaper publishers still wanted him to run columns in their newspapers, to the extent that his reluctance would lead to a clash with them, and he wondered why they could not understand that he needed to concentrate on his own creation, The Independent Observer. In a bid to assert that independence he took time explaining to me why he named his media outfit, The Independent Observer, because he wanted to be totally independent, both in modus operandi and in modus vivandi, not like Southern Cameroons that decided to become independent by joining La Republique du Cameroun, wondering aloud why someone would decide to become independent by joining another person. It is the more informed by the fac...

The Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of defense has condemned what she calls " intolerable acts ", committed by defense and security forces, on a victim named Jean Fai Fungong, in Ndu, Donga Mantung Division of the North-West Region. In a Press Release dated February 15, 2021, the Head of the Communication Division at the Ministry of defense, Navy Captain  Atonfack Guemo Cyrile Serges, reassures the national opinion, that the perpetrators of such shameful acts have been identified, and the law will follow its course. The perpetrators are two gendarmes, two soldiers and four police officers, who after interrogating the victim, had him well beaten. ENTERS BATIBO WAHALA In another Press Release, the Head of the Communication Division at the Ministry of defense, has denied the involvement of defense and security forces in the barbarism perpetrated in Batibo on February 11 2021. According to Navy Captain Atonfack Guemo Cyrile Serges, this other episod of the horrendous ...

The Governor of the North-West Region, Adolphe Lélé Lafrique, has called on the population of the Region, to be more vigilant in the fight against COVID-19, as a new wave of the pandemic sweeps across the Region, with an alarming rate.  He made the call in a Communiqué, signed February 12 2021, after chairing an advocacy meeting. The Communiqué also calls on Media Practitioners and bloggers to beef up sensitization so that together, we can combat the pandemic. The population of the North-West Region will have to go back to the old tradition of the systematic wearing of face mask, washing of hands with runny water and soap and the strict respect of social distancing and at all times. It's clear that with the reemergence of the pandemic, there is urgent need to be more vigilant. This second wave is led by Mezam, Boyo, Ngoketunjia and Donga Mantung Divisions, with the city of Bamenda being the epicentre of the pandemic. COVID-19 is real. Stay safe to safe more lives.

The President of the Republic H.E Paul Biya, in his traditional address to the youths of Cameroon on February 10, 2021 on the occasion of the 55th edition of the Youth day under the theme "Youth, Resilience, Challenges and Opportunities in times of Covid-19", began by appreciating Cameroon for the successful organization of the 6th edition of the Total African Nations Championship (CHAN).  According to the President, Cameroon played host to young African spotters, who had the opportunity to commune with Cameroonians who showcased the legendary hospitality of the Nation.  "Giving the successful organization of the sporting event, I feel like saying that 2021 is beginning on a positive note for our youths. And I hope that this breath of fresh air will rekindle lasting hope in everyone of you."  In 2022, Cameroon will host Africa again, this time for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the president said that, despite the difficult economic situation in the Country, Cam...

Two female aid workers and two internally displaced persons IDPs, spoke to OJSLIM MEDIA about their experiences of sexual harassment, violence and even rape while working and assisting displaced persons and living in a makeshift refugee camp respectively. Aid agencies and nongovernmental organizations are slowly beginning to recognize that sexual exploitation and abuse against vulnerable persons and persons displaced because of conflict, is a serious problem within the industry, and that perpetrators are often men holding senior positions. It is in line with these abhorrent acts that this publication, powered by The Society for the Promotion of Initiatives in Sustainable Development and Welfare SOPISDEW, the Cameroon Community Media Network CCMN with support from the International Council of Voluntary Agencies ICVA, seeks to lift the lid on the problem, collecting survey data from hundreds of victims and survivors. The results reveal that sexual harassment, unwanted touching, sexual c...

Rise oh SPESA Rise! A great baobab has fallen! Its leaves are turning yellow.  The branches are cracking under the harmattan sun. No more shelter from the green leaves that spread wide across the ocean, from continent to continent. No more stories told as we sat on the protruding roots of its enormous trunk filled with knowledge and experience. Oh how green we were! laughing at the stories told and like doubting Thomas mocking at the visions he painted for us. Visions of royalty just like the purple it made us wear. Chances . Oh so many chances just like Saul on the way to Damascus. Hope in a generation denied its right to blossom.It was relentless in its quest to make us see just how powerful we are. Many years after we had tasted the fruit. Listened to the stories found solace in its strong branches we returned for more. This time not as green as we were but as men and women who have finally understood all what it tried to teach us. We yearned still for that shelter for that wisdom o...

From household to office and medical equipment, the eleven groups that were identified by the Bihndumlem Humanitarian Association of Peace and Hope, BIHAPH, in collaboration with the Crossroads foundation Hong Kong, went home with strings of smiles on their faces, and joy in their hearts, as they received a variety of gifts comprised of computers, dresses medical equipment to assist the Wum district hospital for maximum health care provision for the satisfaction of the patients. To some schools, a couple of benches were given in order to salvage the poor sitting conditions of the children. While donating the material, the CEO of BIHAPH, a humanitarian non-governmental organization, laid emphasis on the need for all to cultivate the spirit of sharing especially with the needy. Quoting from the Gospel according to St. Luke 6:38, " Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you...

        The Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum Division, Abdoullahi Aliou, has launched the Youth day manifestations in Wum, Menchum Divisional Headquarters. Paying homage to the fallen sons and daughters, as well as defense and security officers, during the ongoing Anglophone crisis. The SDO noted that the crisis has had a negative impact on the youths. He was happy that youths could gather as they did today Thursday, February 4th 2021, to take part in the sport walk and the launching. Sport walk along some streets in Wum. Given the difficulties faced by the Youths of his administrative unit of Command, the SDO for Menchum Division, exhorted these youths not to be discouraged, but rather have a positive spirit as there are many opportunities to grab. The SDO enjoined the youths to integrate voluntary and benevolent notions, and shun acts that degrade the minds and bodies such as alcoholism, drug consumption, terrorism and disrespect of national symbols. Loh Odet...