Conversation betweenNguelemedouga & Cappolytree

Nguelemedouga interjected: “Be very clear Cappolytree. And please I don’t want proverbs in our conversation”. And like a child, Cappolytree, an exuberant burly responded: “all right boss”. And he added: “I am going to use one stone to kill two birds”. Nguelemedouga interrupted him again: “I have warned you not spice our conversation of today with any proverbs”. “Ok!” Cappolytree replied. And he went on: “I am going to be very clear and direct”. “That is good. Now, tell me what and how you want me to help you, as a brother as you are claiming?” Nguelemedouga asked Cappolytree. “Ok!” Cappolytree answered and said: “I want to become the MP of Nyanon and the fact that, you are welcoming every one here with pomp and fanfare and I am considered not worth a fly, makes me to panic. If I am not elected MP, I think I will be on the highway to jail, provided the radar of the fight against corruption locates me.” “It will locate you never mind”. Nguelemedouga told Cappolytree.

And he added: “is it because you want to become an MP by all means that, instead of coming here to let me know you decided to write long petition letters to Yaoundé against me?” Cappolytree could not respond but was instead apologetic. He mumbled: “Forgive me.” “That is not how you have to apologise. Especially that, I am older than you. You also know that, before you could come here and confess today, I knew before you why you would do anything in order to become an MP of this sub district. You also know this district was created for you”. Nguelemedouga told Cappolytree. Cappolytree was impressed at the depth of information that, Nguelemedouga had on him. He sat for a while motionless in the sofa of the office of Nguelemedouga and then rose up and said to the sub district officer: “Thank you very much for having accepted to welcome me. I won’t waste your precious time. Here is something for you and your family.” Cappolytree open his wallet and gave the sub district officer the sum of CFA France 2 million. The sub district officer did not say thank you but said: “now that, you have behaved well, I can assure you today that, you will be in the Glass House at next June’s secession.” Cappolytree left but was not very confident, he still thought of contacting a stand by team of lawyers in case, Nguelemedouga doesn’t honour his promise and thus, he is not elected into parliament and the dragnet of the anticorruption machine catches him. What he did not know was that, Nguelemedouga was a man of word. He made everything possible in order for Cappolytree to be elected into parliament, but in a clean way. He was not a brutal electoral fraud, as most of his colleagues were. His stratagem to enable Cappolytree to win the parliamentary seat of Nyanon was a weapon of massive disinformation.

elie-smithsstory: Facing the reality of CRTV & Cameroon

elie-smithsstory: Facing the reality of CRTV & Cameroon

The meeting in Nyanon between Nguelemedouga & Cappolytree

For all the petition letters written against Nguelemedouga, and petition writing being one of the specialities of Cappolytree and also that of people of his region and which could change the career of any civil servants in the area, had little or no effect on Nguelemedouga. Even though disappointed at his low level reception, Cappolytree fought to put on an Olympian calm, and walked into the reception room of the office of the sub district officer, made himself known to the secretary and sat in the sofa like all other people who had an appointment with the representative of the government in the area. After Nguelemedouga had received all those who were there before Cappolytree, the secretary of the boss of the sub district called out the name of Cappolytree and informed him that, it was his turn. He rose up and walked into the office where Nguelemedouga was standing at the centre of his office. They saluted each other, and then Nguelemedouga signalled to Cappolytree to have a seat. They did not exchange pleasantries and Nguelemedouga began attacking Cappolytree verbally: “Do you think that, I will support a fraudster to a point of supporting him to be elected Member of Parliament?” Cappolytree could not even open his mouth to respond. Nguelemedouga bombarded him again: “I have a lot of information concerning you and I have also been informed in detail on all the petitions you and your brothers have written concerning me. But I will want to remind you that, I am a native Beti and I have worked in areas of this country that are more dangerous than this one”. He continued: “I am therefore not one bit impressed by you or your brothers. Whatever I plan to do, I will do it and I am here to serve the state and not the CPDM party or the head of state”. He concluded: “I am not a politician, but a civil servant.”

If Cappolytree doubted that Nguelemedouga despised him, he now had an opportunity to authenticate it. Shocked, as he was the only thing he could do was not to counter attack but try to calm the inflamed sub district officer and also try to create an opportunity for friendship. Cappolytree told Nguelemedouga: “calm down boss”. And he jokingly added: “You that, you Betis were ours slaves in the past before the White men came and remember, once a slave, a slave remains a slave, even long after he may have won his liberty”. Flattered and impressed by the traits of humour of Cappolytree, Nguelemedouga replied: “No, the Bassas are the ones who were the slaves of the Betis and not the contrary.” Then Cappolytree sensing that, he has destabilised and perhaps succeeded to calm the anger that Nguelemedouga had toward him, he said gently: “I am here to see you as a brother and I know you can help me out”. He continued: “Look, I don’t want Yaoundé to be concern about this. It is a matter between you and me. It is matter that concerns the heart and the toe.” Nguelemedouga interjected: “Be very clear Cappolytree. And please I don’t want proverbs in our conversation”. And like a child, Cappolytree, an exuberant burly responded: “all right boss”. And he added: “I am going to use one stone to kill two birds”. Nguelemedouga interrupted him again: I have warned you not spice our conversation of today with any proverbs. “Ok!” Cappolytree replied. And he went on: “I am going to be very clear and direct”. “That is good. Now, tell me what and how you want me to help you, as a brother as you are claiming?”

elie-smithsstory: The strategy of a Chinese thief

elie-smithsstory: The strategy of a Chinese thief

An excellent administrator called Ngelemedouga

Nguelemedouga was an excellent administrator, who represented the government fully well wherever he was posted. His obsession wherever he was posted, was to make sure that, all government agencies were present and functioning. He acted in the same way in Couseri and he was now acting in the same manner in Nyanon. One thing he fought hard to accomplish was to make the roads into and out of Nyanon, all season roads. For the roads leading into and out of Nyanon were stony and dusty in the dry season and stony and muddy in the raining seasons. Roads in and out of Nyanon had in both seasons, her share of inconvenience that she caused to her users. And Nguelemedouga wanted to help the people by trying to improve the conditions of those roads. He knew more than most, the importance of good roads in the development of the economy of enclave regions like Nyanon. Besides focusing on security and road issues of the sub district, Nguelemedouga also focused on health and education. Hence he encouraged the government to open primary and secondary schools and also a sub district hospital complete with a pharmacy. He also promoted sports and even sponsored a local football team and hand ball teams that was made up of separately of boys and girls teams, which even won the divisional competition.

Although Nguelemedouga was an excellent administrator, who won over the heart of the head state, hence whatever he asked he was given, he nonetheless had one weak point. It was women. Even though he was married and had three children amongst which was the brilliant Risdoh, Nguelemedouga could not see a woman and control himself and such a mannerism in Bassaland, was tantamount to walking on a tightrope, without protective nets beneath. The day that Nguelemedouga proposed to receive Cappolytree for a meeting in his office came and the businessman, put up an impressive motorcade made up of Japanese made four wheel drive cars and rode into Nyanon. Cappolytree thought that, he will be welcomed by Nguelemedouga at the bridge which served as entrance into Nyanon. The Nyanon bridge links Nyanon sub district to Ngambe sub district, and as the tradition requires, the sub district officer goes to the bridge, to welcome dignitaries coming to visit the locality. Even though Nguelemedouga did not go to welcome Cappolytree, he had made a ritual, since he was appointed sub district officer to go and welcome at the Nyanon Bridge, all dignitaries even leaders of the smallest political party who was in the sub district to stage a political rally. Cappolytree was not welcomed into the sub district at the Nyanon Bridge, as the tradition requires, he was not also welcomed either at the entrance of the office of the sub district building by the sub district officer Mr Nguelemedouga, but by one of his designated clerk. Cappolytree was not happy, for it was another snub from the sub district officer. But he was not surprised and could not do anything.

elie-smithsstory: Talla Todem

elie-smithsstory: Talla Todem

elie-smithsstory: Jean Pierre Effouba Onana

elie-smithsstory: Jean Pierre Effouba Onana

elie-smithsstory: Nyoh Moses

elie-smithsstory: Nyoh Moses

elie-smithsstory: CRTV Douala: a school of life

elie-smithsstory: CRTV Douala: a school of life

The problems of Cappolytree in Nyanon

Besides all the problems that Cappolytree had, he also hated and despised the sub district officer Mr Nguelemedouga. But he had no alternative than to visit Nguelemedouga in his office. But Nguelemedouga was a sub district officer who likes administrative procedures to be respected to the letter and for nothing in the world will he default on any of them. He applied the rule on Cappolytree very well. One morning, Cappolytree took his car and decided to visit Nguelemedouga in his office without prior notification, but he was not received. Instead, the sub district officer via his secretary informed Cappolytree that, any high profile visitor who wanted to see him for private or official matters, must inform him in writing, stating clearly, the purpose of his visit and the day, date and month, which the said visitor or visitors wanted to be received by the sub district officer. Cappolytree could not believe what his ears had heard from the secretary of a person in whose waiting hall, he was sitting and expecting to be received. It was the first time that, such as happened to Cappolytree and he was furious. But he could not express his anger openly for fear that, Nguelemedouga presented as a sub district officer with strong links with the head of state could scuttle his chances of being elected into parliament. He left the office of the sub district officer annoyed and also concluded that, his days as an influential but corrupt rich man may be counted.

He started thinking of finding contacts of high profile lawyers, whom he will hire in case, he is arrested and charged for corruption as the government, in a bid to appease the Americans, the British, the Dutch and the Germans was at present doing. But in his car, he concluded that, before contacting any lawyer, what he first had to do was to respect the procedure laid down by Nguelemedouga. And he also said: after all, I have heard rumours and seen list of those susceptible to fall in the net currently cast by the government in her selective fight against corruption, but I have seen mind nor heard my names. Calling a lawyer and telling him or asking him to be on stand by might give an impression that, I am afraid or fearing something. Cappolytree therefore decided when he reached his home, to write a letter to the sub district officer of Nyanon, informing him of the motive of his desired visit and the day and month he would like such to hold. Immediately he had finish writing the letter, he gave it to one of his orderly to take to the officer of the sub district officer.

That same evening, Nguelemedouga saw and read the letter of Cappolytree requesting to be received. He decided to reply. He rejected the date, day and mouth proposed by Cappolytree. But as a seasoned administrator, Nguelemedouga did not forget to mention in his reply letter to Cappolytree, the reason why he could not receive him. His letter went thus: “The reason why I am not going to receive you on the day and month you have chosen is because, I will be presiding over the installation ceremonies of the new National Gendarmerie Brigade and Customs Officers of Nyanon sub district. As you are well aware, in order for our sub district to be fully operational and this, for the well being of the people and in order to consolidate the presence of the government, all institutions needed for such a locality must be introduced and accompanied in their growth. Hope you won’t be disappointed, but will appreciate what I am doing for your locality and I hope you will also take active part in the development of Nyanon”. Nguelemedouga concluded in his letter to Cappolytree.

elie-smithsstory: Smear campaign, gossips and slander

elie-smithsstory: Smear campaign, gossips and slander

How Cappolytree eluded arrest

But the prospect of Cappolytree’s arrest changed, when he succeeded to use his connections at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and at the Central Committee of the ruling CPDM party to force the head of state to order the redrawing of the electoral constituencies within the Sanaga Maritime division. Those who agitated for the new electoral constituency re-mapping dangled the prospects that, the three factions of the UPC and the radical opposition SDF were on the high way of claiming a landslide at the upcoming municipal and legislative elections in the division. Upon getting such news about Sanaga maritime division, Paul Biya and the ideologues of the regime panicked at the prospects of the warring three factions of the UPC controlling the Sanaga Maritime division with a possibility of the radical dominant English-speaking SDF wining a seat in the division. For such a design would signalled the enlargement of the influence of the Social Democratic Front, that the government has tried to make it look more like an Anglophone based party, whose only national support were the French-speaking Bamilekes of the West province.

The prospect of the SDF making an in road in the Sanaga maritime reminded the regime of the 90’s when the SDF was controlling the greater western provinces of Cameroon (North West, South, West and Littoral provinces). During that period, they went on to win the presidential elections of 1992. Biya’s regime only survived with the support of France. That was how the idea of creating or elevating Nyanon in a sub district and electoral constituency came up and was retained. It was also an opportunity to compensate Cappolytree for financially supporting the government and in particular, the ruling party during her most difficult times. But Biya had other priority, for the survival of his regime rested more on the shoulders of the Americans, who had decided to make a come back on the continent in a bid to counter the Chinese invasion. But the Americans even though they seem to support Paul Biya, nonetheless asked him to fight corruption even in a cosmetic manner. The Americans seem different from the French. Americans do bite, but do also blow some fresh air at the same time. And because of the demands of the Americans, Paul Biya was ready to sacrifice some worst elements of his herd of corrupt supporters in business as well as in politic milieus. Cappolytree was one of those lambs whose sacrifice will do a lot of good to build a good image to the corrupt regime without putting in danger the system. Cappolyree’s heart was racing like that of a track and field athlete. He was nervous as days rolled by and at the same time, Nguelemedouga was glowing with confidence and setting his mark in the sub district and in the division and littoral province in general.

elie-smithsstory: My passage at Cameroon Radio & Television Corporation (CRTV) part 18

elie-smithsstory: My passage at Cameroon Radio & Television Corporation (CRTV) part 18

elie-smithsstory: The reason why I was born in Penja, Littoral province of Cameroon

elie-smithsstory: The reason why I was born in Penja, Littoral province of Cameroon,http://www.thelocal.se/blog/

http://www.thelocal.se/blog/

Paul Biya's reactions

The reaction of the head of state shocked Mr Ndomba and it added to his anxiety, he was now certain that, his days at the post of secretary general of the ruling party were numbered. He picked up his phone and dialed Cappolytree on his mobile phone and told him: “please be calm. This is because, that Nguelemedouga is very powerful and well connected within the presidency of the Republic”. “What do you mean by that?” Mr Cappolytree angrily replied. But Mr Ndomba added: “Listen, the head of state himself has just ringed me and has warned me. He has asked me to cease filing in any report about Nyanon sub district and Mr Nguelemedouga, in particular, to his office. He is happy with the way Nguelemedouga is working there in Nyanon. Therefore, I do not want to loose my post because of you. I have my children and other family members who are relying on me. You will therefore have to fend for yourself during elections and all we can do, is try to influence the results here in Yaoundé at the ministry of Territorial administration. But you must try to help us. That is, by campaigning scrupulously on the field”. Mr Ndomba dropped his phone. Mr Cappolytree was worried; for he was very corrupt, but a prosperous businessman who very much needed to be elected into parliament. This not because he loved his constituency and wanted to help or contribute to develop her as he claims, but more because, he had borrowed a lot of monies from banks and took part or commandeered other illicit businesses, a parliamentary seat was a bulwark against investigations and assured arrest.

He was not the only top-flight Cameroonian businessman who had skeletons in his cupboard. Most businessmen, especially the new generation rich men & women who spurted-out when Biya came to power in 1982 and who easily mixes politics, tribalism with business were in the same state. They use their political connections to borrow monies from banks, and refused to pay back, thus precipitating most Cameroonian banks and other state owned industries into bankruptcy. The government of Paul Biya has given noble status to immoralities and corruption. But Mr Biya was under immense pressure from the Americans, the British, the Netherlands and the Germans to first corruption or looses their support. And Cappolytree knew that, the only means he could elude jail was to be elected into parliament for five years, a position that will grant him automatic immunity, thus shielding him from any judicial pursuits. Since old habits die hard, he also planned that, he would use the mantle of Member of Parliament (MP), to borrow more monies from the few surviving banks and will not pay back. Cappolytree was a good material for the Maximum security Prison of Kondengui in Yaoundé and his arrest which was being rumored would have made good PR stunt for the regime. This would have been so, because it would have been widely relayed in the Press.

elie-smithsstory: My thorny path to secondary education

elie-smithsstory: My thorny path to secondary education

elie-smithsstory: I was not a brilliant pupil or student

elie-smithsstory: I was not a brilliant pupil or student

elie-smithsstory: Misplacement of priorities amongst some Cameroonian parents

elie-smithsstory: Misplacement of priorities amongst some Cameroonian parents

Cameroon's intelligence service in Nyanon to monitor Nguelemedouga

They wormed themselves into the population and took part in all funerals, cultural groups and any other organisation that could exist in such as small village, which has been elevated into a sub district and an electoral constituency. Men of the intelligence service of the presidency of the Republic, dispatched by the president wanted to have the smallest amount information about the sub district officer, for they also wanted to satisfy a president who seldom gives them assignments. They were surprised at how fast Nguelemedouga had won the hearts and minds of the citizens of Nyanon. After their two weeks stay in Nyanon, they concluded that, they had gathered enough information and within which, none was negative about the sub district officer. They therefore decided to go back to Yaoundé and gave a succinct report to the president of the Republic. But while they were on the field, the president had also dispatched a rival service, made up of foreigners who were quick to bring back positive reports about Nguelemedouga.

The head of state had no reason to confront both services, for both had almost the same accounts concerning Nguelemedouga. Mr Biya decided four weeks later to ring the secretary general of his ruling CPDM party, this time around, directly at the home of the second. When Mr Ndomba picked up his phone and discovered that, the speaker was the head of state, he panicked, and he almost had a cardiac arrest. For he thought his boss rang him, to inform him that, he will be relieved from his post. But Ndomba was wrong. The head of state simply told him this: “I don’t want to hear any report about Nguelemedouga anymore. If all civil servants dispatched on the field were excellent administrators as Nguelemedouga is, I am certain that, our party the CPDM, would have been sure to win at least, two parliamentary seats in the North West province and in a clean manner”. And he dropped.

elie-smithsstory: Does the bible discourage secular education?

elie-smithsstory: Does the bible discourage secular education?

elie-smithsstory: Damage that some Jehovah’s Witnesses did to my sister by name Lois

elie-smithsstory: Damage that some Jehovah’s Witnesses did to my sister by name Lois

Nguelemedouga did not only receive Malate, who was the most popular Bassa man in the sub division after Ruben Um Nyobe.

Nguelemedouga did not only receive Malate, who was the most popular Bassa man in the sub division after Ruben Um Nyobe. Mr Um Nyobe was one of the leaders of the UPC who was killed by French soldiers. He (Nguelemedouga) gave authorisation to all factions of the UPC to stage pre-campaign rallies in the sub district. Furthermore, when John Fru Ndi, the chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) visited Nyanon to organise a campaign rally for his party, Nguelemedouga gave his service car to the leader of the largest intra and extra parliamentary opposition political formation of the country. The gesture was to enable him visit remote areas of the sub district and the Ndom sub division. To Mr Cappolytree, that act was enough. He began baying for the blood of Nguelemedouga. Because Nyanon was in Bassaland, Cappolytree was not the only one writing petitions for or against Nguelemedouga to the headquarters of the ruling Cameroon’s People Democratic Movement (CPDM), located at the Yaoundé International Conference centre, situated on the summit of hill in the cosy Bastos neighbourhood.

The office of Mr Charles Ndomba, the secretary general of the party was flooded daily with reports coming from Nyanon. Overwhelmed, he (Mr Charles Ndomba) decided to pick up his phone and contacted every one to find a solution for Nyanon, but no one was able to help him. Hence, he tried to contact the head of state directly. Miraculously, the day he rang the office of the president of the republic, Paul Biya was in his office and decided and he also decided to answer the phone. As he picked up the phone, he asked: “what is wrong?” And the secretary general of the ruling party was surprised that his boss was in his office that Friday and even picked up the phone. He responded with his voiced trembling with fear: “Sir, I wanted to plead with you to take a personal look at the problem of Nyanon”. “What is Nyanon?” The Head of state asked. And secretary general responded: “it is the name of a village in the Sanaga Maritime division that has been elevated into a sub district and one of our candidates is running for parliament there”. “And what do you want me to do?” Paul Biya asked. “We wanted to suggest to you to ask the minister of territorial administration to replace Nguelemedouga, the sub district officer of Nyanon. Nguelemedouga is a man who receives everybody and offers authorisation to opposition parties to stage rallies in Nyanon willy-nilly”. Mr Ndomba told the head of state.

“Mr Ndomba, do you really think that winning a parliamentary seat in Nyanon is my cup of tea?” The head of state asked. “Yes sir, yes Excellency”. Ndomba replied. “No! You got all wrong. Please allow that sub district officer to do his job. I don’t want any problem in that part of the country, my preoccupation is the Northwest province and that is where I will be happy to hear and see who will make our party win there. Have I made myself clear?” The head state asked and then dropped his phone. Then he rang the secretary general back and asked him to send him the list of members of the central committee of the CPDM, bade him good day and now dropped the phone. Then the head of state ordered his intelligent service to go to Nyanon and investigate what was going on and to report back to him. Some trusted men of one of the many intelligence services, which looked more like Soviet era ideological watch dogs, swung into action in Nyanon. They wormed themselves into the population and took part in all funerals, cultural groups and any other organisation that could exist in such as small village, which has been elevated into a sub district and an electoral constituency.

elie-smithsstory: Happy in poverty

elie-smithsstory: Happy in poverty

elie-smithsstory: Why we moved from Njoumbe to Douala

elie-smithsstory: Why we moved from Njoumbe to Douala

Reasons why was Cappolytree Logbang, the aspiring MP & Mayor of Nyanon was afraid of Nguelemedouga as Sub district officer of Nyanon

And that little ingenious act from Nguelemedouga endeared him to the hearts of the scanty population who came to watch his installation ceremony. They immediately spread the news after the ceremony. He was adopted not after having been given the warning that made him to take a forceful leave. But he was adopted by the people of Nyanon all the same. And as the 1997 June Municipal and Legislative elections approached, Nguelemedouga began registering the application of all political parties that wanted to register their candidates. And on one occasion, he received in his office Professor Malate, who was the leader of a faction of the UPC party and who was also a national or native of the Sanaga Maritime division. Malate was adored by the people and considered a demigod. He was also touted by his own as one of the most brilliant mathematician on earth. The fact that, Nguelemedouga received Malate in his office was another sign of overture made the people of Nyanon who had an ambiguous approach toward their new administrator, but suddenly developed affection and respect for him. The inhabitants of Nyanon were now happy and showed sympathies toward Nguelemedouga, even though they still had some tinge of reservations. The only man in Nyanon who was not happy one bit, with Nguelemedouga was Mr Cappolytree Logbang, who was the designated candidate of the ruling CPDM party in the sub district. He viewed the cordial reception that, Nguelemedouga granted to Malate as a tacit betrayal.

For he(Mr Cappolytree Logbang) feared that, even though the government created the Nyanon sub district and elevated it into an electoral constituency in order for him to be elected Member of Parliament and mayor, in compensation for sponsoring the ruling party, there was not enough guarantee with Nguelemedouga as sub district officer. Hence, Cappolytree took his pen and wrote a three page petition letter to the Minister of Territorial Administration, who is the direct boss of Nguelemedouga. He copied the petition to Prime minister, the Speaker of National assembly and the presidency of the Republic, with expectation that, it will reach the office of the president of the Republic via the secretariat general. In his petition, Mr Cappolytree wrote that, he wanted Nguelemedouga to be relieved from his new function as sub district officer and listed the reasons why. He insisted that, it was urgent, and in the words of Cappolytree, Nguelemedouga had gone mad. How? Simply because, the sub district officer had received Malate in his office and also granted authorisation to all factions of the opposition Union of the Population of Cameroon (UPC) to host rallies in Nyanon. He added that, Malate who was the Secretary General of one of the three factions of the UPC could never have enjoyed such royal reception in Nyanon under an Anglophone sub district officer. Even though, Anglophones are reputed to be independent minded, pro-democracy activists and at such, considered enemies of Cameroon.

elie-smithsstory: The reason why I was born in Penja, Littoral province of Cameroon

elie-smithsstory: The reason why I was born in Penja, Littoral province of Cameroon

elie-smithsstory: My passage at Cameroon Radio & Television Corporation (CRTV)

elie-smithsstory: My passage at Cameroon Radio & Television Corporation (CRTV)

The little ingenious act from Nguelemedouga

Concerning the suggestions of Mr Lawson to transfer Nguelemedouga from Nyanon to the English-speaking region, which he made to Mr Abdulkadir, he (Abdulkadir) responded: “if he is transferred to the North West province, he will become a fanatical Christian”. Lawson replied: “the Anglophone region my dear, is not limited to the North west province alone”. “There is also the South west province, Sir”. Abdulkadir retorted: That is a fine idea, why don’t you ask the Minister of Territorial Administration to transfer him precisely to Bakassi, after his three months stay in Nyanon?”. “Well, yes, I would have wanted him to be sent to Bakassi”. Lawson answered. And Lawson continued: “Please, you know that, Bakassi or a majority part of it is under Nigerian control”. Then Abdulkadir interjected: “This simply means that, neither you nor I want him in our respective regions, please allow him to go and stay where he rightfully belongs”. Lawson replied: “Nguelemedouga is not a Bassa native, he is a Beti”. And Abdulkadir replied angrily: “what is the difference?” And he continued: “the difference in this thing called Cameroon is you and I. For you are an Anglophone and I am a Muslim from the North. And whatever we do, no one will take us seriously or even consider us as a bona fide Cameroonians”.

Lawson was shocked and told his colleague and friend that: “look! Things are heating up; I will prefer that you come home in order for us to talk better”. “Good bye and remain Blessed my brother”. “Same to you”, Abdulkadir replied. As Nguelemedouga got the news of his transfer, he descended to Yaoundé to find out why. He was asked not go back to Couseri and also that, any belongings of his will be brought to him at his new post. He was immediately briefed on the reasons why he has been removed from his former post of duty and given instructions on his new post. . He was briefed on how to work in Bassaland and was also asked to contact all those who had worked in other parts of Bassaland. In particular, he was asked to meet Mr Suh Tony in order to familiarise himself with Nyanon sub district and Ndom sub division in general. On the day of the installation of Nguelemedouga as sub district officer of Nyanon, he surprised everybody. After the speeches of Eyenga Lois, the Senior Divisional Officer of the Sanaga Maritime and direct boss of Nguelemedouga and an array of other dignitaries, it was the turn of Nguelemedouga to address the scanty crowd who bothered to attain the ceremony. He did not address the crowd in French, as other speakers had done before him; he instead addressed the public in the Bassa language. And that little ingenious act from Nguelemedouga endeared him to the scanty population. They immediately spread the news after the ceremony.

elie-smithsstory: My family and my views (final part)

elie-smithsstory: My family and my views (final part)

Nguelemedouga, in Nyanon with a clear mission

But the ceremony went on after a detachment of the Gendarmerie was called in to disperse the demonstrators using tear gas, batons and firing live bullets in the air. The pioneer sub district officer of Nyanon, Mr Nguelemedouga, spent his first night in Nyanon with a warning. For he was bitten while at sleep by a serpent and was taken that same night to the Edea General Hospital, he recovered and he promised that, he would rather become jobless than be killed in Nyanon. He left Nyanon for Yaoundé, where he reported what had happened to him to his boss and he was given a month leave to spend with his family. Risdoh, her brothers and their mother were happy to see their father back home. Since Nyanon sub district was created in 1996, the only top civil servant sent there to represent the government was Mr Suh Tony. He stayed there for three weeks and was forced to take a leave and never came back. Mr Tony left not because he had any problems with the locals, but because, Cappolytree suspected that, since he was from Anglophone Cameroon, he might be sympathetic to the opposition and at such, might want to organise free and faire elections. Hence Cappolytree used his connections at ministry of territorial administration to make that, the leave of Mr Tony be transformed into an indefinite one.

This simply meant that, Nguelemedouga might be the first sub district officer who was officially installed but he was not the first civil servant to be posted to Nyanon. After Nguelemedouga’s blunder in Couseri, he was posted to Nyanon with firm instructions to make Cappolytree, the ruling party’s candidate in the up coming elections twin municipal and legislative to win. In Cameroon, divisional, sub divisional and district and sub district officers are not only representatives of the governments, they also double as de facto members of the ruling party and are required to carryout electoral frauds. While Nguelemedouga had his instructions, Mr Lawson who was the prime minister, knew from intelligence reports that, he (Nguelemedouga) was a brilliant administrator who could also perfectly carryout electoral frauds. But he also knew that, it won’t be easy in the Sanaga Maritime division and he may be assassinated. Hence he suggested to Abdulkadir who was the speaker of parliament that, Nguelemedouga be transferred from Nyanon after three months to any of the two Anglophone provinces. But honourable Abdulkadir who is rancorous and believed the act of Nguelemedouga to support Muslims in Couseri and Makari to install the Islamic holy law was a calculated attempt by his political enemies with the tacit approval of Nguelemedouga to ruin his political career, did accept Lawson proposals. He wanted Nguelemedouga punished in whatever manner.

elie-smithsstory: Consequences of African women’s quest for emancipation as propagated in France(part 32)

elie-smithsstory: Consequences of African women’s quest for emancipation as propagated in France(part 32)