KIBONEN NFI :🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲PEACE AND UNITY FOR CAMEROON :

Cameroon has been going through turbulences for over 4 years today! And as Kibonen emphasizes in her video! we are the ones to bring the peace and unity needed for Cameroon ! There is something that strikes me when you get to speak to people who have reached a certain level of success; humility ! Despite all the success and celebrity status, Kibonen Nfi still doesn’t forget where she comes from and doesn’t belittle anybody who approaches her.

MOTIVATION E1S5/ FAILURE : The formula for success? Double your rate of failure.

For any great achievement that every successful person has earned, they have had exponentially more failures. Failures are lessons of future successes, but many people don’t always see failure in a positive light.

MOTIVATION S1E6/ FAILURE AND HUMILITY: Acknowledge failure and making it matter by cultivating

If you examine the life of anyone who has achieved something extraordinary, chances are you'll find a story of failure somewhere along the way. While not all failures have a happy ending, most happy endings have a failure story. So, rather than viewing failure as an embarrassment, or shameful, or something to be endured, acknowledging failure and making it matter by cultivating humility can actually make your life better

MOTIVATION S1E7 - BLOCAGE MENTAL:

Il y a des moments où nous avons des sentiments difficiles à surmonter qui empêchent d’être heureux. Ces réflexes psychologiques sont appelés les blocages émotionnels. Partout dans le monde, des millions de gens souffrent de ce trouble de l’émotion. Nombreuses sont les raisons qui peuvent causer ce blocage mental. Pour pouvoir vaincre les blocages émotionnels, il faut tout d’abord en avoir connaissance. Dans cette vidéo nous allons parler en détail .

MOTIVATION S1E8 - PARENTING(Raising our boys to be feminists):

I wouldn't say raising a son to be feminists/gentleman is effortless, it's definitely not rocket science. Little things go a long way if you put them in place from the very beginning.

EMPOWERING REFLECTION S1E 4 : Personal responsibility is crucial for africans

We cannot go on living each day of our lives blaming the government for every problem and difficulty. While the government has a great responsibility in and for many of the national maladies and social problems besetting the country, we, the people must also accept our own shares of neglect, excess, and ineptitude.

Les pays comme le Cameroun feront toujours partie du néocolonialisme

🇨🇲🇨🇲Il est temps que le peuple Camerounais arrête de rêver. La fin du colonialisme, dans la foulée des indépendances nationales des années 1950 et 1960, a entrainé, du moins dans bien des cas, le début du néo-colonialisme. Les pays comme le Cameroun feront toujours partie du néocolonialisme, aucune future président ne pourra vous promettre le contraire!!! Par contre, nous avons une chance car nous pouvons choisir quel type de néocolonialisme nous voulons dorénavant! 

'Will the gamble pay off' with the ruling party?: The presidential election of 7 October 2018 in Cameroon

Presidential elections will be held in Cameroon on 7 October 2018, in spite of the recrudescence of violence in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. It is true in many parts of the world Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, South Sudan – elections have been carried out in societies marked by armed conflict. However, elections held in political chaos and economic distress, particularly in the current crisis, is a huge gamble and likely to be particularly dangerous.

More important than the individual candidates who will be elected, the voter participation rate will be key to this election. This is because there are a lot of eligible voters living outside the territory as refugees in neighboring Nigeria, and others living in places besieged by the so called terrorists, and others who have died but are yet to be accounted for. Taking into account these factors, the participation rate will definitely be much lower in these regions.

Since to reenact a one and indivisible Cameroon shall not be to accomplish the impossible task of convincing all of our people to abandon violence, but to accomplish the essential task of convincing enough people to abandon the belief that violence is ever legitimate, election days will come and go but our common struggle to create a government which represents all of us and not just a privileged few - a government based on the principles of economic, social, political and environmental justice and equality - that struggle will always continue.

In the meantime, it is hard not to contemplate the timing and the opportunity of this election. The secessionist movement in Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon have for more than 50 years had this obsession that their Utopia of a State (Ambazonia) was supposed to be independent on the 1^stOctober 1961, the date Southern Cameroons actually obtained her independence by joining the Republic of Cameroon. Hence the tradition of manifesting that desire for freedom, is perpetrated from generation to generation and we recall the unfortunate incidents of 1^stOctober 2017. The police and military forces fired life ammunitions on unarmed civilians during a non-violent peaceful protest across the Northwest and Southwest regions to commemorate that symbolic ‘independence’ day. As many as 17 people were reported dead by Amnesty International and this was the turning point that marked the beginning of the cycle of violence that has led to this dreadful armed conflict which has registered several casualties both among the civilian population and the regular armed forces; caused thousands more to be displaced from their homes; and several villages and property have been consumed in flames. 

Bearing this in mind it is evidently clear that the commemoration of 1^stOctober 2018 by the secessionists in the Northwest and Southwest regions shall not be an exception, that is a few days to the elections of 7^thOctober 2018.  But this time around as compared to the previous years, the balance of power has changed. The government forces will have to deal not with unarmed innocent civilian in various the townships of the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, but they are already facing an armed rebellious militia insurgency determined to march on into Buea and declare the official independence of the Republic of Ambazonia on the 1^stOctober 2018 even at the cost of their tears, blood and sweat

Therefore, the big question is by convening the electoral body on the 7^thOctober 2018 how will the government exercise its authority in those key municipalities such as Mamfe, Kumba, Muyuka,Ekona, Bamemda where these groups have created porches of resistance which has strongly hampered the smooth running of the administration by the local government authorities appointed by President Biya for the past one year? How does the government guarantee the organization of credible election in a climate of heightened insecurity and serious tensions all over the national territory? How will the government protect the safety of polling agents, observers from national and international bodies who may want to scrutinize the free and fair process of this election in those high risk zones?

There never is a good time for tough decisions. There was always supposed to be an election or something else. Governance is also about taking tough, even unpopular decisions but to finalize, the purpose of an election is to hear the will of the people and not to fabricate votes. Several millions of Cameroonians will be disenfranchised during this election as a result of this conflict either because they are refugees in Nigeria; internally displaced; or are living in those zones were the secessionist warlords are imposing their reign of terror. In the end this election is a test of our resolve as a people to either continue to contribute in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said: in politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way. Organizing elections within this context is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate either the continuing confidence in the leadership of the President at a turning point in this conflict, or a total rejection of a system which many consider as the root cause of the frustrations of the majority of Cameroonians from North to South, from East to West and not just the Anglophones. It suffices therefore to say that this presidential election is defiantly called by the Biya regime as an exercise in national sovereignty, the point being to show the to the world, especially the fickle International Community and those who have waged the nearly one-year long insurrection against Cameroon, that Cameroonians are united in the belief that Cameroonians, and only Cameroonians, will decide the fate and future of Cameroon.

Let us watch and see if the gamble pays off. 

Exclusive VIDEO Interview with Cameroon's Youngest Female Entrepreneur ETONDE ...

Africa should take advantage of its youth demographic dividend to push young entrepreneurs to contribute to the continent's economic transformation. This has been the subject on every political speech, the seductive magnet in election campaigns, and the chorus in many economic write-ups, but yet finance remains the biggest barrier to entry resulting to a large informal entrepreneurship at the bottom of the African economic pyramid. There is a lot on the WHY? but soo little on the HOW? In Cameroon, the youngest successful female entrepreneur Etonde Martin has made it her mission to see into these challenges and came up with solutions to reducing the barrier to entry. The EMPOWER SUCCESS IN AFRICA team caught up with her and we were delighted to have an exclusive in-depth interview with the brain behind SIPEC empire . Stay Empowered and Happy New Year 2018.

WOMAN the movie will be premiering very soon at Houston Texas

Hey Guys good evening, it is no news the movie WOMAN will be premiering very soon at Houston Texas. The count down has begin and producer Goretti Etchu-Egbe is keeping busy with numerous interviews from lead bloggers, radio and TV stations in the USA. In just 20mins she will be on African Fiesta 53 and the
Line-up is as folloows: Ivan Namme (Journalist/actor/Entrepreneur), Goretti Etchu-Egbe (Film producer/actress), Clementine Mofor (Public speaker/filmmaker), Tafor Ateh (Drama specialist/actor/varsity lecturer), Sweetie Pie (Super Model/entertainment promoter), etc…Join them in 20 mins at t www.apex1radio.com

American based Cameroonian motivational and inspirational afro-pop singer; Eddy Bee, has released the visuals for his new single.

This one is titled ‘Thank You.’ It is meant to uplift your spirit with a message that would initiate an attitude of humility and gratitude in your heart.

The video was directed by American based video director: MT Muna.
In the words of Eddy Bee: “At every level of your journey in life’s wilderness,
genuine worship will give you a gracious heart and a gracious heart will take you
further.”

Eddy Bee- Biography

Eddy Besong AKA Eddy Bee AKA Mr R&B is a talented Cameroonian R&B/Afrobeat artist with a diverse blend and style of music. Music has basically been a part of Eddy since he was as young as he can remember. As a young student in Sasse College, he was known for his singing prowess as part of a boy group/choir. Moving to the United States further brought out the passion for singing and making great music and melodies. He has been in the music scene since 2009, releasing a mixtape in 2010 as part of a trio group called Avinu C including Naomi ‘The Queen of Bamenda’ Achu and H ‘The Hot Spitter’ Bolo. The Mixtape "The Camerican Dream" had great reviews among local critics and Eddy Bee soon continued a solo career. 

In December 2014, Mr R&B released his first official single and Video after completing his graduate degree. The result was a smooth R&B/AfroR&B/Afrobeat blend titled "I Want To Marry You" which was an instant favorite among local DJs and wedding playlists. The video for the single was shot in Atlanta, Georgia in a beautiful state park complete with waterfalls amid lush autumn colors, beautiful dancers and models. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5getERw9Vc 

On May 30th 2016 he released his second single titled "Thank You" which is currently in rotation. It is meant to uplift your spirit with a message that would initiate an attitude of humility and gratitude in your heart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quXJMcGjHg8 

He is currently working on his debut album slated to be released later this year titled "The Eddy Bee Show". The album will draw on the diversity of the artist's music style consisting of a blend of African, World, Gospel and American R&B music. The album will also feature some surprise collaboration with certain artistes. It will be a pure representation of GOOD MUSIC!! 

Keep up with Eddy Bee on social media:

Click below to watch and be inspired:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?XJMcGjHg8

School drop-out; Stanis, ready to become Cameroon's rap king as he signs record deal with Calabash Music Group.

Cameroon's new international music label, Calabash Music, has announced the signing of its first hip hop artist, StanisBorn Chi Tata Stanislas in Bamenda, in 1988, Stanis 'Le Dragon' is a Buea-based guitarist, rapper and singer from a family of five.

Stanis' music can be described as Afro-trap.He attended primary and secondary school in Yaounde and Douala , which has enabled him to express himself and sing perfectly in English and French. But he was forced to drop out of University of Yaoundé 2 (Soa) because of financial difficulties.

Having nothing to turn to, he poured his emotions into music, and started recording demos in Buea. One of his songs fell in the hands of Cornel, a South African based Cameroonian music
producer signed to Calabash Music.

The A&R committee at Calabash auditioned his music and were impressed by his versatility, singing and rapping ability, inimitable rhythms and hard punch lines. After a couple of meetings at Calabash Music offices in Akwa Douala, a deal was reached
with Calabash Music’s A&R, Wax Dey.
Stanis joins Calabash Music raring to take over the Cameroonian hip hop scene.

“Calabash Music is really excited to have such a talented rapper on board - we shall move swiftly to release material we are working on because Cameroon is hungry for new talent that can be sold to the world.", says Clarisse Ndinge, Calabash Music publicist.
"I write my music with the help of a guitar, but my rap music is very commercial-oriented. I make music for the masses and I'm ready to take over. My team is fire. Cameroonian hip hop
will not be the same after Stanis - so watch this space", says Stanis.

FACT: Cameroon is amoung the most competitive countries in Africa

 

Despite all odds, Cameroon still rises and wins the 18th place among the most competitive countries in Africa; out of a list of 38 African countries. This was featured in the fifth edition of the Report on the Competitiveness of Africa. The study conducted which led to this astonishing result was published on 04 June 2015, and launched in Cape Town, South Africa, during the holding of the World Economic Forum for Africa between the 2nd to the 5th June.

The ranking results presented in this year's Report on the Competitiveness of Africa between 2014-2015, under the theme " transforming African economies" , was based on data from the Forum's Global Competitiveness Index (MHI) of the Forum, mostly known as the " Global Competitiveness Index " ( GCI). This index considered the performance of 144 countries globally this year , of which Cameroon regresses in the rankings globally; 116th in 2015, he lost one place compared to the ICM 2013 to 2014 where he held the 115th place and four places compared to CIM 2012-2013 where he was 112th of 144 countries. According to this report, Cameroon' economy comprises of the followings: services (49.3% ), industry (31% ) and agriculture (19.7%).

"The African minority" as I will normally call it; is ahead of countries like Nigeria (27th in Africa and 127th in CIM ), Egypt (20th in Africa and 119th in the ICM ) not to forget Angola ( 35th in Africa and 140th in ICM) . Mauritius (1st in Africa and 39th globally ) acts as the best student of the continent. This state located in the Indian Ocean gained six places compared to the previous edition , where he was 45th . The firm ranked in Guinea lying 38th of 38 countries in Africa and 144th / 144 countries worldwide , behind Chad ( 143rd in Africa and 37th globally ) . In Central Africa, the CEMAC region, Gabon gains the highest ranking (12th in Africa and 106th in the world ranking).

I am sure after reading the first paragraph above, you will be wondering how did Cameroon manage to find itself at a higher ranking...? well here are the facts. In the Competitiveness Report 2014-2015 of Africa, the report commended Cameroon for their latest reforms in the public institutions field. The number of procedures to start a business in Cameroon is the key indicator  of its highest ranking ( 32nd out of 144 countries globally). Among the most worrying factors raised in Cameroon where: corruption, access to finance, inadequacy of existing infrastructure, tax regulations, tax rates, cumbersome public administration.

This report is published jointly every two years by the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD). There read from me again on this matter in two years time.

Cameroon's first blogging forum and networking event

Blogging has entered a realm of its own in Cameroon, from fad to industry. Cameroonians are entering the blogosphere daily, thousands every day from home and abroad. I’ve been blogging for over 5years and had no clue I was doing it. It was called “online journaling” and some called it “web diaries” or “blithering idiots writing on the Internet”. I tried not to blither, but I just did what I knew and now am known for what I did and continue to do: blog. Today, the evolution of this culture in Cameroon has led to the creation of the very first blogging event forum: BBCL, which took place December 30th 2014 at Le Meridien Bonanjo, Douala city center, Cameroon.

BBCL stands for Bold and Beautiful Camer Ladies. Started by a group of Cameroonian domestic and diaspora bloggers who decided to bridge the gap between bloggers, entrepreneurs and businesses.

Cameroon now has a call center for abused women

Photo credits UN Women/I. Tapang

Cameroon now has a call center for abused women in our society: Just call 243 425 668.

According to UN Women West and Central Africa article (December 04, 2014), During the 16 Days Campaign to end violence against women in Cameroon, representative of the International Telecommunications Union (IUT) Mr. Jean Jacques Massima said: gender-based violence (GBV) can be effectively eliminated in Cameroon if ICT tools are adequately exploited for the benefit of women and girls. “The use of ICTs must respect professional and ethical standards,” Mr Massima told to hundreds of participants at a UN Women Cameroon forum styled “Gender Café 6” in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital. The event that held under the theme “The Role of ICT in preventing GBV in Cameroon” was also graced by the official opening of a GBV Call Center for survivors in the Littoral region.

Across the globe, millions of people were dressed in orange in November entring December; to symbolise a world free from violence against women and girls. Revisiting the official statement of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, UN Women Representative and Country Director Mrs Rachelle Mian Djangone said women and girls experience violence in all countries and neighbourhoods but these crimes often remain unreported and hidden. “We must end the silence. That is why this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is centred on a grassroots effort to raise awareness called Orange Your Neighbourhood,” according to Mr. Ban’s statement.

Photo credits UN Women/I. Tapang

In a bid to mitigate risks faced by women in Cameroon, UN Women Cameroon has established a toll-free Call Center in the Littoral, one of the country’s most vulnerable regions to gender-based violence. The UN entity has also rolled out several strategies to end violence against women including a Gender Café and the training of journalists.

Source: UN Women West and Central Africa

Thanks to Government intervention in Cameroon, babies are now born HIV-free

Cameroon News: Eventhough HIV remains a critical public health problem in Cameroon with about more than 570,409 people infected, mother to child transmission was still a big challenge in 2010, but has now reduced considerably as new studies reveal. Credit to the interventions of the government's commitment to eliminate new HIV infections among children and to keep their mothers alive by 2015. Through support from UNICEF and other partners the government developed an evidence-informed plan aimed at MTCT elimination. And to eliminate MTCT UNICEF partners with civil society organizations to supplement community mobilization activities and supports capacity building of counsellors and staff for stronger counselling services in every District Maternity Hospital.

Annual Show Fashion Week 2014 has started

Cameroon is gradually innovating and establishing itself as the fashion hub of the Central African sub-region. The flagship event of this hub is ofcourse the Annual Show Fashion Week 2014, which is the first fashion festival in Cameroon, aiming at becoming the first sub-Sahara African festival of style and fashion for black models.

In this year's event which has already started, Designers, model and African artists from Abidjan, Dakar, Douala, Yaoundé and France; just to name a few, have started converging in Douala so as to put on a one of kind show. Throughout this week, Douala will experience a buoyancy that will spread even beyond the national borders  via international media coverage.  

The presence of media outlets such as Fashion TV UK, CCTV, France 24, Africa Magic and rfi not to forget bloggers at this years event will propel Cameroon as the centre for the renaissance of Africa fashion strongly influenced by its culture. 

Hosted at the luxurious St. Johns Plaza, the 7th edition of the Annual Show Fashion Week is enhanced by many sponsoring partnerships like: MTN Cameroon, Tangui, Camair-Co; just to name a few. 

Grégroire Piwelé, who is a great supporter and promoter of this event and of fashion in the sub-region, as well as his team are braving numerous challenges so that the festival finally becomes annual just as its name suggest. 

18 years since the dead of Africa's most brilliant artists from Cameroon

Today we celebrate 18years since Kotto Bass primaturely left us at age 33; this was on the 20th November 1996 right about when the Cameroon's 1972 constitution was amended; allowing SE Paul Biya to run for another term (the 3rd).

NYAMSI KOTTO Auger Théodore aka Kotto Bass is one of the most brilliant artists in Africa of his generation though his star just started to shine. An immense and never-to-be-forgetten talent. 

Unforgetable as his three albums he left to posteriry. From Edith Ndola'a Ngo to Soukous fusion, which continue to be listened these days as well as Edith, Concours de patience, Oke Mado, Papa Promesse, Folo Folo, J'aime tout le monde, and Bamenda. Songs still sung by fans who are still crying the lost of a bassist with a magic and singular touch.

Cameroon new star is born; her name is Daphne

Daphne is her name and yes..!!! a new star IS BORN in Cameroon. This December, she will be sharing the stage with Tiwa Sage, Yemi Alede, Don Jazy and many other big names at a Concert organised by MTN Cameroon. Her very first single Rastafari (below) is one that drove her to stardom.

Today she was on FM 96.0 (Nostalgy Radio); on the show called Genaration 2.0 with Brice Alben. She talked about her new album REFLECTION; the favourite of all those who called up and twitted was indeed BROKEN, the french speaking audience adored the fact that she started singing BROKEN in Douala dialect. It was a not to miss radio show; so many love twitts for Daphne came pooring. It was a win win situation . Sorry Brice Alben for being attacked by Daphne male fans when you gave her that kiss...lol. Congrats girl...

Yve Michel Fotso Pleads Not Guilty

After spending several years in jail already, the former General Manager of Cameroon Airline CAMAIR, Yve Michel Fotso, before the Special Criminal Court in Yaounde on November 6th, still pleaded not guilty.

Fotso pleaded not guilty to charges of froudulently obtaining the sun of FCFA 18.9 billion sometimes between year 2000 and 2002. 

The suit brought against by CAMAIR Liquidation Committee spelled out that the said sum comprised of FCFA 4051209866; FCFA 4606130515; FCFA8934203742, which was compensation for the famous Boeing 747 'Combi' aircraft as well as FCFA 1400000000 that represented the value of the wreck aircraft. 

After consultating both parties, Justice Francis Moukoun adjourned the hearing to December 9th, 2014, to give the Legal Department enough time to serve its witnesses.  When the presiding judge, Justice Moukoun, demanded the list from both parties, the Advocate General, Claude Taghim of the Legal Department, tendered a six-witness list which the civil claimants, Barister Ngango Ottou and Barrister Epassi also adopted. 

However, the defence lawyers, Barristers Martin Achet and Alex Mandeng, prior to this proceeding submitted to the panel of judges (Justice Jean Claude Michel Onana and Justice Yvette Siewethet) a notice stating that the defence will call for no witness throughout the court proceedings.

More on the court decision is to be unfolded as the proceedings continue...