MNews237

By Martial Gnoukapasir A shed at the Nkwen market fully consumed by fire ' Petrol station di burn' - a female voice screamed  in pidgin-english from a distance and we hurriedly rushed out of the house to find out which of the fueling station had gone up flames, since we have three fueling stations around the area. A few metres away from my home we spotted fire but as we move closer to the ravaging flames and fumes, it became obvious that it wasn't any of the fueling station on fire but a portion of the make shift structures around the Bamenda Nkwen market that had gone up in flames. At the scene you will see owners of shops around the market struggling to rescue their belongings before the fire could cross to their shops. traders removing their goods to safety Some didn't even have the luxury to open their shops with keys as they break in like thieves in an effort to save their goods. In the next 15 mins the whole ' back market' area was crowded, while some wer...

Martial Gnoukapasir Mayor Fongu Cletus of Bamenda III council This reflection has been motivated by the fact that away from the city mayor who showed up together with the governor on day one, marking the launching of the festival, this reporter whose sights are still very much healthy couldn't set eyes on colleagues of the host mayor, especially his immediate collaborators who manage the Bamenda city council area with him. Well, maybe they forwarded their supports in kind or cash but as at this time, this reporter cannot confirm if such was the case. If they did present an excuse or sent representatives, or maybe supported the initiative one way or the other, then an apology from this writer will be in marching order. Governor Lele l'afrique who pilots the affairs of the North West region has never in any outing fail to seek concerted efforts from his immediate collaborators when it comes to clamouring for peace in the embattled North West. He did same when he showed up at the ...

Martial Gnoukapasir Photo credit- Baka Derick HRM SF Azefor on his throne at festival ground "... there's deep meaning in coining this event the Festival Heritage of Arts and Culture. We are by this theme invited to revisit our roots and discover the treasure that is in our culture, a treasure that has been abused, ignored and misunderstood at so many levels .." the fon said. " A people without a knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like trees without roots"- the Fon quoted Marcus Gavey whose revolutionary works led to the liberation of slaves during slavery era Thrilled by the fact that this was the first ever festival organized by an institution and not the palace, he urged the natives and youths in particular to celebrate and cherish their heritage for " it is the foundation upon which we seek to build a peaceful and prosperous community" HRM Azefor delivering his address The Nkwen village is made up of 6 clans with a total of 62...

Martial Gnoukapasir local liquor being served at FEHACU 2021 On this first day of the Bamenda III Festival Heritage of Arts and Cultures organized by the Bamenda III council under mayor Fongu Cletus, it's not just the  display by cultural groups that captures ones attention.  Mêlu'u ma Fu` which translates to local liquor or "white mimbo" as it's commonly called in grassfield culture is being served to visitors. It's not just about the drink being served from the traditional Calabash that wets ones appetite but the manner and conversation that accompanies the pouring as well.  A good number of visitors confessed at the end of day one that it's the drink that kept them company throughout the activities marking day one of the festival

Martial Gnoukapasir Lefe John from Bamessing The maiden edition of the Bamenda III Festival Heritage of Arts and Cultures (FEHACU) isn't just celebrating the cultural values of the Nkwen people. Tribesmen and women from neighboring villages are also using the platform to showcase what makes them stand out culturally. At the event ground, MNews237 met Lefe John- a famous weaver who hails from Bamessing, a village in Ndop in Ngoketungia division of the North West region. He came with his handmade weaving machine which he uses to produce widely known traditional bags and caps out of fibre with inscriptions on them. He told us " I've been plaiting fibre bags and caps for over 10 years and saw this festival as an opportunity to showcase what is originally from my place and sell my produce". The fibre bags and caps he produces carries weaved inscriptions like " Greetings from Bamenda" " Glory to God " etc. " I use to make alot of money exporti...

Martial Gnoukapasir The Nluite dance group at FEHACU 2021 The maiden edition of the Bamenda III festival Heritage of Arts and Cultures - FEHACU 2021 is finally here and amongst the dance groups that have showed up to grace the launching with their sounds and rythm is the 'Nluite'dance group from Nchang quarter in menda. Extremely happy with the event which provides a platform for them to showcase the rich cultural dance steps and styles of the Nkwen fondom to the rest of the world, the group's president Ngongem Emmanuel traced it's roots, objectives achievements and the types of events that takes them out. " This group was founded by Pa Nta Nchang of blessed memory to help celebrate the value of the Nkwen people, and it is in honour of his name that we have kept it alive till date" he said "We  go out during special occasions like weddings, marriage solemnization. We also go when there's a funeral as we try to be part of the cleansing process, resto...

Martial Gnoukapasir Statistics as at day 7 of campaign in all 20 districts in the NW According to statistics released by experts actively involved in the 3rd round of the national campaign to intensify vaccination against the Covid-19 pandemic, Benakuma, Ndop and Wum health districts are those clearly leading the vaccination exercise in the North West region of the country. As at November 22nd 2021, the campaign, launched November 17th had seen some 3,557 persons vaccinated in Wum, 3,336 in Ndop and 1,896 in Benakuma. These health areas are said to have reached the number of persons targeted to be vaccinated by the 3rd round of the campaign according to the published data.  Fresh targets were however set when public  health minister Manaouda Malachi in a communique he signed November 22nd, extended the vaccination deadline from the 23rd to the 28th of the same month. Communique extending Covid-19 campaign deadline Other health areas that have made laudable strides in the vaccination ex...