About Talented Cameroonians at Home and Abroad N° 002 OCTOBER 2007

Cameroon’s Pioneer Rebecca Enonchong Professional Female Cameroon's Pride Pilot

Sarah Limunga Enow

Promoting Cameroon as a tourist and business Destination

UB Matriculation

Diboti Nseke Luma Weds The Rebirth of OBILI Catherine Molongo

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United Parcel For UPS, Every Package Services is a Guest of Honour Editorial Let Your Light Shine... ack to our Sunday School days, we remember this memory verse we said regularly during church events: “Let Your Light Shine before Men so that they may see your good works and praise your Father who is in Heaven.” As we look around our planet this day, we see and hear of several talented Cameroonians whose professional Band academic achievements shine in many nations, drawing positive attention to our dear fatherland. These Cameroonians have become veritable indomitable lions and lionesses whose strife for excellence makes us feel real proud. Each time we think of them, the tempta- tion to rephrase the verse grows stronger: “Cameroonians, Let Your Light shine before men so that they may see your great works and praise, without ceasing, your country CAMEROON.”

Dear Readers, your reactions to the maiden edition of SUCCESS STORY were overwhelm- ing and encouraging. We are so thankful and promise to keep the flame burning and shining on your success stories.

In the maiden edition we advised each of you to aim higher. Even the sky is not a limit. In this edition we are proud to present Christine Njeuma who has been reaching for the skies as Cameroon's first female Pilot for the past five years. BRAVO! Another brave Cameroonian lady, Rebecca Enonchong is writing her name in gold in the domain of Information Technol- ogy. While Sarah Limunga Enow is promoting Cameroon as a tourism and business destination through her website at a time when our beloved country needs it most. Cheers, Ladies!

This month, we invite our readers to be witnesses to Diboti Nseke Luma as he ties knot to the pretty Catherine Molongo. A true love success story. Our best Wishes!

In this edition, we start monitoring activities of the Civil Society in Cameroon and set our attention to the Video Conference held at the World Bank Office Yaounde that linked the participants to the Africa Asia NGO Network Workshop in Tokyo. Hope these civil society or- ganizations get the best for Africa's development during next year's TICAD IV rendezvous in Yokohama, Japan.

We also join the Academia in the University of Buea to welcome Freshmen on Matricula- tion Day and praise the administration for continuing reforms aimed at increasing the profes- sionalisation of studies. Our new page on CINEMA praises Cameroonian film producers for launching the new film THE BLUES KINGDOM that pro- motes the abandonment of two harmful traditional malpractices: Fe- male Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Breast Ironing, still practised in some areas of Africa and undermining the dignity of the Woman. We visit the famous residential quarter OBILI whose develop- ment in Yaounde has, at last, grown from very dusty roads to tarred roads and beautiful buildings. Our dating advice to Boys, this time, isolate the woman of your dreams from her friends and family if you want to win her heart faster!

Readers, before inviting you to wash your hands and share in our meal of finger licking sweet EKWANG, we take a look at the virtues of the Jatropha Curcas Plant in Mali and hope that the plant will be in- troduced to the northern part of Cameroon where it could serve the population fight desertification and poverty while developing cheap Tonge B. Ebai biodiesel for renewable energy, thus preserving the environment.

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 1 Readers From Readers...

Congratulations and welcome on board into the pu- Thank you for forwarding this edition to me. It's blishers' club... amazing what you get if you follow your dreams WASALOKO, Yaounde and if you dream big enough !!!! …this is just to say that you are off to a good start. God bless a very good idea !!! very interesting !!! you and crown your efforts with success... and try Bellet-Edimo Daniel-Christian, France in each edition to do better. All the very best Very interesting. I hope they can keep it up. Clementine Nkweta-Muna, Geneva Elizabeth Quan, Canada ... I enjoy what u send to me. The e-zine is a fabulous output.... I presume it's only Thanx for success stories. I suggest that a page should be Humphrey Muwah, Douala meant for star/talent tracking, this would encourage young or gifted fellows seeking to exhibit their talent Folks, thanks for sending me a copy of your ma- to showcase to the world what they've got... The gazine. looks great and its a very praiseworthy pages on sites and great cities are very rich. pioneering effort. enjoyed the pictures and pers- Thanks... for the great job... pectives from far and wide. I loved the ocean Suki M. M. , Ibadan view in Limbe and look forward to visiting Limbe and its rich history again. Keep up the good I hope this e-mail finds you well... I saw your e-zine. work... very nice... Felix Awantang, Accra All the best! Peter Vlam Nicely done and fills a need. All good wishes for Founder Africa Interactive,Netherlands your success in the new climes. Your talents are evident yet again hello Dr. Ralph Thomson, Los Angeles I think I like the magazine... I want to know more about the cake competition and the ladies' addres- You are really doing an excellent job... ses so we can know where to order from... bye Christopher Robertson, Vancouver Nforgwei, Dorothy, Douala ...it looks really fantastic...great job...it's so Hello good job there. Think you should keep it up enriching and entertaining as well. and that is the job of a professional... Joyce Lefang, Colorado Moses Nyoh, Yaounde

...this is a wonderful publication... Thanks! NDONGO L EKEMA, Alabama

...I must admit that is a very good initiative... Sarah Limunga Enow, Netherlands Please e-mail your comments to:

Congrats! for the first issue of your e-zine. I really enjoyed it and it is quite good The Editor in Chief Keep going ahead SUCCESS STORY E-ZINE Regards [email protected] Claire KADJI, Yaounde

2 About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad FIRST INTERNATIONAL INN (FINI) HOTEL BOBENDE-SONARA ROAD P.O. BOX 590 LIMBE TEL/FAX: (237) 33 33 26 97 - 33 33 20 15 - 99 97 42 94 - 77 09 60 49

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47 single rooms 05 Apartments 03 Suites A Panoramic Snack Bar Restaurant A Business Center A Conference Hall (80 Places) Swimming Pool A Conference Hall (250 Places) A Private Beach A Swimming Pool A Night Club “Le Calypso” Car Rental Service Excursions to Neighbouring Islands Angling & Fishing Parties “Le Calypso” Night Club Great Achievements n January 2002, Cameroonians were sur- prised to hear over the media that a 29 year old female pilot had been successful in the selection test organised for eleven pilotsI in CAMEROON AIRLINES. Who was she? Where was she coming from? Could she really fly an aircraft? Most Cameroonians were skeptical. Born to a pair of renowned Cameroonian scholars on Thursday, February 22 1973, Chris- Celebrating My tine obtained a BA in French and Spanish from thth the University of Florida in Gainesville (USA), 1000 and September 1998 enrolled at Embry-Riddle hour of flight Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida (USA) where in April 2001, she ob- tained her Master's Degree in Airline Opera- tions and Safety as well as her Commercial Pi- lot’s Licence. She joined CAMEROON AIR- LINES in November 2001. A few months after a rigorous training period, she started flying the company's aircrafts regularly between Yaounde and Douala as well as to Malabo in neighbour- ing Equatorial Guinea. Five years later, Christine Bonbankal Njeuma, Cameroon's Pioneer Female Profes- sional Pilot still flies regularly. She now flies for CHC Cameroon, a Canadian airline company who does corporate flights for COTCO (the Chad Cameroon pipeline). She remains indomi- table in a domain hitherto reserved to the male folk and maintains her stand that “Brains, not Cameroonian on the MOON, for NO for an answer! And your dream Breasts fly Planes”. they are convinced her ambitions will become a reality. You should take A smart, intelligent and go beyond the skies! This, she me as living proof of this. I had a pluridisciplinary woman, Cameroonians re- laughs, is not on her wish list. dream as a 5yr old girl (visiting a member Christine's outstanding performances Christine's Success Story in- cockpit for the first time while travel- in Lawn Tennis many years ago when she won spires young Cameroonian girls ling for vacation to Europe) to be a several times the National Lawn Tennis Cham- who are determined to bridge the pilot. And through hard work and pionship as well as the much coveted SO- gender gap in new professional perseverance, I am living my dream NARA Masters trophy in 1987 as a 14 year old and academic fields. She resides in today! I am just one more woman dar- (!), and again in 1995. She has also performed the coastal city of Douala in Cam- ing to realize her dream, one more the feat of reaching the summit of Mount Cam- eroon. woman believing in herself, one more eroon (4095m). Christine’s advice to young woman ignoring the word impossible!” Most of Christine's fans say they would girls: “Dare to dream, believe in your- By Eric Luma Mbella-Martin not be surprised if she decides to be the first self , believe you can do it, don’t take YOUNG GIRLS! Dare to dream, Believe in yourself, Believe you can do it, Don’t take NO for an answer! And your dream will become a reality. You should take me as living proof of this. I had a dream as a 5yr old girl (visiting a cockpit for the first time while travelling for vacation to Europe) to be a pilot. And through hard work and perseverance, I am living my dream today! I am just one more woman daring to realise her dream, one more woman believing in herself, one more woman ignoring the word impossible!

4 About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad

With her proud Dad. Christine received the Fly-Sister-Fly Award from the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) this August in Houston, TX, for being the 1st female Pilot in Cameroon

with Capt Minter (OBAP President) and Event Coordinators Five Years Ago…

Brains, Not Breasts, Fly Planes! Grad… With Celebrities Fly to the Major Cities of Cameroon!

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www.elysianairlines.com Celebrities Rebecca Enonchong Cameroon's Pride in Information Technology

ebecca Enonchong is a rare cameroonian talent who dared into Information Technology and Software Deve- lopment, attaining records of celebrity through her achievements and opinions both in Cameroon and in the United States of America. Enonchong's vision to spread knowledge about technology to a wider african audience and increase the num- berR of technology professionals on the continent, led to the creation of her non- profit organisation Africa Technolo- gies Forum (www.africatechforum.com) whose goal is to help bridge the digital divide. The organisation also tries build links between African Governments and information technology businesses so government officials will better understand how to build regulatory frameworks that help rather than hinder business development.

Rebecca Enonchong has been Consultant at EduTech, Instrustor at Oracle Corporation and Consultant at Inter- American Development Bank. After fourteen years of experience in Consulting and Finance, Rebecca Enonchong foun- ded Application Technologies Inc (Apps Tech) in Bethesda, Maryland, a leading global ASP (Application Service Pro- vider) and supplier of full service buisness application solutions, offering complete application implementation services, outsourcing, hosting, support and training for corporations and governments worldwide. Apps Tech is also committed to helping organisations thrive by rapidly deploying cost-effective, flexible, robust and reliable enterprise software solutions that meet their customer-specific needs. Her Success Story! In 2001, the World Economic Forum Founder and President Klaus Schwab announced the selection of Rebecca Enonchong as one of the year's distinguished 100 young leaders for the Foundation's annual GLOBAL LEADERS FOR TOMORROW (GLT) program's class of 2002. She was the first cameroonian, as well as one of the few Africans, ever to receive the distinguished title honouring individuals who have achieved a position of considerable influence and responsibility in the world. She joined a select group of leaders from the arenas of business, politics, public interest groups, the news media, the arts and the sciences. Past technology honorees have included Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos and Akamai Technologies President Paul Sagan. Among those who also received the pres- tigious GLT designation in 2001 were Apple Computers Inc. Senior Director Tony Blevins, Cisco Systems Chief Strategy Officer Michelangelo Volpi and Google founder and Chief Executive Officer, Larry Page.

Reacting to her selection, Enonchong said "It is a great honor to be recognized by the World Economic Forum. The fact that the projects and relationships developed through the organization help to ensure that the corporations that are leading the global economy are respon- sible citizens of the world, makes this nomination very significant for me on a personal and professional level. As an African, this nomination also serves to reinforce my ever-present goal, as well as personal commitment, in helping to ensure that Africa is not left out of this new econo- my." Rebecca Enonchong has been featured in several leading newspapers and magazines including The Wall Street Jour- nal, The Washington Post, InformationWeek and Computer World and has appeared on both CNN and CNNfn. She was also the recipient of the 2001 African Entrepreneurship Award, an initiative of Enterprise Africa that seeks to reco- gnize and celebrate African entrepreneurial excellence. She was the first cameroonian, as well as one of the few Africans, ever to recei- ve the distinguished title honouring individuals who have achieved a position of considerable influence and responsibility in the world. She joined a select group of leaders from the arenas of business, politics, public interest groups, the news media, the arts and the sciences. By Joyce E. Lefang

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 7 Pathfinders

Sarah Limunga Enow

Promoting Cameroon as a Business and Tourist Destination

he has dedicated her talents, energy, creativi- variety she needs pictures of attractions in Cameroon. She in- ty and contacts to the promotion of Africa, vites cameroonians especially photograhers to share their and particularly her fatherland Cameroon, as beautiful pictures with her website visitors and make Came- business and tourist destinations for mil- roon more attractive. lionsS of tourists and businessmen who are beginning To know more about Cameroon, Sarah Limunga Enow to show interest in Africa. invites us to visit: http://www.africanews.com/site/page/cameroon. Her Sarah Limunga Enow is a young cameroonian company also offers a podium to everyone willing to post his/ residing in the Nertherlands. She works for Africa her stories on their website. Interactive Media Company, which is running an Companies willing to advertise could also be served internatioanal, interactive and multimedia website through http://www.africanews.com/site/page/partners called Africanews.com AfricaNews is an online platform that aims to show a Gathering text and pictures from reporters in better, balanced and multifaceted image of the African Conti- Cameroon, she creates and updates the special plat- nent. It aims at sharing and informing people who share com- form Tourism in Cameroon. This site appeals to mon interests in Africa, through news sharing, photos, we- hundreds of visitors who get information, pictures blogs, videos, mobile reports and untold stories by african and videos on the most attractive places, peoples people focusing on Travel, Nature, Society, Microfinance, and business in Cameroon. Culture, Music and Sports. Energised by responses and inquiries from Africannews.com is also a user generated website with a visitors all over the world, Sarah Limunga Enow as- network of reporters from all over Africa. They give their arti- serts “I really want to it to go wide and am looking for part- cles for free in exchange for free publicity. These articles ners to the platform. It must not necessarily be travel compa- should, however, respect their editorial standards. nies or tourism agencies, it could be any company or person. I will just create a profile for that group of persons or company Visit and promote them online.”

To make her site more appealing with www.africanews.com

8 About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 9 Diboti Nseke Luma Weds Catherine Molongo

Lord Mayor Matute Lyonga Daniel rue Love is like a River that must ine- Catherine gives the vitably flow into Marriage. Groom's Gift to her Patriarch Barrister Diboti Nseke Luma Mola Manga and Catherine Molongo kept their mutualT promise by celebrating their Union before friends, relatives and the public in the Limbe 1 Ur- ban Council Hall on Friday October 26 2007. Af- ter issuing their marriage certificates, the presiding Lord Mayor, Matute Lyonga Daniel, praised the couple for taking the irreversible decision to live Luma's Family identifies and together for better or for worse and wished both Diboti Puts the Ring takes over Catherine happinness. That same the evening, the Luma's Family accompamied their son Diboti to the Molongo's family in Botaland Limbe for the traditional 'KnockDoor' ceremony. After convincing Pa- triarch Manga Motome of the Molongo's Family and meeting with the traditional requirements, the Luma's Family from Tiko received Catherine Mo- Catherine (veiled) is released for longo for marriage. By Marquise Makouo identificationidentification

Holding their Marriage Certificates Head of Molongo's Family (Mola Manga) echoes the About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 8Catherine Signs! request the Luma's Family WWeddingseddings itorial

n Saturday October 27 2007, the Luma and Molongo Families were joined once more by friends, relatives and church members at the Presbyterian Church, Long Street OTiko, for the Church Wedding of Diboti Nseke Luma and Catherine Molongo. Exchange of The colourful ceremony started in the early after- Rings noon with the arrival of the Groom and his Bride to the Chapel. The Groom and bride were dressed in white. The Groomsmen were dressed in black while the pretty bridesmaids were dressed in darkred. Before blessing the union, the Church Minister advised the couple to put God first and keep his com- mandments in whatever they do. The Kiss... The couple exchanged rings, kisses before signing the marriage register. The ceremony ended with a recep- tion at the Luma's Family Residence in Tiko.

Blessings From the Church Minister

Groomsmen and Bridesmaids Before the Wedding Cake Awards Success Story Readers' Awards December 2008 The Publisher of THE SUCCESS STORY E-ZINE announces to readers that the first edition of THE SUC- CESS STORY READERS' AWARDS will be organised in Cameroon in December 2008. Readers will nominate candidates and vote winners of two competitions:

A. Cameroonians who have set up successful Joint Ventures with foreign businessmen in Cameroon B. Female Cameroonians with outstanding achievements and performances in their fields

Readers will vote for 14 months.

For Competition A, every reader will vote, every month, for one of the nominees over a score on 10 points after considering the entrepreneurial spirit of the nominee and the impact of the Joint Venture on the lives of Came- roonians, during the said month.

For Competition B, every reader will vote every month for one of the nominees over a score of 10 points after considering the nominee's dynamism, talent and achievements, during the said month.

NB: Nominations are accepted trom readers till the end of the competition You may only vote for one nominee every month eventhough you may change your choice every month Your names and e-mail addresses will be recorded and kept alongside your votes by the Jury to check double vo- ting and ensure impartiality The Jury will add up votes for each nominee and publish every month on this page of your favourite entertain- ment E-zine, the SUCCESS STORY NOMINEES & VOTES COMPETITION A N° NOMINEES JOINT VENTURES O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D TOTAL 1 Collins E. Mukete MTN Cameroon 0

2 Chief Tabetando Euroil 0

3 Ayuk Iyok GlocalGaz 0 4 5

6

COMPETITION B N° NOMINEES JOB COMPANY O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D TOTAL 1 Rebecca Enonchong Software Developer Apps Tech 0 2 Christine Njeuma Pilot CHC 0 Cameroon 3 Ntoutou L. Marie Bus Driver Le Car 0 4 5 6 You are invited to submit your nominees and votes every month to the JURY through [email protected]

12 About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad Fly to the Major Cities of Cameroon!

Flight Schedules

Monday Book a flight now Wednesday Book a flight now

DESTINATION/FL DEPARTURE ARRIVAL FLIGHT DESTINATION/FL DEPARTURE ARRIVAL FLIGHT N0 TIME TIME HOURS N0 TIME TIME HOURS DLA – NSI 122 07:30 08:15 00:45Mins DLA – NSI 122 07:30 08:15 00:45Mins NSI – MVR 122 08:45 10:45 02:00 Hrs NSI – GOU 122 08:45 10:25 01:40 Mins

MVR – GOU 121 11:15 11:45 00:30 Mins GOU – NSI 121 11:00 13:35 01:40 Mins

GOU – NSI 121 12:15 13:55 01:40 Mins NSI - DLA 121 14:05 14:40 00:35 Mins NSI - DLA 121 14:25 15:00 00:35 Mins

Thursday Book a flight now Friday Book a flight now DESTINATION/FL DEPARTURE ARRIVAL FLIGHT DESTINATION/FL DEPARTURE ARRIVAL FLIGHT N0 TIME TIME HOURS N0 TIME TIME HOURS DLA – NSI 122 07:30 08:15 00:45Mins DLA – NSI 122 07:30 08:15 00:45Mins NSI – GOU 122 08:45 10:25 01:40 Mins NSI – MVR 122 08:45 10:45 02:00 Hrs

GOU – NSI 121 11:55 13:35 01:40 Mins MVR – GOU 121 11:15 11:45 00:30 Mins

NSI - DLA 121 14:05 14:40 00:35 Mins GOU – NSI 121 12:15 13:55 01:40 Mins NSI - DLA 121 14:25 15:00 00:35 Mins

Sunday Book a flight now

DESTINATION/FL DEPARTURE ARRIVAL FLIGHT N0 TIME TIME HOURS DLA - Douala DLA – NSI 122 10:30 10:45 00:45Mins NSI - Nsimalen (Yaounde) NSI – GOU 122 11:15 12:55 01:40 Mins GOU – Garoua MVR – Maroua GOU – NSI 121 13:55 14:05 01:40 Mins NGE - Ngaoundere NSI - DLA 121 14:35 15:10 00:35 Mins

Reservations: (237) 33 42 79 46 Civil Society

Video Conference At the World Bank Office Yaounde to share the Results of Africa Asia NGO Network Workshop in Tokyo

he "Africa Asia NGO Network Workshop in Tokyo", sponso- red by JICA and organized by the Tokyo International Confe- rence on African Development Civil Society Forum (TCSF), conducted its closing session on October 26, 2007 via video- conferenceT connecting from the Tokyo Development Learning Centre (TDLC) with 6 African countries to share the results of the 2-day work- shop. Ms Nite With the TICAD IV meetings coming up in Yokohama in May 2008, the Tokyo Workshop was held to provide an opportunity for parti- Baya cipants to listen to the citizens of Africa and foster greater understanding. It follows up on the Nairobi Workshop held in Kenya in September, at- Tanzarn from tended by 80 persons including representatives from 13 African NGOs. Uganda Building on the "Voices of African Civil Society" adopted by mem- bers in Nairobi, participants in the Tokyo Workshop drafted "Voices of African and Japanese Civil Society" reflecting the views of Japanese NGOs as well. The closing session incorporated videoconference to share these results with counterparts in Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ca- meroon. The session at the TDLC was attended by 30 participatns inclu- ding representatives of African NGOs. The video conference started at 8.00 am (Cameroon time)with several civil society organisations belonging to the Civic Commission for Africa (C-CfA) and pressmen participating from Cameroon under the coordination of Dr Essoungou Ndemba representing the Association for the Protection of Consumers's Rights (APDC). Also in attendance was Georges Enow Mbella from the Global Network For Good Governance (GNGG) that holds an Observer Status with the TCSF. TCSF's Senior Project Officer Mika Kunieda was facilitator to the Video Conference that started with opening remarks from Dr. Sayaka Funada-Classen who provided a brief overview of the program. After requesting the local facilitators in each participating country to present attendees, Mika invited presentations from spokespersons of some selec- ted NGOs attending the Workshop in Japan. The presenters were Mr. Gizaw Abera Gebre-Egziabher (Gudina Tumsa Foundation,GTF, Ethiopia);

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad Video Conference Facilitator MikaMika KuneidaKuneida

Prof. Saida Agrebi (Tunisian Mothers' Association, ATM, Tunisia); Dr. Essoungou Ndemba Mr. Winstone ZULU (Kara Counselling and Training Trust Pro- gram, Zambia); Ms. Joséphine Mukahigiro (Association Rwandaise presents NGOs from des Travailleurs Chrétiens Féminin, ARTCF, Rwanda) and Ms. Nite Cameroon Baza Tanzarn (International Forum for Rural Transport and Develop- ment, IFRTD, Uganda). Mr. Charles Abbey presented a summary of the Tokyo Workshop. He highlighted Africa's challenges with regards to Development and recognised progress made so far to attain the Millennium Development Goals. He echoed the voices of African and Japanese Civil Society towards TICAD IV on investment and economic growth (pro-poor infrastructure, market access, trade), environment (climate change and liveli- hoods) and human security (human dignity, rights based ap- proach, capacity building). The Workshop recommended the participation of the civil society in TICAD and African Deve- lopment; the extension of Japanese aid to issues of governance in Africa and the collaboration between the Japanese private sector and the African private sector. A Q&A and comments session preceded the closing remarks. This Video Conference exhibited the remarkable growth of the African Civil Society over the past decade and their strong will to contribute to the development of Africa. It also showed Japan’s greater commitment to the growth of Local Africa. In Cameroon, civil society organisations are writing Facilitator their success stories by making their voices heard on topical development issues while initiating and realising several deve- inin EthiopiaEthiopia lopment schemes that directly improve on the lives of the grassroot populations. National and International Fund Do- nors are increasing the areas of collaboration with some credi- ble NGOs to materialise development projects.

By George E.M.M.

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad UB Freshmen on Matriculation Day he University of Buea (UB) organised a ty Governance Policy (NUGP) enunciated by the Head of State, colourful Matriculation Ceremony in Oc- His Excellency Paul Biya. This policy led to reforms geared to- tober to welcome its Freshman on Cam- wards the expansion of the professional and technical degree pro- pus for the 2007-2008 academic year. grammes, decentralisation of financial management, strengthe- T Dressed in ceremonial black suits, the Fresh- ning of good governance, cooperation, quality assurance and self man took oath to abide by the University's rules and evaluation mechanisms with the aim of elevating UB from a regulations while striving for academic excellence. mainly teaching institution to a teaching, research and serviceable Coming from several provinces in Cameroon, university. The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Vincent P.K. Titanji and the freshman expressed their happiness joining this his team now place emphasis on research, professional degree prestigious anglo-saxon styled academic institution programmes and greater opportunities for partnerships with sta- after fulfilling the admission procedures. Armed keholders. with determination, they promised to face the de- UB authorities have welcomed Cameroon Government's manding study program and standards for excellen- decision to align teaching programmes in the higher education ce that the University is well known for. system to the three-tier degree structure known as BMP After the ceremony, the Molyko neighbour- (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) that was already practised in the uni- hood was filled with black suits as the freshman versity. They have completed strategic planning and undertaken took photograhs and gathered in small groups cele- brate the day. Dr. Nalova Lyonga (DVC/T) and her collaborators Dr. Gideon Ngwa and Dr. Joyce Endeley UB, A Success Story in Excellence Since its creation in 2003 as one of the six state Universities, UB has grown into a reference in quality university education in Cameroon. More than thirteen thousand undergraduate degrees and thirteen Doctorates have been awarded so far. Hundreds of laureates in Master's Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas have also passed through the UB. This year, UB authorities are introducing changes contained in the New Universi-

16 About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad ViceVice ChancellorChancellor ProfProf VincentVincent P.K.P.K. TitanjiTitanji

syllabus review processes geared towards the pro- fessionalisation of university programmes. Infras- tucture has been developed to match new pro- grams of study. UB has produced so many talented young professionals over the past decade, who are now serving brilliantly in several spheres around the world. Long Live the UB!

By Christie N. Eyum and Ngoisah N. Magdalene

GardensGardens forfor StudentsStudents'' RelaxationRelaxation betweenbetween LecturesLectures

NewNew AmphitheatresAmphitheatres BakweriBakweri DanceDance GroupsGroups

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad Photos: Courtesy The BUN N° 02 (Sept 07) Dating Tips Isolate The Girl... Get the girl alone and away from her friends so she is free to act her natural self.

I've seen too many guys lose an easy close because they made one critical mistake - they didn't isolate the girl when they had the chance.

Let's look at the basic psychology of females. Women will only go so far with you as long as she's in sight of her friends. As long as she knows her friends are around, she would not like to be called a slut. 97% of women want to avoid being categorized as a "slut" at all costs. Usually the only thought holding a woman back from getting freaky on you is, "What would my friends think of me if I...?"

You can better understand the social pressures women face if you step into their shoes. Just imagine if you were with a hot babe on the dance floor - but - your parents were in the corner watching your every move. Would you feel comfortable simply grabbing and groping her assets and tongue lashing her mouth? Not likely - you'd probably hold back because of what your parents might think.

Just as on Spring Break, you always must separate the woman you're seducing from her friends and family. You must get her alone and into your world and into your world alone. Once you isolate her - alone - she is free to act her natural, lusty self and the other things will proceed superbly well onwards..

Don't be one of those guys who lose out from making this one critical mistake. Isolate the girl when you have your chance! Senior Correspondents PUBLISHER Cameroon George Enow Mbella-Martin Nkeng David (South West Province) Mbella-Martin Luma (Littoral Province) Executive Editor Che Edwin Achu (North West Province)

Ngwantung Akamangwa Ghana Ngwangtung Akamangwa Editor-in-Chief Nigeria Tonge Brunhilda Ebai Suki M.M

South Africa Carl Haddison Advertising Editor About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad Mbella-Martin Eric Luma Finland E-mail: [email protected] Tonge Brunhilda Ebai

Germany Editorial Advisers Sambong Tita John Conrad Clementine Nkweta-Muna United States of America Ete Ewelisane Ekole Ndongo Ekema Likembi Denis Matute Esunge Joyce E. Lefang Ntoko Ntube Jr. Preniker Njumbe

Canada Transport & Logistics Leslie Martin James Mbile CHINA Maggie Oben

Malaysia About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 18 Etimbe Ludwig Cinema The Blues Kingdom ameroon's film lovers and professional gathered at the Hilton Hotel Yaounde on October 26 2007 for the launch ceremony of the film 'The Blues Kingdom' produ- cedC by Agbor Gilbert Ebot. The film is set in an imaginary village in the South West Province of Cameroon and shows a clash between tradition and modernity borne from the practices of female genital mutilation and brest iro- ning on young girls. The film horrifies both practices and shows their harmful effects on the physical and psychologi- cal well being of the the woman. The guests were impressed by the mastery of roles by the cameroonian and nigerian actors and left with hopes that Cameroon's movie industry will brid- ge the gap with that of Nigeria as more cameroonian actors become professionals. Famous Nigerian ac- tors like Zack Orji and Clarion Chukwura joined ca- meroonian stars like Ivan Nnamme, Quinta Eyongas- hu, Magdalene Agbor and others, to make 'The Blues Kingdom' a success. The film launch was presided over by Nigerian High Commissioner to Cameroon and attended by several members of the diplomatic corps, the General Manager of the state’owned Cameroon Radio Televi- sion (CRTV), pressmen and the public. Cameroonians now look forward to buying and watching 'The Blues Kingdom' that will soon go on sale in DVD and VCD fomats.

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(237) 33 42 79 46 19 Places The Rebirth of OBILI

OBILI Junction nce upon a time, cameroonians who came to the capital city Yaounde from the South West and North West Provinces, for profesional and mostly acade- mic reasons, settled in the residential quarter called OBILI. Many english students who came to the University of Cameroon and otherO professional schools, found residence in private student hostels in OBILI. Progressi- vely, OBILI gained the status of an english speaking area in the vastly french speaking city of Yaounde. Indigenes of the Quarter cohabited peacefully with the new population. The students lived in harmony with other anglophone families residing in OBILI. A Bus terminal belonging to the former urban bus transport company SOTUC existed at the OBILI Junction (Carrefour Obili) with several buses leaving for other parts of the city. Former Bus Terminal OBILI had three well kept artificial lakes separating the quarter from the grounds of the nearby University. Many catholic christians worshipped at a famous chapel called CHAPELLE OBILI linked to Carrefour OBILI by a very dusty road. This untarred and dusty road that conti- nued to the Vogt Junction (Carrefour Vogt) became a myth and the identity of OBILI. During the dry season, all rooftops and housewalls in OBILI were brown with dust, as the road. As vehicles sped by, clouds of dust rose into the air. During the rainy seasons, the roads were muddy. Many stories were told by inhabitants to explain why the roads were not tarred like other roads in the city. The situation lasted for so many years. A few years ago, inhabitants of OBILI believed hard when they saw the start of the

New Buildings Tarred Roads Tarred Roads Modern New Student Hostels

20 About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad Chapelle OBILI

construction works on the road in OBILI. Happinness flowed into every house- Chapelle hold when the roads in OBILI were tarred from OBILI junction to the Vogt junc- OBILI tion. Moreso, the road from CRADAT passing through the famous student resi- dential area, Bonamusadi and Chapelle Obili to Lycée Biyemassi was also tarred. This was the rebirth of OBILI. A whole new life to a quarter that had been aban- doned for decades. Several houseowners gave facelifts to their buildings. New buildings sprang up. The old brick-red Chappelle Obili has been given a facelift and fenced. Commercial shops and eating houses are omnipresent. The student population has also grown and OBILI continues to be a famous residential area for english-speaking Cameroonians eventhough many have migrated to other neigbourhoods at Biyemassi, Etoug-ebe, Jouvence, Nsimeyong and Mendong. An older generation of cameroonians who once lived in OBILI still have fond memories of their lives in this once dusty residential area. Several of them met their spouses as students in OBILI. Those who went to the University and Professional schools are serving the country in various domains like the adminis- tration, the army, in schools etc. Hundreds of these have travelled abroad to work in other countries. Several years after independence, OBILI remains a legendary residential neigh- bourhood for many cameroonians. By Shoko Loko B.S. To Carrefour Vogt University of Yaounde I BONAMUSSADI Student Residential Area

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 21 Environment Cameroon Yet to Exploit the Virtues of the Jatropha Curcas

n recent years, attention has been drawn to the phenomena of desertification, soil erosion, use of wood fuel by households, food shortage and increasing poverty of communities in certain areas of the far northern part of Cameroon. Several efforts (tree planting, agricultural schemes) by the Government have still not led to a durable solution that aims at sustaining livelihooods in the local communitiesI while preserving the environment. As Lake Chad decreases its depth, environmentalists have begun to raise concerns. Clearly, the local communities need to fight against the approaching de- sert, get alternative sources to wood fuel, get energy for their grinding mills to transform and preserve corn, millet, groundnuts and other foodstuffs. They also need to grow income generating plants to in- crease their incomes. Concerned environmentalists are looking at efforts in other african countries to solve the same problems. Inevitably, their attention is settling on Mali, a West African country with similar geographical characteristics like the far northern part of Cameroon, that has succesfully experimented for many years the virtues of the Jatropha Curcas plant. While studying the Jatropha Project in Mali several years ago, Reinhard Henning verified his hypothesis that "The Jatropha System creates a positive reciprocity between energy production and environment protection/food production." Mali is a landlocked country in the middle of West Africa, just at the southern edge of the Sahara desert. The country's average annual rainfall ranges from 200 mm in the north to 1200 mm in the south. For generations, farmers have protected their gardens with hedges of Jatropha curcas, or physic nut, which is not eaten by animals and thus protects the foodcrops as a living fence. Jatropha curcas is a plant of Latin American origin which is now widespread throughout arid and semiarid tropical regions of the world. A member of the Euphorbiaceae family, it is a drought-resistant perennial, living up to 50 years and growing on marginal soils. A close relative to the castor plant, its oil has the same medical properties. Jatropha seeds contain about 35% of non-edible oil. The production of seeds is about 1 kg per meter of hedge per year, with an oil yield of 0.2 l. The plant can grow in waste- lands, fertilises the soil that it grows in, and yields more than four times as much fuel per hectare as soy- bean; more than ten times that of corn. A hectare of jatropha produces 1,892 liters of fuel (about 6.5 barrels per acre). Currently, Mali has about 10,000 km of Jatropha hedges with a growth rate of 2,000 km per year, which represents a potential of 5,000,000 liters of oil. The average length of these hedges, in those areas of Mali where they are most prevalent, is between 2 and 15 km per village, with a maximum of up to 40 km per village. Jatropha curcas is generally well-known among the populations of Mali and has long been recogni- zed as a plant of many uses. If carefully planted, Jatropha hedges not only protect gardens from hungry livestock but also reduce damage and erosion from wind and water. Traditionally the seeds were harves- ted by women and used for medical treatments and local soap production. As far back as the 1930's the oil's potential as a fuel source was also recognized. Currently, it can be used to substitute for the "gazoil" mixture used in the Indian type diesel engines that drive grain mills and water pumps in rural areas of Mali. The high-quality oil extracted by engine-driven expellers or by manual ram-presses may be mixed with some of the extraction by-products and used for larger-scale soap making in rural areas, giving local women the chance to gain income and thus strengthen their economic position. Another extraction by-product can be used as a high-grade organic fertilizer. The Jatropha Project was initiated in Mali in 1993 by German Technical Assistance (GTZ). The project works to combine these and other factors into the Jatropha System. This system focuses not simply on the use of Jatropha oil as fuel, but rather on the use of this fuel as a crucial element to activiate a circular system combining ecologic, economic, and income-generating effects, the latter specifically for women Thus, the Jatropha system promotes four main aspects of development, which combine to help assure a sustainable way of life for village farmers and the land that supports them: renewable energy; erosion control; soil improvement and promotion of the woman. In the rural areas in Mali, Lister-type engines are used to drive grainmills and waterpumps. These inexpensive pre-combustion chamber diesel engines of Indian origin require only the addition of a fuel filter to be able to run on pure Jatropha oil, thus eliminating the need for gazoil entirely. Furthermore, at maximal load conditions the Jatropha oil gives even better results than gazoil because of its high oxygen content. Based on tests conducted by the Jatropha Project, the oil can also be successfully used as a lu- bricant in these engines. In equivalent terms, the energy needed to produce Jatropha oil in mechanical presses amounts to less than 10% of the oil obtained. Because Jatropha oil can be produced inexpensively, it can also be sold at prices lower than gazoil's official price at the petrol stations. Even more important than the price is the possibility of local energy production, because of the periodic unavailability of gazoil in the rural areas caused by lack of road access during rainy season. Beyond Mali, Currently the oil from Jatropha Curcas seeds is used for making biodiesel fuel in Philip- pines. Likewise, jatropha oil is being promoted as an easily grown biofuel crop in hundreds of projects throughout India and other developing countries. The rail line between Mumbai and Delhi is planted with Jatropha and the train itself runs on 15-20% biodiesel. With increasing prices in diesel and the growing needs for fuel energy to run generators in rural areas in Cameroon, there are many reasons why the example from Mali should serve as inspiration. Cameroon could even go beyond Jatropha Curcas and exploit palm oil and cane sugar for biofuels in the Southern part of the country. By Achidi Emmanuel Nyindem, Environment Consultant, Douala

22 About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad Cookery The Sweetness of EKWANG kwang is a traditional meal which is commonly eaten in most of our households because it is delicious, balanced and rich in food nutrients. As a traditional meal, originating from the oroko people, precisely from the Ngolo Metoko people in the Ndian Division of the South West Province, it’s so delicious when prepared in theirE style. Ekwang needs two major ingredients: white cocoyams (locally known as macabo cocoyams), and kolokasia leaves (locally called cocoyam leaves).These two vital ingredients mixed with other spices, will enable you prepare a delicious pot of Ekwang. The success of this meal will depend on the cooking ex- pertise of the cook. Ekwang is easy to cook but very tricky too, and that is why a lot of care must be accorded when preparing this meal. Remember that when ekwang is finally cooked, it’s always advisable to eat this meal when hot, I mean hot!

Ingredients 2 heaps white cocoyams (macabo cocoyam) 5-6 bundles of kolokasia (cocoyam leaves) White Cocoyam Smoked Fish Smoked fish Cocoyams Leaves Crayfish Bush spices like bush onion, bush pepper. Palm oil Food sweeteners

Method Cooked by Mirabel M.M 1. Peel, wash and grate cocoyams to obtain its paste. 2. Add salt and a little quantity of water to the cocoyam paste, mix and keep aside. 3. Prepare all other ingredients like the leaves and spices and preserve. 4. Pour some palm oil into the pot (preferably heavy aluminium or 'iron') until it covers the bottom. 5. Wrap the cocoyam paste with leaves in very small (fingersize and length) bundles and arrange one by each, in the pot. 6. As you proceed, put smoked fish and sliced onion bit by bit among the bundles 7. Put on the fire and start cooking. 8. Put a bit of warm water first and allow it to boil for about 10 minutes. 9. Add more palm oil (as suits you) and all other ingredients with emphasis on crayfish, more water, for it to cook for about 30 minutes. 10. Taste your Ekwang and then put other food sweeteners to suit your taste. Allow to cook for about 10more mins. NB. Remember you don’t stir Ekwang on fire, use a wooden spoon with sharp edges or a knife and stir gently like you are drawing lines, to avoid Ekwang from scattering in your pot. Your Ekwang is ready, serve it hot! A bottle of cold fruit juice or palm wine (not beer!) can accompany the meal.

By Linda B. Ekabe

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 23 Limbe

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