GBHS Kumbo ’87Stars’ President, Ngong Roland Calls For Collaboration After Election

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The newly elected President of the 1987 class of students (87Stars) of Government Bilingual High School (GBHS) Kumbo, Roland Laika Ngong, has issued a rallying cry for collaboration as the new team takes leadership of the alumni association.

**Roland Laika Ngong, President of 87Stars**

Roland Laika Ngong made the appeal shortly after been declared winner during the elective General Assembly Meeting (AGM) that took place recently in Yaoundé.

Addressing the 87Stars, praised the outgoing executive committee for establishing a strong organizational foundation and promised to build upon their achievements. He stressed that the election’s conclusion marks the beginning of a collaborative chapter for all members, regardless of their voting choices.

“Winning this election was never just about one person,” the President said. “It was a victory for all of us and for the shared vision we hold for our batch. Campaigns can be rigorous and passionate, but now that the election is over and behind us, it is time to unite. I promise to work just as hard for those who did not vote for me as I will for those who did.”

He noted that the organization must transition quickly from campaigning to executing its development agenda. He called on members to pitch structured, data-driven initiatives to the executive committee to spur economic and social growth within the alumni network.

***Newly elected National President, Roland Laika Ngong with Rev Father Verla Paul***

“We have greater unity, unshakable strength and economic growth ahead of us,” the President stated. “We should bring to the executive committee individual and collective proposals for projects that can be measured, controlled and evaluated so that we can collaboratively execute them to forge ahead.”

Alumni associations for schools like GBHS Kumbo play a vital role in Cameroon, often funding school infrastructure, providing scholarships and creating professional networking pipelines for graduates.

To maximize the association’s impact, the newly elected president challenged active members to serve as ambassadors and re-engage classmates who have become inactive. He urged them to spread what he called “the good news” to their passive peers, welcoming them back to the fold.

“Tell them the doors are open and waiting for them, and that the ship is about to set sail,” Ngong said. “They should hurry up and join the ship of their darling 87Stars Kov.”

***Newly elected National President, Roland Laika Ngong with Njobatir Joseph, Yaounde Branch Coordinator***

In a final appeal for collective action, the President said, “If we want to go fast, we go alone. But if we want to go far, we must go together.”

87Stars Newly Elected Exco

National President

Roland Laika Ngong

Vice National President

Lukong Derrick Bongaman

Secretary General

Shey Ramsey Macroga

Vice Secretary General

Shey Fondzenyuy Emmanuel

Treasurer

Tangwa Rabia

Financial Secretary

Tata Elison Foboiy

Pro- Public Communication Secretary

Ngong Gloria

Vice Pro- Public Communication Secretary

Tohtin Eucharia

Social Co-Ordinators

-Binnyuy Elison

-Kibuh Esther

-Shey Mainimo Vincent

-Meye Doris

-Ayenni Eucharia

-Yeika Pascaline

Discipline

-Shey Jaff Gilfort

-Shey Gwen Kwebani

-Ayenni Hycinth

-Achomba Theres

Post Created

Culture And Music Co-Odinators

-Shey Yiveyuvi Julius (Ntoh)

-Awah Claude Eseme

-Tata Aidean

Advisers

Rev. Pastor Samuel

Rev. Father Verla Paul

Ngah Donald

Shey Woolam Apo

Maica Collete

Lafnyuy Ernest

Shey Rufon Eric

Shey Nwa Busho

Sengafor Emmanuel

Kome Emmanuel

Wirmvem Patrcia

Vejaih Pascaline

Yeika Pascaline

Co-Ordinators Of The Different Seven Branches

Yaounde- Branch

Njobatir Joseph

Diaspora

Ticha Ignatius

Douala

Bongaman Derick Lukong

Bamenda

Tata .Elison Foboiy

West

Tatah Williams

South West

Verjai Pascaline

Home Branch

Tohtin Eucharia

Hon. Adamu Edward Joins Egyptian Ambassador To Mark Independence Day Celebration

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Hon. Adamu Edward Lambe, Member of Parliament for the Donga-Mantung East Special Constituency (Nwa Sub-Division), on July 13 joined the Egyptian Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Dalia Fayez Farag Ghubrial, to celebrate Egypt’s National Day.

**H.E. Dalia Fayez Farag Ghubrial and Hon. Adamu Edward Lambe during celebrations**

At the diplomatic reception in Yaoundé, Ambassador Ghubrial used the occasion to drum more for stronger bilateral relations between Cairo and Yaoundé. Hon. Lambe attended the event as the official representative of the House Speaker, Hon. Théodore Datouo.

This marks a historic milestone for the Nwa Sub-Division, as it is the first time a Member of Parliament from the constituency has been designated for such a high-profile diplomatic assignment. For Hon. Lambe, the occasion was both a significant honor and a major opportunity.

According to several Nwa indigenes, the Speaker’s decision to delegate their MP to this event is a strong signal that the sub-division is gaining well-deserved diplomatic recognition.

**Hon. Adamu Edward Lambe and other personalities during celebrations**

In addition to his parliamentary duties, Hon. Adamu Edward Lambe serves as the Vice President of the Cameroon-Egypt Parliamentary Friendship Group, as well as the President of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups for both Cameroon-Libya and Cameroon-Madagascar.

Bertoua To Host 2026 ANAFOOT Regional Tournament As Teams Battle To Dethrone Far North

By Brian Mboh

The battle to dethrone the reigning title holders—the Far North region champions of the 2024 and 2025 editions of the National Football Academy (ANAFOOT) Regional Poles Talent Tournament—will take place in Bertoua from July 18 to 26, 2026.

Over nine days, the youth football jamboree—expected to be held at the Bertoua Municipal Stadium—will bring together 160 ANAFOOT conscripts, both male and female, from the U-17 to U-20 age categories.

Selected from the 10 regional poles, the players were chosen following evaluations in their respective zones. The opening match is scheduled for Monday, July 19, 2026, at 3 p.m., at the Bertoua Municipal Stadium. The 200 players will compete in 10 teams of 20 each. The tournament is divided into two poles.

The ANAFOOT Regional Poles Tournament brings together young male players currently training at the Academy’s 10 regional poles, across the U-17 to U-20 age groups.

It gives young ANAFOOT trainees the chance to become more competitive while allowing coaches to assess players’ skill levels and showcase their talent in a high-level football setting. Beyond increasing visibility, the tournament will help optimize players’ learning and evaluate the effectiveness of the training programs implemented.

The event will also encourage each trainee to adopt a structured and rational approach that includes performance, civic responsibility, good citizenship, and ethics. Elite clubs and other teams competing in local leagues will have the opportunity to recruit ANAFOOT players. A panel of experts will monitor matches to identify the most talented players.

These standouts will be presented and selected during a special ceremony, marking the fourth such draft in Cameroon. Created in 2014 by presidential decree, ANAFOOT is mandated, among other responsibilities, to train young people in high-level football.

Since March 2018, it has trained more than 2,000 young male and female trainees, and the Center, South-West, East, and Far North regions have won the competition since its inception.

WirfonCloud Academy Founder Announces Beginner-Friendly Guide To Linux For Cloud Learners

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

WirfonCloud Academy founder and tech entrepreneur Banjika Ngo (Mfòómé Bá’tí Europe) is set to launch a new textbook aimed at equipping the next generation of cloud engineers with critical foundational skills.

The book, titled “Linux Fundamentals for Cloud Learners,” debuts on Wednesday, July 15, offering a practical, beginner-friendly guide that bridges the gap between basic computing and advanced cloud infrastructure.

The publication arrives at a critical juncture for the tech industry, where specialised infrastructure and artificial intelligence rely heavily on core operating systems. According to industry data, 90 percent of cloud server instances run on Linux, making it the quiet backbone of modern virtual machines, containers and automation scripts.

Ngo said a lack of foundational knowledge frequently holds aspiring Cloud/AI engineers back. Many students jump straight into cloud dashboards and certifications without understanding what runs underneath, he said — comparing the mistake to opening a shop without learning how to count change.

“The shop might look open from the outside,” Ngo said. “But every transaction is an opportunity to lose money without knowing why. The customers are not the problem. The missing foundation is.”

The book is designed to demystify complex concepts for absolute beginners, guiding readers sequentially from the fundamental question of “what is a computer?” to deploying a live server on Amazon Web Services (AWS). It aligns explicitly with the Linux Professional Institute’s Linux Essentials certification path, drawing on Ngo’s more than 15 years of hands-on IT and cloud experience, including a decade as a certified Red Hat engineer.

**Banjika Ngo (Mfòómé Bá’tí Europe), WirfonCloud Academy founder and tech entrepreneur**

Reflecting on his own career milestones, Ngo recalled the intensity of taking his performance-based Red Hat Certified System Administrator exam in December 2016 — a gruelling three-hour test on a live system, with no study guides or multiple-choice shortcuts.

“What that experience reinforced in me was something I had already believed from years in the field,” Ngo said. “You do not learn Linux by reading about it. You learn it by doing it.”

For six years, Ngo has taught these concepts through live Zoom workshops and local study groups. He found that translating abstract code into everyday analogies — market stalls, house keys — helped students grasp the material immediately. The desire to scale that impact beyond a scheduled live session ultimately drove him to write the book.

“A live session only reaches the people in the room that day,” Ngo said. “A book reaches the person who is stuck at 11 p.m., phone in hand, trying to understand why their command didn’t work.”

The release marks the first installment of Ngo’s “Foundation First” series, which will eventually include volumes on Networking and Python programming.

The hard copy of the book will be available on amazon.de, ebook on amazon.com and also through the academy’s official website, academy.wirfoncloud.com, and the platform is offering complimentary soft copies to students who enrol in the corresponding hands-on intensive course.

About WirfonCloud Academy

WirfonCloud Academy is an African cloud and IT education platform based in Rwanda, teaching Linux, Networking and Python before Cloud and AI — the “Foundation First” approach. Courses are live at academy.wirfoncloud.com. Graduate stories are documented on YouTube at youtube.com/@wirfoncloud.

My Advice, Drawn From My Wirfoncloud Experience, Is To Engage In Hands-On Practice Early – Shuufaay Kibeey US

To successfully transition into cloud computing, aspiring tech professionals must prioritize early, hands-on practice and community mentorship over raw certifications. That is the advice of Shuufaay Kibeey US, who recently spoke with news-lens in an exclusive interview. Acknowledging that breaking into IT from a non-technical background in political science and oil & gas was a steep mountain to climb, Shuufaay Kibeey US said finding a supportive network through WirfonCloud changed everything. Ultimately, he notes, while certifications establish a baseline, it is the actual building and experimenting in sandboxes that transforms a career pivot into a reality. Read the excerpt:

Excerpt:

Every major career pivot begins with a single spark. How did you first cross paths with WirfonCloud, and looking back, in what specific ways did that initial encounter completely alter the trajectory of your professional and personal life?

My spark came out of a hard moment. I was working in Oil and Gas when COVID hit, and like a lot of people in that industry, I watched the work dry up week by week until I was eventually laid off. I wasn’t just looking for a job — I wanted something that would challenge me, pay the bills, and actually have room to grow.

That’s when Fai Kitav, a close friend, mentioned WirfonCloud. He didn’t just drop the name and move on — he invited me to sit in on one of their Zoom calls so I could see it for myself instead of taking his word for it. That single call was the spark. What stood out on that call was the experience and calmness of the instructor; Mr. Banjika Ngo, the way they explained complex concepts, highlighting the numerous opportunities that Cloud Computing provides as well as the excitement of other students. Looking back, that one conversation changed the trajectory of my career in a special way.

Considering your background in Political Science and the Oil & Gas industry, what pivotal moment or insight motivated your successful transition into Cloud Engineering, and how did you overcome the initial learning curve?

My path here wasn’t a straight line. Political Science gave me a foundation in analysis and understanding complex systems, and Oil & Gas gave me years of practical, high-stakes industry experience. But the pivotal moment came when COVID hit the energy sector hard. Watching layoffs ripple through a company and an industry I’d built a career in made one thing clear: this wasn’t a temporary dip, it was a structural shift. At the same time, I couldn’t ignore what was happening in tech; cloud computing was accelerating, demand for skilled engineers was climbing, and companies were investing in it even as other industries pulled back. That contrast was the insight: one path was shrinking, the other was clearly growing. The decision to pivot into Cloud Engineering came from that side-by-side reality, not just hope that something else might work out.

The learning curve, honestly, hit me on every front at once. I was learning technical concepts; networking, systems, cloud architecture: completely from scratch, with no prior tech background to lean on. That came with real imposter syndrome; it’s humbling to go from being competent and experienced in one field to being a total beginner in another. On top of that, I had to balance studying with the practical pressure of bills, family support and a job search, and even once concepts started clicking, there was a real gap between understanding theory and actually being able to do the work hands-on.

What got me through was a combination of things, not any single fix. WirfonCloud gave me structure and mentorship so I wasn’t trying to figure out the right path alone. I built a disciplined daily study routine, because consistency mattered more than intensity. Hands-on labs and projects closed the gap between “I understand this” and “I can do this,” which is where real confidence came from. And I leaned on support from people like Fai Kitav, Thecla Mbunwe, Yvonne Meilam, and others around me, who kept me grounded when the imposter syndrome got loud.

Looking back, the hardest part wasn’t any one obstacle; it was holding discipline, support, and practice together at the same time until they reinforced each other.

Given your diverse learning journey, encompassing mentoring, bootcamps, and self-study, how do you strategically approach learning new cloud technologies or solving complex technical problems you haven’t encountered before?

My approach comes directly from how I learned in the first place; through a mix of mentoring, structured bootcamp training, and self-study. So I don’t rely on just one method when I hit something new. I treat each new problem the same way: break it down, draw on the right resource for that specific piece, then make sure it doesn’t disappear once I’ve solved it.

The first thing I do with any unfamiliar technology or problem is break it into smaller, manageable pieces. Cloud systems can look overwhelming as a whole, but almost every complex issue is really a handful of smaller, more approachable ones stacked together. Isolating those pieces tells me exactly where my gap in understanding actually is, instead of feeling stuck in a vague, general way.

From there, I lean on a mix of resources depending on what the problem calls for. If it’s something foundational, I’ll go to official documentation. If it’s something gnarly or non-obvious, I’ll bring it to mentors or experienced colleagues, or pull from the bootcamp and WirfonCloud community and that network has stayed valuable well past the training itself, because there’s almost always someone who’s already run into the same wall.

Once I’ve actually solved it, I take time to document the process and reflect on what made it difficult in the first place. Writing it down, whether that’s a quick note, a runbook, or just a clear explanation to myself turns a one-off fix into something I can reuse. And reflecting on why it was hard helps me catch patterns, so I’m not just collecting solved problems; I’m actually getting faster and sharper at the next unfamiliar one.

That combination of breaking things down, pulling from the right mix of people and resources, then documenting and reflecting is what lets me approach something I’ve never seen before with confidence instead of dread.

With your current role involving migration from AWS to Azure, what were the most significant technical and operational challenges you faced in adapting your AWS expertise to the Azure ecosystem, and how did you address them?

Moving from AWS to Azure tested whether I actually understood cloud concepts or had just memorized AWS’s specific implementation of them and it turned out to be a mix of both. The technical challenges showed up on several fronts at once. Mapping AWS services to their Azure equivalents wasn’t always one-to-one — IAM doesn’t translate cleanly to Azure AD, and S3 doesn’t behave identically to Blob Storage, even when they solve similar problems. The networking model was its own adjustment, since VNets and NSGs follow different logic than VPCs and security groups, even though they’re solving the same underlying problem. On top of that, Azure’s terminology and console navigation slowed me down at first simply because muscle memory from AWS didn’t transfer, and cost management and governance worked differently enough that I had to relearn how to think about resource organization, not just where to click.

Operationally, the challenges were just as real. Coordinating cutover timing to minimize downtime meant planning around dependencies I couldn’t always see until I was deep into the migration. Getting stakeholders and teams aligned on the plan took as much communication as it did technical work. Documentation and knowledge transfer mattered enormously, since the team needed to operate confidently in Azure after I was done, not just trust that the migration worked. And managing rollback risk meant building in safety nets for the moments when something didn’t go as planned mid-migration.

I addressed all of this with the same multi-pronged approach I use for any unfamiliar problem. Microsoft Learn and Azure certifications gave me the structured foundation. Hands-on labs and sandbox testing let me validate my understanding before touching anything in production, which mattered enormously given the stakes of a live migration. I leaned on mentors and teammates with deeper Azure experience whenever I hit something genuinely unfamiliar rather than burning time guessing. And I built comparison references mapping AWS concepts directly to their Azure counterparts, which let me translate my existing expertise instead of starting from zero.

The biggest lesson from the whole migration was that cloud expertise isn’t really about knowing one platform’s commands; it is about understanding the underlying concepts well enough to re-map them when the platform changes underneath you.

Reflecting on your journey from a non-IT background to a Senior Cloud Computing Engineer, what is your vision for the future of cloud technology, and using Wirfon Cloud as reference, what single piece of advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to make a similar career transition?

Looking at where cloud technology is headed, I think the biggest shift is the convergence of AI, Machine Learning and cloud infrastructure. Automation and AI-driven operations are becoming embedded in how cloud systems are built and managed, not just a layer added on top. At the same time, multi-cloud and hybrid environments are becoming the norm rather than the exception, which I’ve experienced firsthand managing an AWS-to-Azure migration. Companies aren’t betting on a single platform anymore; they’re building for flexibility across ecosystems. My vision is a future where the most valuable cloud engineers aren’t the ones who know one platform deeply, but the ones who understand the underlying concepts well enough to move fluidly between platforms and increasingly AI-augmented systems as the landscape keeps shifting.

If I had to give one piece of advice to someone considering a similar transition, drawing on what actually got me here through WirfonCloud, it would be this: don’t try to do it alone, and don’t wait until you feel “ready” to start getting your hands dirty. I came from Political Science and Oil & Gas; about as far from a traditional IT background as you can get and what made the difference wasn’t waiting until I felt qualified. It was finding a community and mentors through WirfonCloud who could guide me, combined with getting into hands-on labs and real practice early, instead of trying to learn everything in theory first. The certifications and concepts matter, but they only became real once I was actually building and breaking things in a sandbox. Community plus hands-on practice, started early rather than “eventually,” is what turns a career pivot from a hopeful idea into an actual outcome.

Your journey with WirfonCloud has been a significant chapter in your professional evolution. Looking back at your time there, what specific projects or cultural elements within the organization most accelerated your growth, and how did that environment help solidify your transition from a non-IT background into a senior-level engineer?

The single biggest accelerator was what I term the “capstone project”, which pulled together cloud migration, building out networking, server, and security infrastructure, and DevOps practices, all tied directly into the certification track. It wasn’t a series of disconnected exercises; rather, it was structured the way real engineering work actually is; where migration decisions affect infrastructure design, infrastructure design affects security posture, and DevOps practices tie all of it together into something that actually runs. That integration mattered, because it mirrored real workplace problems rather than isolated textbook scenarios, and it forced me to make decisions under genuine ambiguity, the same way I would on the job, instead of following a predefined answer key. By the time I finished it, I had something concrete to point to in interviews and in my portfolio, but more importantly, it was the project where I stopped feeling like a student working through assignments and started feeling like an engineer solving real problems.

That capstone landed as hard as it did because of the culture around it. The mentorship gave me access to experienced engineers who’d actually lived through the kinds of problems I was hitting for the first time, so I wasn’t guessing in the dark. The peer community mattered just as much as learning alongside others making the same leap from non-IT backgrounds meant I never felt isolated in the struggle, and seeing peers work through the same uncertainty normalized it instead of making it feel like a personal failing. And the structure and accountability, deadlines, milestones, regular check-ins; kept momentum going during a period where, frankly, it would have been easy to lose discipline given everything else going on in my life at the time.

Looking back, that combination is what solidified the transition for me. The capstone gave me the technical proof that I could actually do the work at a senior level, and the mentorship, community, and structure around it gave me the support system to get there without losing confidence along the way. WirfonCloud didn’t just teach me cloud engineering; it built the environment that made the transition stick.

With the upcoming launch of WirfonCloud Academy with Foundation First as first step, based on your own experience, how will this foundational focus protect newcomers from hitting a wall when they encounter complex, real-world cloud architectures?

WirfonCloud’s Foundation First addresses exactly the gap I felt most acutely in my own transition. Coming from Political Science and Oil & Gas, I didn’t have a technical baseline to fall back on and every new cloud concept had to be built from nothing, often at the same time I was trying to understand the cloud-specific tooling sitting on top of it. That’s a hard way to learn, because you’re solving two problems at once: the fundamental concept and its cloud implementation.

What Foundation First does differently is separate those two problems. By starting with Linux and Networking fundamentals, things like the OSI model, DNS, subnetting, and firewalls before ever touching AWS-specific services, newcomers build the underlying mental models first. Then, when they get to AWS Cloud Practitioner, Solutions Architect, and Terraform, they’re not learning two things simultaneously. They’re applying a foundation they already trust to a new, specific context. That’s the difference between memorizing steps and actually understanding why those steps work, which is exactly what falls apart the moment a real-world architecture doesn’t behave like the tutorial did.

In my own experience, the moments I hit a wall were almost always foundational, not cloud-specific, a networking concept I didn’t fully grasp, a Linux command I was using without understanding what it actually did under the hood. Those gaps don’t show up in a simple lab exercise, but they show up fast in a live, real-world architecture with multiple interacting pieces. A program that closes those gaps before introducing complexity means newcomers hit that complexity with something solid underneath them, instead of discovering the gap at the worst possible moment; mid-project, under pressure, with something live depending on it.

That’s the real protection Foundation First offers: it doesn’t make the complexity of real-world cloud architecture disappear, but it makes sure newcomers are standing on solid ground when they finally meet it.

Interviewed by Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Celebrations Of American Independence: US Embassy Yaounde, PM’s Office Strengthen Ties Through Sports Diplomacy

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

As part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde through the Striking Eagles FC and the Prime Minister’s Office have strengthened bilateral ties through sports diplomacy.

**Players and officials gather for a pre-match group photo** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation during a friendly soccer match at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde on July 4. Although the Prime Minister’s Office team won the match, both teams emphasized the fair and friendly spirit of the game.

Speaking after the match, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. John G. Robinson, expressed his satisfaction with the event, noting that celebrating “Freedom 250” through sports was an excellent initiative.

**Striking Eagles of the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

“This is because sport brings people together,” Robinson said, adding, “And also because the World Cup is taking place right now in the United States. I think today is the perfect day to have this kind of friendly match.”

Robinson stated that the U.S. and Cameroon share a long-standing partnership dating back to Jan. 1, 1960, when Cameroon gained its independence. Since then, he said, the U.S. has pledged close and friendly relations between the two countries.

“And ever since, we’ve been cooperating in education, exchange partnerships, the Peace Corps program, economic and commercial engagement, security partnership as well as health,” he said. “We’re always looking at ways that we can sort to take it to the next level.”

**Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. John G. Robinson delivering the honorary kickoff to start the match** (Poto: Mainimo Etienne)

Prince Leonard Junior Mabengue, representing the Prime Minister’s Office and serving as the Cameroon country head of the Jampur Group, said the friendly match aimed to consolidate the relationship between Cameroon and America through sports diplomacy.

As Americans celebrate their 250th Independence Anniversary, Mabengue said the friendly game was a special way to connect with them.

Isa Adamu, President of the Striking Eagles, praised the event as a fitting tribute to the U.S. Independence Day anniversary. “The match was tough. We couldn’t win as usual, but I appreciate my team for the fair play and we hope the return leg will not be the same,” Adamu said.

**Prime Minister’s Office Team** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

The Striking Eagles’ team captain, Chenwie Polycarp Tala also commended their opponents. “The Prime Minister Office has a great team. There was good coordination, there’s discipline throughout the game,” he said. “Even though the score line was not favorable on our side, I think generally the game was a fantastic game.”

Players from the Prime Minister’s Office called it a great day to celebrate U.S. Independence Day. Following their strong performance in the first leg, they said they look forward to the return match with high hopes.

The Embassy also used the opportunity to engage the audience, quizzing spectators on U.S. independence history as they watched the match.

**Teams battling for victory** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

**A football custom-designed with the Cameroonian and U.S. flags** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

Dr. Cyprian Njoaka Pleads With Nso Community To Forgive, Embrace Peace

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The midday sun beat down on the Squares neighborhood as a crowd slowly gathered and standing boldly at the center was Dr. Cyprian Njoaka Mbiydzenyuy. In a powerful, symbolic gesture, the Third Deputy Mayor of Kumbo removed two peace plants from a plastic paper, holding them up as a silent plea to a community fractured by discord.

**Dr. Cyprian Njoaka speaking before the crowd with peace plants**

Dr. Mbiydzenyuy called on the Nso community to shy away from hatred and embrace peace as the ultimate goal. Braving the odds to speak directly to the people, he insisted there is no place for hatred.

“We need to embrace peace and that is why I am here,” Dr. Mbiydzenyuy told the crowd. “Let us let love to dwell among us. In and out of Nso, we don’t seem to love each other. Please, please, we need to love each other and embrace peace.”

Reflecting on the bicentennial celebrations, he said, “Now that we are celebrating 200 years since the capital of Nso came to Kimbo, all we need to do is to embrace peace no matter where it comes from and who comes with it,” Dr. Mbiydzenyuy said. “Nso is finishing.”

He urged community members to look past their differences and acknowledge their shared hardships.

“Look, everybody is out,” he said. “We have seen what you are going through and what our sons and daughters are going through out of Nso, and the least we can do is for us to come as one and forge for peace. Peace is the only asset that can make us grow.”

Telling his story to the crowd, he recounted the immense losses he had suffered: five of his houses were burned to ashes, his 98 cattle were taken away, and his poultry farm was completely destroyed, among other things.

Although grieved by the destruction, he used the opportunity to publicly forgive those who destroyed his property. ” I forgive those who did the act and also whatever wrong I have done to anyone, I ask that they forgive me,” he said.

“As Nso is already in the process of forgiveness and reconciliation, peace should reign. It is time to do this. The return of Ngonnso is another opportunity for us to come together, reconcile, and receive our Ngonnso in peace,” he added. “Let us all make peace from our hearts.”

Dr. Mbiydzenyuy however offered an open door, stating that anyone who needs assistance should not hesitate to approach him, emphasizing that mutual support is vital for the community’s survival.

New Homeowner’s Dream Realized As MASO ACT 6 Raffle Draw Changes Lives

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The roar of the crowd was deafening. Then, a single voice cut through, not just with a shout, but with a testimony. In an instant, the life of Henry Charles changed forever.

**A cross-section of mutualists awaiting the raffle draw** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Charles had just been named one of three beneficiaries of a house under the Mutual Assistance and Solidarity (MASO) Act 6 initiative, organized by RENAPROV Finance S.A. As the announcement was made at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on July 4, the weight of the moment was deep.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he struggled to find words, caught between tears and the urge to leap for joy. When he finally spoke, it was to offer a simple, profound declaration of faith. “I want to thank God for this, for this opportunity, for this privilege, for this grace. It’s the hand of God. I cannot lie,” Charles said.

For the first-time winner, the victory was more than just a financial windfall; it was a spiritual confirmation. Still in a state of shock, he shared a message of hope to the thousands gathered and those watching from afar.

**Henry Charles praises God after becoming a homeowner**

“Somebody that is listening to me today, one thing I want to let them know is that God is still speaking, and God is real,” Charles said. “So, it’s not by my strength, it’s not by my power. It’s only by God.”

Charles was not alone in his euphoria. The event, which drew a massive crowd, permitted mutualists to bagged home financial support ranging from FCFA 100,000 to 2,000,000. For many of the winners, the initiative represents more than a handout; it offers a path to stability designed to help break the cycle of poverty and achieve long-term goals.

Another beneficiary, a six-year veteran of the MASO program, expressed words of community transformed. Having never won anything before, he dedicated his prayers to a specific goal: securing a home.

**Naseri Paul Bea, Center Regional Governor draws the first names of home winners** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

“It’s been 6 years that I’ve been playing MASO and I have never won anything else, but today I am going to be a proud owner of a house,” he said. “Before, I used to play to ask for money. This time, I asked, I played for the house, and I told myself that the house is going to come to me. So, I’m very happy. Thank you to MASO.” For the winners, a new chapter has begun.

Presiding over the event, Center Region Governor, Naseri Paul Bea commended the initiative, positioning it as a vital complement to government efforts. He emphasized the state’s dedication to supporting serious programs that strengthen social cohesion, financial inclusion, and economic development.

Naseri Paul Bea, however, urged winners to treat their new assets with responsibility, rigor, and discipline, ensuring they become genuine tools for wealth creation. He also encouraged those still on the sidelines to reconsider joining.

**Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Noël Bissaï, President of the Board of Directors of RENAPROV Finance S.A. and promoter of MASO during the event** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

“I would also like to invite the populations who are not yet members of this mutual society to take a closer interest in the organized solidarity mechanisms, which today constitute an important complement to the development efforts undertaken by the public authorities,” Naseri Paul Bea said.

He added, “Don’t forget always to contribute, always to return, pay your debts, and always to leverage what you have won on this day to live national solidarity.”

Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Noël Bissaï, President of the Board of Directors of RENAPROV Finance S.A. and promoter of MASO, stressed the need for community self-reliance in the face of shifting economic climates.

“We must organize ourselves,” Bissaï said, pointing to tightening geopolitical and budgetary constraints impacting the country. “The state can no longer do everything. We must promote the idea of solidarity. We must tell our brothers and sisters that, united, like our ancestors before us, they were strong, we will be strong. But dispersed, it will not work.”

While congratulating the winners, Rev. Pastor Bissaï urged them to act as ambassadors and share their testimonies with those who still doubt the program.

For those who did not win, organizers encouraged them not to lose hope, reminding them that a better future lies ahead. MASO aims to empower its members long-term through mutual funding, entrepreneurial support, health benefits, and academic assistance.

**A beneficiary celebrates after her name is drawn in the raffle** (*Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

US Independence Day: Freedom 250 Is Not Simply A Celebration Of Our Past, But A Commitment To An Even Stronger Future – John G. Robinson

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. John G. Robinson has said Freedom 250 is not simply a celebration of the American past but a commitment to an even stronger future.

**Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. John G. Robinson speaking during the celebrations** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

Robinson made the remarks June 2 at the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in Charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, Félix Mbayu, other government dignitaries and traditional authorities attended the event.

“Two hundred and fifty years after my country’s founding, the American story is still being written,” Robinson said. “Freedom 250 is not simply a celebration of our past, but a commitment to an even stronger future.”

He further stated that he is confident the partnership between the United States and Cameroon will continue to be an important part of that future for many years to come.

Robinson indicated that in August, the United States and Cameroon will launch a bilateral economic and trade dialogue, with the aim of increasing bilateral trade, attracting investment, including in the mining sector, and improving the business climate.

*Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. John G. Robinson and* Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in Charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, Félix Mbayu during the celebrations *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

“Just as the United States has stood by Cameroon since the first day of its independence, we are ready, through our private companies, to support Cameroon’s digital modernization in a way that strengthens its sovereignty,” he said.

Stating that Freedom 250 evokes milestones in the relationship between the two countries, Robinson recalled that on Jan. 1, 1960, at the advice of Secretary of State Christian Herter, President Dwight Eisenhower wrote to Ahmadou Ahidjo, prime minister of Cameroon. More than six decades later, Robinson said, this commitment remains intact.

“In the Lake Chad Basin, Cameroon has demonstrated unwavering resolve in the face of the threats posed by Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, and the United States has provided consistent support for regional security and stability, a commitment demonstrated by recent visits by senior U.S. military officials to Cameroon,” Robinson said.

He added: “We are determined to protect our borders and uphold our laws. This is why the U.S. justice system has prosecuted individuals in the United States for supporting violence in Cameroon, including in the Northwest and Southwest regions.”

**Cross section of government dignitaries during celebrations marking 250th anniversary of American Independence** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

In the health sector, he said the two countries have signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding worth $850 million (486 billion FCFA), concretely demonstrating America’s shared commitment to improving the health conditions of the populations.

Recalling his early days in Cameroon as a Peace Corps volunteer, Robinson noted that for over 60 years, thousands of Peace Corps volunteers have lived and worked alongside Cameroonians, building bridges between communities and countries.

“The strongest partnerships are not measured solely by agreements or programs,” he said, “but above all through people: the friendships formed, the skills shared and the links that unite our two countries across generations.”

During the Independent celebartions, Robinson officially presented the Government of Cameroon with a Taylor guitar—made in the United States using Cameroonian ebony wood harvested from sustainable sources.

Describing the guitar as a symbol of bilateral cooperation, Robinson noted that it “reminds us that when Americans and Cameroonians pool their talents, resources, and mutual dedication, we produce outcomes that surpass what either nation could accomplish on its own.”

**Cross section of traditional authorities during celebrations marking 250th anniversary of American Independence** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Throughout the year, a series of events marking the milestone, called “Freedom 250,” have taken place including some sports diplomacy initiatives. At the Yaounde Embassy, the Founder’s Museum was unveiled, which showcases the people, ideas and legal milestones that shaped America’s independence.

The museum will remain open at the Embassy through January 2027 and is expected to draw visitors eager to explore the exhibit and learn about the history and principles that guided the founding of the United States.

Creative Corner Urges First Graduating Cohort To Build Confidence, Creativity

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Over Forty students from the Holy Infant School Complex have been urged to embrace their creative confidence as they graduated from a intensive six-month arts training program.

**Cross section of student creations exhibited during the ceremony** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

The graduation ceremony for the program’s first cohort took place on June 27 and was chaired by Juliette Foxx, Creator and Creative Consultant.

In partnership with the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation, Creative Corner offered free Saturday classes for youth aged 13 to 18. The initiative allowed participants to explore weaving, leatherwork, printmaking, jewelry-making, footwear design and bag design.

Local artisans taught the classes, passing down techniques rooted in Cameroon’s rich craft traditions while helping students explore contemporary design and fashion. The ceremony brought together students, families, instructors and members of Yaoundé’s creative community for an afternoon of fashion, crafts, student performances and awards.

**Juliette Foxx, Creator and Creative Consultant speaking during the event** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

“Build your confidence. Work hard,” Foxx told the graduates. “And I hope that none of you ever feel you have to leave because opportunity just doesn’t exist here for you.”

Foxx encouraged the students to hold on to the joy and confidence they discovered every time they completed a bag or a shoe.

“Hold on to the friendships that you’ve built here, and the laughter and the curiosity,” Foxx said. “Because there will be moments when life tries to convince you that your dreams are unrealistic, maybe you’re not talented enough, you’re not smart enough, or connected enough, or you’re not ready. I need you to do me a favor, and don’t believe it.”

**Cross section of students from Holy Infant School Complex during the ceremony** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

She added that holding on to joy, kindness and hope are radical acts.

“So, every single one of you, my little creative rascals, I need you to stay radical,” Foxx said. “I can’t wait to wear your collections one day. I look forward to seeing you become future designers, entrepreneurs, makers, tastemakers and creative leaders who will shape the future of fashion.”

Reflecting on her own childhood, Foxx shared that she was always full of ideas and loved drawing and weaving on any piece of paper she could find, including her schoolbooks.

“I loved fashion before I knew what fashion really was,” she said. “And I loved creating before I ever understood that creativity could become a career.”

**Pascal, representative of Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation during the ceremony** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

Neil Clifford, Chief Executive of Kurt Geiger, congratulated the students via a video message, emphasizing that creativity would remain one of their greatest strengths regardless of their chosen career paths.

Pascal who was in Cameroon on behalf of Kurt Geiger said, “Creativity is about solving problems; seeing opportunities where others see obstacles, having the confidence to imagine something different, and having the courage to bring it to life.”

For graduate Favour Chah, the past six months were challenging but transformative.

“it was very tough because we didn’t know we could do anything,” Chah said. We used raffia, we used marking touch, we used beads, we used several shiny things, yes, to arrange the bag, shoes. It was extremely amazing, and we are proud of it. We can say boldly that we will be able to deliver 100% on the opportunities given to us,” Chah said.

**Awunti Nah, from Holy Infant Academic Complex speaking during the ceremony** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

Confidence Chah, a parent of one of the graduates, expressed immense pride in the students’ progress.

“I feel extremely happy,” Chah said. “When they started in January, I looked at it as if it was just a joke. Some parents did not believe.”

**Neil Clifford, Chief Executive of Kurt Geiger, congratulating students via a video message** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

Awunti Nah, from Holy Infant Academic Complex, noted that the training taught students to be respectful, open to alternative ideas and accepting of differences.

“Artists are the custodians of empathy,” Nah said. “We hold a mirror up to society, giving a voice to the voiceless, capturing the unspoken troubles of our communities and imagining worlds that do not yet exist.”

**Officials pose for a family picture** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

Nah urged the graduates to remain fearless and to protect art as a pursuit of freedom rather than just profit.

“Do not fear the difficult. Do not fear the unknown. Keep asking the hard questions,” Nah said. “Keep making mistakes and keep creating. The world needs your passion and your courage now more than ever.”

The next Creative Corner cohort is scheduled to begin in October, with plans to introduce more digital design instruction to the curriculum.

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