Peterkins Manyong
16 May 2008
opinion
On May 3, Northwest journalists performed a feat-:the launch of the Northwest Development Organisation, NOWEDO.
If the fact that news reporters became newsmakers does not sound unusual enough, the fact that the NOWEDO baby survived the onslaught of formidable development abortionists makes its successful launch a miracle.
"What made the onslaught particularly malicious is the fact that it stemmed from no provocation, whatever and was entirely void of the excuse of temptation.Unfortunately for the malefactors, the initiators of NOWEDO were made of sterner stuff. This explains why all efforts to dampen enthusiasm for the project slid on the backs of the organisers like dew drops on a lion's mane.
The massive turnout at Ayaba Hotel was a sanction vote against all those with sabotage motives. The conspirators had erroneously thought that Ntumfor Halle, who set the process in motion by handing the province to the press, had as secret agenda the accession to the presidency of NOWEDO.
It didn't occur to them that being the spokesperson of the Fons, he was by implication the mouthpiece of the province. His position as NEO Northwest Representative rendered any other position in the province subservient as it would add nothing to his reputation.
His detractors, many of whom turned up to see it fail, ironically swelled the population at Ayaba, arousing regrets among NOWEDO lovers that the more spacious Bamenda Congress Hall had not been chosen as the venue of the launch.
More important than the turnout, were the deliberations at the launch. The NOWEDO Constitution was debated upon and adopted, with Chris Mbunwe of The Post, coordinating. The necessity for the launch was articulated by Christopher Choves Loh, Northwest CAMASEJ Chapter President.
Choves Loh hoped NOWEDO would be an improvement on previous attempts to take the province ahead in development. NOWEDO, he said, was intended to be inclusive, not exclusive. Even more fascinating was the election of the NOWEDO pioneer executive.
The public, including NOWEDO's detractors, was taken completely unawares when Ntumfor declined being NOWEDO president. But what was most surprising is that Benedict Fultang who emerged as president, had not been invited for the launch!
At the end of the day, NOWEDO had an executive made up of Mrs. Grace Tima as the first Vice President; Peter Tangyie-Nsunfor, Secretary General, while Ignatius Dingha Bayin, Northwest Paymaster General was elected the Treasurer.
On-the-spot, FCFA1.7 million was raised, with one of the surprising donations (FCFA 100.000) made by Charly Ndi Chia, Editor-in-Chief of The Post. NOWEDO's launch was given the importance it deserved on the popular Cameroon Calling Programme on CRTV by John Mbah Akuro, Ntumfor and Benedict Fultang who were both interviewed, expressed what most Northwesterners feel: that NOWEDO is the handiwork of Almighty God.
One other very significant observation about NOWEDO comes from Sylvester Gwellem, a veteran journalist who said Northwesterners need an organisation like NOWEDO to articulate the hopes and aspirations of its inhabitants, just as SWELA and SOWEDA are doing for the Southwest, LA'kam for the West and Essingan for people of the South and Centre Provinces.
The Northwest had been notoriously familiar for too long. For once, let its inhabitants be known as people who can speak with one voice.The coming into existence of NOWEDO complements the efforts of NOWEFU, which articulates the cultural values of the Northwest. But like every successful venture, the voices of detractors would always be there.
Only a few minutes after the election of NOWEDO's pioneer executive, dissenting voices grumbled that some Divisions of the Province were not represented. They forgot that people of all seven divisions were invited for the launch. The duty of the organisers did not include pulling people out of their homes to attend.
The election was totally free, fair and transparent. These critics should also understand that NOWEDO is not a paying job. Rather its executive members were being called upon to make sacrifices. Sidelining any division is not in its interest. Some of them even said they would work for the reawakening of NOWEDEP. NOWEDO has not claimed the monopoly of developing the Northwest.
But one thing is certain; Northwesterners would not fold their arms and watch anti-development Draculas and witches kill the NOWEDO baby in its cradle. To put the matter in unequivocal terms; backstabbers and other foes to progress would be hit where it hurts, should they toy with the aspirations of development-starved Northwesterners.
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