Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

Close to 77 Million FCFA have been injected by Elites of the North-West region in order to concretize the Bambili water project estimated at 600 Million FCFA. Natives of Bambili alongside other sons and daughters of the North-West region gathered on Saturday, 4th December 2021, during a fundraising ceremony organized by the Mbeligi Cultural and Development Association, MBECUDA. The initiative lauded by many was a great success thanks to key actors like His Royal Highness, Fon. Afungchui III, Eric Adangfung, President General of the Bambili Cultural and Development Association and by the way current General Manager of the Upper Nun Valley Development Authority, UNVDA and Honourable Agho Oliver, Member of Parliament for the Bafut-Tubah constituency. As stated by the organizers, the aim of this grandiose rally that took place at the esplanade of the Bambili Royal palace, was to raise a significant amount of money that will lead to phase II of the giant Bambili water project. The overall project cost estimated at 600 Million FCFA is expected in order to relieve populations and students of this locality. Young and energetic Member of Parliament for the Bafut-Tubah constituency, Honourable Agho Oliver, despite his tight agenda currently marked by the November Ordinary session of parliament dedicated to the adoption of the 2022 state budget, actively took part in this milestone. Honourable Agho Oliver whose core activities are centred on the well-being of the people, has once more demonstrated his philanthropic attitude in striving for this project to become a dream true. BTO, “The Bambili Hunter” as dubbed by the Fon has granted the sum of 300.000FCFA, an act applauded by his people. MP, Honourable Agho Oliver while steering the fundraising ceremony rallied friends, persons of goodwill as part of a move to boost the pending project. Adolphe Lele l’Afrique, North West region’s Governor, on his part boosted the projected with the humble sum of 100.000FCFA while the Senior Divisional officer for Mezam donated an envelope of 200.000FCFA, promising government support. Bambili’s royal basket carried the huge sum of 250.000FCFA granted by Fon Afungchui III. In a meantime, supportive actions came in from the spearhearder of this event, Eric Adangfung who contributed the sum of 500.0000FCFA, while Tubah’s Mayor, Tanjong Martin offered the sum 1million FCFA and pledged close to 46 Million FCFA on behalf of the Council. Other contributions registered during the fundraising event were from Minister Paul Atanga Nji of Territorial Administration, who supported the project with an envelope worth 600,000 FCFA, Minister Delegate Felix Mbayu in charge of cooperation with the commonwealth, who gave 100,000 FCFA, Mr and Mrs Tamajong who chipped in 100,000 FCFA, Mr Monju Johnson Vishi, 100,000FCFA, Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence of Bafut who donated 25.000 FCFA, Mr and Mrs Justice Malegho who donated 500,000 FCFA and Madam Jessica Newi Lengha, 100.000FCFA. The highly awaited Bambili water project as outlined by Elites will not only satisfy the needs of the natives, yet will play a key role in the supply of the precious liquid to the close to 30 thousand students of the university of Bamenda. Elise Kenimbeni

Minister of social affairs, Pauline Irène Nguene defended on December 2, 2021 the budgetary allocation of her ministerial department for the 2022 financial year. The Minister of social affairs, Pauline Irène Nguene appeared before members of the finance and budget committee of the national assembly on Thursday 2nd December 2021, in abid to defend the budget allocated to her ministerial department. A total amount of thirteen billion three hundred and four Million (13.304 000 000) FCFA was allocated to the ministry of social affairs. The budget broken into two parts includes the running budget worth 8.144.000.000 FCFA and the investment budget standing at 4.860.000.000FCFA. Pauline Irène Nguene within close to 30 minutes unveiled to the team of Honourable Rosette Ayayi Moutymbo the major aspects that make up the budget of her ministerial department for the 2022 financial exercise. As outlined in the presentation of social affairs’ patroness, Pauline Irène Nguene, the running budget has been apportioned accordingly to the three main programmes stated in the 2022-2024 medium term expenditure framework and which will be pursued in 2022 by her ministry. The ministry of social affairs will accentuate its activities on key issues like: social protection of the child; social protection of people living with disabilities; social protection of older persons; promotion of national solidarity; fight against social ills; assistance to socially maladjusted and other vulnerable persons and not putting aside the improvement of working conditions. In a bid to provide a better local support to socially vulnerable persons, new Technical Operational Units (Social Centres and Social Action Services) have been created and budgetary allocations made available to them. In addition, all the Technical Operational Units have seen their resources reinforced. And by the way, particular emphasis will be laid on care delivery to displaced persons in the North-West, South-West and Far-North Regions through field structures. Concerning the investment budget of the ministry, it will be centred on innovative and pending issues as: the continuation of the upgrading of the technical platform of the Cardinal Paul Emile LEGER National Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (CNRPH) of Yaounde; the construction of a Reception and Transit Centre for Socially Vulnerable Persons in Mfou(outskirts of Yaounde); the continuation of the implementation of the construction works of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with disabilities in Maroua; the continuation of the upgrading of the ICE of Maroua; the organisation and management of assistance to the needy through the devolution of powers to the regions and councils; the acquisition of equipment for the computerisation of the national disability card; the acquisition of computer equipment for the establishment of the Unified Social Register; the improvement of the working conditions through the continuation of works and the rehabilitation of social structures as well as the acquisition of computer hardware and equipment and the physical and legal demarcation of some plots of MINAS land. The draft budget for 2022 as underscored by the Minister of social affairs, reflects the entire social policy of the Head of state, President of the Republic, Paul Biya. Elise Kenimbeni

The call was made by Pauline Irène Nguene, Cameroon’s Minister of Social affairs during the 30th edition of the international day of people living with disabilities. “As we celebrate the 30th edition for the international day of people living with disabilities, we are calling on all the actors to deploy their efforts in order to remove all the barriers, to permit to people living with disabilities to fully live and enjoy their rights.  And by the way, to contribute in the construction of our country. We all know that, they have talents, they have competencies to put at the disposal of our country. We had such abundant activities during the past weeks, we showed how the government is really deploying all efforts for persons with disabilities. We had for instance, two draft bills that we presented to the parliament recently and during the whole week, we had activities related to the respect of rights of people living with disabilities. Today, it is a victory because we had an important ceremony. All these is just to show that the government is really willing for people living with disabilities to move forward, to be a full actor of development in our country, their state should be a concern for all…” Social affairs’ Minister, Pauline Irène Nguene said. She was speaking to media practitioners on Friday 3rd of December 2021 in Yaounde, Cameroon on the occasion of the international day of people living with disabilities. This year’s celebrations placed under the theme: “”leadership and participation of persons with disabilities within the context of covid-19 for an inclusive, accessible and sustainable world”   were an open call to highlight issues of inequalities, discrimination and marginalization to which are subjected these vulnerable group of people in the society. According to social affairs’ Minister, it is time more than ever to push forward advocacy calls for the well-being of disabled. Pauline Irène Nguene while chairing the ceremony that took place at Yaounde town hall esplanade has reiterated the need to create viable opportunities for persons with disabilities. Spokesperson of people living with disabilities, by the way president of students’ associations in Cameroon has praised the numerous efforts undertaken by the government to accommodate them. Evina Bella Angeline said in her speech that, there is an increase in the number of students with disabilities in state universities. Added to the exoneration set up by government since two years now. Evina Bella Angeline equally seized the occasion of this celebration to call on other public administration and private enterprises to take into account the disabled in their various recruitment processes. “All the ministries do not implicate us in their activities. When we talk of disability in Cameroon, all is directed to the ministry of social affairs whereas it is not the ministry of social affairs that makes roads, it is not the ministry of social affairs that constructs edifices. There is need for the implication of all ministries in order to enhance the situation of people living with disabilities. That is why, we militate for the creation of a special faculty that will gather disabled persons…” She narrated. The representative of the country Director of World Health Organization (WHO) at this commemoration read the message of the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guteres. The message states relevant issues concerning PLWD, as key actors in achieving the SDGs. “We need everyone, including persons with disabilities, on board to achieve the SustainableDevelopment Goals. Around the world, persons with disabilities and their representativeorganizations are taking action to realize the call: ‘Nothing about us, without us’. The ceremony chaired in a festive mood, later on paved the way to the donation of packages granted by the World Health Organization’s office in Cameroon. Elise Kenimbeni

Mounouna Foutsou Minister of youth affairs and civic education defended on Thursday 2nd of December 2021, the draft budget of his ministerial department. The patron of youth affairs and civic education in Cameroon, Mounouna Foutsou appeared before the finance and budget committee of the national assembly on Thursday 2nd December 2021. The Minister presented to the team of Rosette Ayayi Moutymbo, the various highlights that constitute his draft budget for the 2022 financial year. Mounouna Foutsou said for the 2022 exercise, his ministerial department has been attributed the sum of 23 billion 702 million Francs CFA. He outlined the fact that his budget has witnessed an increase thanks to activities linked to the Three Special Youth Plan (TYSP). The budget of the ministry of youth affairs and civic education for the 2022 financial year has been spread as follows: ppublic Investment Budget standing at 8 billion 350 million FCFA including: 1 billion 700 million in transferable resources; 1 billion Francs for the Three-Year “Special Youth” Plan; 1 billion Francs for the functioning of the National Civic Service Agency for Participation in Development (NCSAPD) and as concerns the operating Budget it stands at 15 billion 352 million FCFA, including 5 billion 220 million Francs for other goods and services.  While speaking before members of the finance and budget committee, the Minister Delegate incharge of relations with assemblies, Bolvine Wakata, the Secretary General of the national assembly, Gaston Komba and other officials of the ministry of finance, Minister Mounouna Foutsou said activities in 2022 will be based on four strategic programmes that have been reconfigured to match with the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy (NDS30). Minister Mounouna Foutsou said: “For the newly implemented programme 144, Civic education and Volunteering, we mainly intend to ensure: the continued intensification of the national campaign for civic education and national integration, as part of implementing the National Civic Education Programme through Moral, Civic and Entrepreneurial Rearmament (PRONEC-REAMORCE), in schools, universities, out-of-school and socio-professional settings; the dissemination of Law No. 2021/015 of 9 July 2021 to lay down the organisation and promotion of volunteering in Cameroon among the structures hosting public and private volunteers, civil society and especially decentralised communities, while building the voluntary commitment of young people and increasing the number of volunteer opportunities; the continuation of the operationalisation of the National Civic Service Agency for Participation in Development. To achieve these major outputs, the total budget requested for this programme is 6 billion 269 million 652 thousand FCFA including: 4 billion 709 million 200 thousand Francs for operations and 1 billion 560 million 452 thousand Francs for investment…” Other key activities in which the ministry of youth affairs and civic education intends to embark are plethora as underscored by the Minister. The Head of youth affairs in Cameroon stressed on the fact that, his ministry will carry-out numerous several socio-economic actions within the framework of its programme 145 and these include amongst others: the increase of the the social and economic integration of urban and rural youths, notably those in DDR centres and prison facilities, through appropriate support; the viability of the number of businesses created by young people supervised in various MINJEC structures and programmes; the substantial increase in the offer of local supervision structures for young people nationwide through the construction of about twenty new Multipurpose Youth Empowerment Centres (MYEC) and the accompaniment of diaspora youths through the Support Programme for the return and integration of Youths of the diaspora known as PARI-JEDI. The ministry of youth affairs will alongside the implementation of its various activities, will equally revamp some institutional bodies under its chairmanship, like the Cameroon national youth council and pursue its support to other partnering bodies. In 2021, the ministry of youth affairs and civic education led by energetic and devoted Minister, Mounouna Foutsou has implemented a good number of actions as observed by many on the field and has positioned itself amongst outstanding ministries with key results. Through the implementation for instance of the TYSP, MINJEC has registered close to 31,242 young people with the national youth observation digital platform, and the production of 35000 biometric youth cards as against the issuance of 42,125 receipts. Added to this palpable results are: the development of 73 Pioneer villages, 33 economic clusters with the financing of 1,129 youth projects supported jointly with other ministerial departments. Elise Kenimbeni

Les 40 lauréats de la 6e édition du programme « seeds for the future » du Huawei ICT Academy ont achevé leur formation de courte durée avec satisfaction. C’est une nouvelle cuvée nantie des connaissances et du savoir-faire, prête pour rivaliser dans le monde de la digitalisation. En effet, ce sont 40 étudiants camerounais triés récemment sur le volet et présentés officiellement comme ceux faisant partie de la 6e édition du prestigieux programme dénommé : « Seeds for the future » de la Huawei ICT Academy. Ces étudiants issus des écoles des TIC partenaires du programme initié par la firme chinoise, Huawei, se sont distingués parmi les 90 shortlistés au départ et le clou était leur participation à cette formation de qualité. La formation qui s’est achevée le 29 novembre 2021 a permis aux lauréats d’acquérir des rudiments nécessaires afin de se frotter également au marché de l’emploi. Durant huit jours très chargés, les étudiants ont suivi en mode virtuel, des cours de TICs sur des aspects tels que : la sécurité informatique, les réseaux informatique, l’intelligence artificielle et bien d’autres notions clés. L’une des enseignantes à ce programme, dont la qualification l’a propulsé, a tenu à indiquer que l’accompagnement dans cette initiative louable se fait avec des étudiants bien moulés. Lauraine Tiogning, enseignante certifiée de Huawei dit : « Nous enseignants chercheurs,  accompagnons Huawei dans cette initiative de formation des talents qualifiés, et ne pouvons qu’encourager cette collaboration avec les universités. » Le leader de cette 6 e promotion, Alice Tonzock indique que, ses camarades et elle vont faire valoir les connaissances acquises pour l’édification du Cameroun. Elle s’exprimait au cours de la cérémonie virtuelle en ces termes : « Notre ambition en tant que sixième bénéficiaires de ce programme, est d’utiliser ces différentes connaissances acquises pour participer activement à la mise en place du développement des TIC au Cameroun. Nous sommes déterminés à nous engager pleinement dans ce domaine très ouvert… » Selon la porte-parole des lauréats a tenu à souligner que : « ce programme sera l’une des principales voies par lesquelles passera le développement des TIC au Cameroun, lesquelles TIC nous paraissent très opportunes pour garantir l’émergence du Cameroun à l’horizon 2035. Merci aux autorités camerounaises d’avoir mis en place ce partenariat avec la société de télécommunications Huawei… » La Directrice des relations publiques de Huawei dans la zone CEMAC, Edmonde Djiokeng Teboh a pris part à cette cérémonie virtuelle et cette dernière comme il est de coutume a tenu à partager avec les 40 lauréats des paroles de sage afin de leur booster davantage dans les prochaines étapes. S’exprimant Edmonde Djiokeng Teboh a indiqué que : « Nous donnons la possibilité aux étudiants camerounais de partager, communier avec leurs paires d’ailleurs pour mieux apprendre. La Huawei ICT compétition par exemple, permet aux meilleurs de dévoiler leur savoir-faire dans une compétition à l’échelle mondiale. Et le Cameroun y fait également notre fierté, puisque l’année dernière, l’équipe de l’université de Douala a remporté le 3e prix au niveau mondial… » Elle a poursuit dans ses propos en disant que Huawei a également un projet d’accompagnement de ses étudiants pour l’emploi et l’auto-emploi. Elle a révélé que les étudiants que Huawei forme ont l’opportunité d’être recruté au sein de la firme chinoise, géant des télécommunications. Huawei ICT Academy est un programme déjà implanté dans huit(8) grandes écoles des TIC au Cameroun à savoir : l’École Nationale Supérieure Polytechnique de l’Université de Yaoundé 1, l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Postes et Télécommunications, des  Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication ( SUP’PTIC), l’Institut Universitaire de la Côte (IUC), l’Institut Africain d’Informatique (IAI), l’Institut Supérieur de Formation aux Métiers des Télécommunications, de l’Innovation Technologique, de Commerce et de Gestion ( IFTIC – SUP), la Catholic University Institute of Buea ( CUIB). Une collaboration qui ne cesse de faire le bonheur de plusieurs apprenants camerounais grâce à un partenariat fruit de l’Accord signé à Beijing entre le Président de la république du Cameroun et son homologue de la Chine. Elise Kenimbeni

Le programme dénommé «seeds for the future» de Huawei, géant des télécommunications est officiellement entré dans sa 6e édition au cours d’une cérémonie qui s’est tenue à Yaoundé, capitale camerounaise le 19 Novembre 2021. Ils sont au total 40 étudiants camerounais dont le destin s’annonce fleurissant, ceci grâce au géant des technologies de l’information et de la communication, qui a, à travers son fameux programme « seeds for the future » du Huawei ICT Academy dévoilé sa nouvelle cohorte de jeunes étudiants camerounais issus des prestigieuses écoles de TIC au pays. La firme chinoise Huawei via le programme « seeds for the future », ne cesse de faire des émules qui bénéficient durant leurs formations d’un transfert des connaissances et compétences de qualité dans le secteur des télécommunications. La cérémonie de cette 6e édition a été officiellement lancée le 1e 19 novembre 2021 à l’hôtel Djeuga palace de Yaoundé, en présence de plusieurs autorités, des représentants des ministres de tutelles, du ministre d’état, ministre de l’enseignement supérieur et du staff de Huawei. En sa qualité de représentant du ministre d’état, ministre de l’enseignement supérieur, le Professeur Wilfried Gabsa, Secrétaire Général dudit ministère a apprécié non seulement la qualité et les offres de formation de Huawei depuis son arrivée en terre camerounaise, mais aussi l’impact incommensurable dans le développement technologique du pays. Le Professeur Wilfried Gabsa a également encouragé les 40 lauréats qui se sont distingués à faire montre de leurs compétences digitales au Cameroun après avoir été moulés au sein du Huawei ICT Academy. Il faut dire qu’au départ ils étaient 90 sur les « starting blocs », mais compte tenu de la politique interne et des critères de Huawei, ils sont une fois de plus 40 jeunes brillants étudiants choisis pour cette 6e édition. Réactions clés Armand Claude Abanda, Représentant de l’institut Africaine d’informatique(IAI), a reconnu à son tour le rôle majeur que joue le programme « seeds for the future » dans la formation de ses apprenants. “L’admission de l’IAI Cameroun et l’IFTIC – SUP à ce programme nous fait beaucoup plaisir parce que nos étudiants vont pouvoir bénéficier d’une meilleure convenance des technologies de Huawei. Vous savez que Huawei fait partie des grands leaders dans le monde en matière de TIC. L’IAI étant par excellence l’établissement qui forme les informaticiens, il devrait absolument être présent partout où on parle technologies, et donc lorsque nos étudiants sont impliqués dans ce type de programme, cela permet que leurs compétences soient renforcées et diversifiées… Et vous savez que la Chine vient de signer une convention avec quelques universités africaines, dont l’IAI, pour offrir 75 bourses… Huawei représente donc aujourd’hui l’un des maillons forts de la technologie mondiale.” Dixit Armand Claude Abanda. Le Représentant du Ministre des transports à cette cérémonie, qui est le Directeur des systèmes d’information dans ce département ministériel, n’a pas tari d’éloges à son tour. Il dit : “Je voudrais déjà apprécier ici le partenariat entre le gouvernement camerounais et Huawei. Il y a beaucoup de projets sur lesquels nous travaillons avec Huawei dans le département des transports. Et le programme « seeds for the future », va continuer et permettre à beaucoup de jeunes camerounais d’avoir accès à des études de qualité. Le ministère des transports a déjà bénéficié depuis plusieurs années, des bourses d’études de la part de Huawei pour les responsables qui vont suivre des formations professionnelles en Chine.” Rappel en chiffres A titre de rappel, en mars 2021, le géant des télécoms, Huawei a renouvelé son accord de partenariat avec le gouvernement camerounais, en institutionnalisant les cours de Huawei ICT Academy dans les programmes académiques des établissements de l’enseignement supérieur partenaires. Les huit écoles spécialisées en TIC qui sont partenaires de Huawei sont : l’École Nationale Supérieure Polytechnique de l’Université de Yaoundé 1, l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Postes et Télécommunications, des  Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication ( SUP’PTIC), l’Institut Universitaire de la Côte (IUC), l’Institut Africain d’Informatique (IAI), l’Institut Supérieur de Formation aux Métiers des Télécommunications, de l’Innovation Technologique, de Commerce et de Gestion ( IFTIC – SUP), la Catholic University Institute of Buea ( CUIB). Et jusqu’ici, depuis 2008 c’est plus de 5570 étudiants issus de 126 pays et 500 universités dans le monde, qui ont pris part à ce programme bénéfique, « seeds for the future ». Bien que la pandémie à Coronavirus ai paralysé certaines activités, Huawei a fait preuve de son savoir technologique pour la dispensation des cours en ligne tout comme ces nombreux services dans le but de satisfaire bon nombre. Elise Kenimbeni