Douala: A large number of folks continue to receive health, accommodation, dietary and fiscal help from Winner’s Chapel International.  Over a few weeks a large number of the people in Douala have received free health consultation, treatment and hospitalization whenever deemed necessary. This gesture is the result of an alliance between the Winner’s Chapel International, a Pentecostal church, and a neighborhood hospital. More than eighty five percent of patients that have benefited the medical aid happen to be non-Christians; about five per cent are Christians of other churches while Winners make up the rest. Pastor Triumphant Obamoh of the Winner’s Chapel International in Douala made the disclosure while speaking at a news conference at the Bali neighborhood on Saturday on the necessity of helping the less fortunate in society.

The pastor announced that the scheme, whose purpose is to help society develop to its full potential, is now opened to people with disabilities, widows and orphans. The spiritual event will mark the beginning of lasting collaboration with traditional chiefs, quarter heads, and hospitals through which the church will identify and carter to vulnerable people who happen to be at risk. what’s more is that other than nutrition and medication, the target group of people will be catered for in the area of lodging and education.

Already several millions have been spent according to the Cameroon news media. The church is also coming up with a proposal to take care of hospital bills of all persons injured in the course of accidents.. It should be noted that Winners Chapel International established in Cameroon in 1996 and within the past few years it has been involved in helping its communities.

The recent discovery of previously untapped diamond mines in Eastern Cameroon has had the Cameroon news media in a virtual frenzy, but that’s not all. The local residents, whose standard of living so far has been abysmally low, suddenly have hopes that the diamond mines would bring investment and development to the region. The village of Mparo, for instance, close to the newly found Mobilong diamond mines, and  merely 700 km from capital city Yaounde, has no electricity so far even though unsightly electricity lines are strewn all over the place. Now, the diamond mines are the villagers’ reason for optimism that the government would finally flip the switch.

Cameroon roped in South Korean C&K Mining for the diamond mines project, the company receiving a 25-year exploitation permit. The mining is slated to begin later this year.

The hopes are not entirely based on wishful thinking. As things stand, the six villages in the vicinity of the diamond mines — including Mparo — stand to gain their entitled share of the ‘spoils’, which comes to a ten per cent share of an announced eight per cent tax on all proceeds from the diamond mines.

Mboy, the village closest to the site of the Mobilong diamond mines

Among the advancements desperately needed by the residents here are schools, hospitals, roads, power and running water. Most homes in the region are mud and straw constructions and look rather precarious. Residents are seen wanting for the most basic of amenities which so many even in the second world would take for granted.  Sources from a local aid group based in Yokadouma, the main town that is closest to the diamond mines, have presented a damning picture indeed: oil lamps are the only illumination available, there are no asphalt roads, and schools have been opened but do not have any classrooms, benches, or teaching staff. The villagers subsist on unorganized agriculture, hunting, fishing and foraging.

The villagers of Mang have hopes of their own. Slightly better off than their regional counterparts, the residents are nevertheless waiting for mining operations to begin, as they believe that that may revive a technical college that couldn’t open last year.

Back to Mparo, the very fact that the Koreans are involved has been taken as a good omen by those clamoring for electricity, given the Korean’s track record with solar energy.

The project itself, however, has hit a roadblock due to ongoing investigations by Korean authorities into an alleged nexus between senior Korean officials and C&K Mining. Also being called into question is the actual size of the diamond mines. Early estimates by C&K had been of a whopping 420 million carats; for reference, that is roughly 2.5 times the global output in 2007. However, that figure is now being called into question by activists who’re demanding immediate suspension of mining activities by C&K and a probe in the issuance of the mining permit. Anonymous sources within the company, however, are vouching as to the accuracy of the original estimates. The same sources further revealed that since beginning of exploration in 2006, the project has cost C&K Mining in the neighbourhood of $10 million.

Controversies apart, those living in the geographical proximity of the diamond mines have their hopes alive for now, expecting a rerun of an earlier experience in the region with foresting revenue. Between 2000 and 2009, the Yokadouma district was paid approximately 13 million euros in forest licensing fees.

However, there’s little sign that that money was spent on any development activity in the region. What remains to be seen is if the hopes sparked by the diamond mines would actually come true. Stay tuned for more Cameroon news.

The national football team of the Republic of Cameroon has gone on strike and has refused to travel for a friendly match against Algeria, saying they haven’t been paid the bonuses that have been promised to them by their national federation.

The Indomitable Lions said that they would not travel from Morocco to Algiers for The  match in the LG Cup Africa tournament due to the fact that their federation had not satisfied “the minimum requirements with respect to the players”.

The Algeria Football Federation is obviously distressed at the circumstances that led to the Cameroon player’s refusal to travel from Morocco to Algiers.

Denis Lavagne’s side had defeated the Lions of the Atlas on penalties to advance in the LG Cup Africa tournament over the weekend, and was due in Algeria for their Tuesday night match.

The story coming out of the camp according to the Cameroon news media is that the players have not been paid appearance money that was promised to them by their national federation.

The Algerian football federation was obviously forced to call off the match but not before defining the situation as “unacceptable and anti-sporting.”

Cameroon News – Presidency Looks into Strike

The presidency in Cameroon is all set to launch its own investigation into the pay dispute led to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon having to cancel a friendly football match against Algeria.

Samuel Eto’o and Eyong Enoh had been due to appear before a Cameroon football federation disciplinary committee about a week ago to answer for their parts in the issue.

But plans to send a four-man delegation, together with former national team goalkeeper Joseph Antoine Bell, to Algeria to make an apology to the country’s football authorities and sports ministry have fallen through due to visa issues.

In what could amount to a splendid development for the Republic of Cameroon economy, crude oil and natural gas exploration company Bowleven (BLVN) has revealed a new breakthrough at its Sapele-3 off-shore discovery well on Thurday.

With a total depth of 4,480 meters, an additional eight meters of net hydrocarbon pay has been discovered in the deeper reservoirs, over and above the earlier discovery of 11 meters of net pay within the Deep Omicron interval.

The AIM-listed company said, in a recently released statement, that the reservoir package discovered in Paleocene Epsilon Complex in Cameroon is a basal sand reservoir unit and is identical to the original Sapele-1 well in terms of the gross stratigraphic interval.

For the time being, entry to the discovery well has been temporarily stopped, as there is a promise for future re-entry, testing and the potential of a development well, which bodes well for Cameroon.

This discovery of substantial hydrocarbon intervals at multiple levels makes the Sapele-3 discovery well the fourth consecutive successful exploration project in the Douala Basin.

Bowleven Chief Executive Kevin Hart, addressing investors and representatives from various Cameroon news journals, said that the discoveries “have at each level extended considerably the previously defined play fairway boundaries.”

He also expressed optimism that the wealth of geological and other technical data obtained during the extended drilling operations would make a significant contribution to future prospecting endeavors in Cameroon by reducing the unknown factor and hence the element of risk in new appraisal locations. He also said the data would act as a guideline of sorts for development and exploitation planning in the future.

Bowleven, in its schedule, has chalked out a 2012 work programme for prospecting that would see them taking up to three more appraisal wells and one exploration well on the Etinde permit.

If the exploration leads to further discovery of crude or natural gas deposits, it could well spell a great deal of liquidity for the economy of Cameroon.

According to the Cameroon news media; PUMA announced that fashion designer and daughter of Jamaican reggae icon Bob Marley, Cedella Marley, will design the Jamaican Track and Field team’s Olympic, podium and ceremony outfits for the London Olympics in 2012.

The Cameroon – PUMA Association

The link between the Football Federation and Puma was initially formed in 1996. Over the following years, PUMA developed a football kit with sleeveless shirts. This latest football innovation raised money for biodiversity causes in Africa in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Program, These kits were used by the football team as a third kit at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with Ghana, Ivory Coast and Algeria.

Other than the national football team sponsorship, PUMA also sponsors individual players including captain and record goal scorer striker and captain of the indomitable lions, Samuel Eto’o, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Stephane Mbia, Landry Nguemo and Mohammadou Idrissou.

According to the Cameroon news media; Iya Mohammed, President of the Football Federation said that PUMA is a key partner. He also went on to say that “PUMA understands implicitly what we want to achieve, and it is a privilege to work with a company with the same values and ambition. We look forward to working with them for many years to follow.”

Cameroon News – PUMA’s Commitment to Africa

Puma’s commitment to Africa extends beyond team and player partnerships. PUMA will carry on to supporting grass roots initiatives across the continent. Coinciding with this announcement, 10,000 durable footballs were delivered to Africa following a joint pledge in collaboration with Intersport earlier this year, a third of which will go to football projects in Cameroon.

In the latest Cameroon news, the world’s highest paid footballer, Samuel Eto’o, was unable to play against the Nzalang Nacional (Equatorial Guinea) during the friendly on Tuesday October 11 in Malabo due to injury.

International football player, Samuel Eto’o has been sidelined for the Guinea Equatorial v Cameroon friendly scheduled for Tuesday October 11 in Malabo, following an injury he picked up during the Indomitable Lions’ final African Cup of Nations qualifier against DR Congo in Kinshasa on Friday.

The-Indomitable-Lions, who failed to reach the finals of the 2012 Afcon, now look ahead to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which begin in eight months and the 2013 Afcon, but it is still unclear whether coach Javier Clemente will stay on in his position. The Football Federation has denied speaking with the former French coach Raymond Domenech as a potential replacement for the Spaniard.

Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik commits to Cameroon

In more football news, Rennes defender Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik has pledged his international allegiance to Cameroon.

The 22 year old football player, who was born in France, turned down a call-up to the French squad, Les Bleus’ U-21 side, last year as he sought after to qualifying for the country where both his parents were born. He said that he has chosen Cameroon and there will be no going back and that he has given his word to the Cameroonian Federation.

He stated that Laurent Blanc would not change the squad who qualified for UEFA EURO 2012. He continued saying that “in Cameroon there is a real desire to see me play in the green shirt, a desire I have never felt in France”.

About the the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon

The national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables or the Indomitable Lions, is run by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa’s most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times, which happens to be more than any other African nation. The Cameroon football team was the first football team from Africa to reach the quarter-final of a World Cup tournament. The 1990 World Cup is remembered most of all for the emergence of African football and for the Indomitable Lions who stole the hearts of football fans around the globe with their enigmatic and artistic approach to football. Samuel Eto’o is the current captain of The Cameroon football team.

On September 12^th 2011, Sustainable Waste Management- Cameroon & PIA energy JVC has signed an agreement for developing about 100MW of energy from household and industrial waste collected in Cameroon, according to the Cameroon News media.

The board Chairman of PIA energy JVC, Jaime Palacios and Energy & Resource Minister, Michael Ngako Tomdio along with Adolfo Costa Sanchez, the Director General of PIA Cameroon signed an agreement on Monday, 12 Sept 2011 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The Director General of PIA Cameroon, Adolfo Costa Sanchez said while addressing a press conference that “the project in its first stage will target Yaoundé and Douala, the main cities of Cameroon. The main aim of the project is to produce 100MW of energy from the combustion of waste which will be collected from household and industries. The combustion of the wastes will be carried out at a high temperature of about 4,000 degrees using state-of-the-art technology”.

Cameroon’s National Hygiene and Sanitation Company (HYSACAM) will be working with the Spanish investor for collecting the household wastes & industrial wastes, Mr. Sanchez said.

He also added further that, this project will help in shaping a right and healthy future for the people of Cameroon and also cameroon tourism as it will help in the cleanliness of the cities. Also this project will support the employment of large no of people as it will create around 300 direct jobs and 1500 indirect jobs.

The project cost is estimated to be approximately FCFA 245 billion which will be financed by PIA ENERGY JVC and HYSACAM.  “The project falls in line with our policy to diversify sources of energy supply,” Energy and Water Minister Ngako Tomdio said.

He also mentioned that if the pilot testing of the project goes well then the foundation stone of the project will be laid down within 18 months.

The Spanish investor PIA Energy JVC group was created in the year of 1978 and has its presence in all continents except Australia. This investment group has been mainly working in the field like Sustainable Waste Management and renewable energy, public works, construction, petroleum exploitation and civil engineering.

Cameroon, well known for its tourism, is officially known as the Republic of Cameroon is a country situated in west Central Africa. When it comes to traveling, it is a complete package for all types of travelers as you will find beaches, deserts, mountains, rain-forests, and savannas in this country. Cameroon really has just about everything a traveler could want. In fact you will find Cameroon to be one of the most culturally diverse countries in the whole African continent as it includes ancient tribal kingdoms, Muslim pastorals and forest-dwelling pygmies.

Cultivating Tourism in Cameroon

The Cameroon news media has been trying to cultivate its tourism and eco-tourism industry by encouraging investment by airlines, hotels, and travel agencies. Over the last few years many hotels, restaurants and guest houses have sprouted, that offer good accommodation and facilities to tourists. The internal transport system however, leaves a lot to be desired and has an adverse effect on the tourism industry. The Cameroon government has been known to describe Cameroon as a kind of a “Miniature Africa” to promote its climate, culture and geography.

Cameroons is blessed with many tourist attractions and each of these places is worth seeing. The list of tourist attractions in Cameroon is endless but the foremost ones that attract the most tourists are Waza National Park, Mandara Mountains, Kribi Beach and Mount Cameroon.

Waza National Park in Cameroon is arguably the most famous park which attracts large numbers of safari-goers and big game hunters every year. The 170000 hectare park is situated in the north of Cameroon and is a home to many iconic animals likes elephant, antelope, lions, hyenas and various unique species of birds. The park remains opens for tourists from the 15th of November to the 15th of June annually.

Stretching about 120 miles on the northern side of Nigeria- Cameroon border is a volcanic range of mountains called Mandara Mountains, famous for its panoramic view of terraced hillsides. It is a good base for excursions into the surrounding areas like Kapsiki and Rumsiki. The Mandara Mountains consist of wide green valleys and hillside villages and is an ideal location for an adventurous trekker.

Cameroon Tourism – Beaches

Kribi, a popular beach resort town in Cameroon is one of the chief attractions that has put Cameroon tourism on the Africa’s tourist map. Its beaches of white sand dotted with coconut palms draw the attention of tourists visiting Cameroon all through the year. Kribi is also a popular weekend seminar for well-to-do Cameroonians and expats. Eight kilometers south of Kribi are an impressive set of waterfalls called The Chutes de la Lobé.

Cameroon tours can never be complete without a visit to Mount Cameroon. Mount Cameroon known to the locals as Faka or Chariot of the Gods happen to be a 13428-foot-high stratovolcano.

The diverse variety of flora, fauna and terrains you’ll find in Cameroon, and the fact that you can explore these without being mobbed by thousands of other tourists, would make for an excellent holiday; the Cameroonian tourism industry promises no less.

The Messis and the Ronaldos of the football world can eat their hearts out; according to reports in the Cameroon news media, as also sports journals the world over, Cameroonian international Samuel Eto’o has signed a deal with Russian soccer club Anzhi Makhachkala that will propel him to the top of the list of the world’s highest paid footballers.

A recent statement on the club’s website states that an agreement has been reached between Anzhi and Inter Milan — the club that Eto’o currently plays for — and that the terms have been worked over to amply suit all involved parties.

The superlative striker has been formally awarded a three-year contract after he successfully cleared a routine medical checkup.
Reports state that Eto’o stands to earn a net amount of €20 million (US $29 million) net per season, eclipsing the estimated €12 million that Real Madrid pays to Cristiano Ronaldo and pushing Lionel Messi’s €10.5 million annual purse at Barcelona to third place.

As Inter Milan’s contract with Eto’o hasn’t expired yet, Anzhi would also have to pay a transfer fees of nearly €27 million, a sum fixed after negotiations that lasted nearly a week.

Anzhi state that Eto’o will join the clun ASAP to prepare for the match against rival club FC Rostov.

The club is owned by billionaire oil magnate Suleiman Kerimov and is located in the southern Russian province of Dagestan.
For Eto’o, this opportunity means more than mere riches; after having been a part of a Champion League side on three occasions — twice at Barcelona and once at Inter — he’s getting a chance to build a possible success story in the cash-rich but still fledgling Russian League.

At 30, it seems that Eto’o is yet to reach his peak. He led the scoring tables for Inter by scoring 37 goals in all competitions last season, having eclipsed Milito as the club’s most prolific goal artist. He played a key role in Inter’s victorious Champions League in 2010, often putting team before self by accepting an attacking midfield or defensive role for erstwhile coach Jose Mourinho.

His stint at Inter, beginning in 2009, followed what had been a career-defining five year stint at Barcelona, which saw him being a part of the Champions League winning side on two occasions. Not only that, he scored in the final games on both instances, against Arsenal and Manchester United.

Anzhi boasts of another living legend in its ranks: its captain is 38-year-old former Brazilian team left-back Roberto Carlos, he of the phenomenal banana kick and rock solid defence.

That the Russian club could afford to spend on a heavy hitter like Eto’o should come as no surprise, as Forbes magazine’s latest list on the world’s wealthiest people places club owner Kerimov at the 118th position, tying with Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi.

A club spokesman commented, “He’s a good player so of course he costs good money. Of course it’s a very good deal for our club. Samuel is very well known all over the world.”

After achieving several milestones in a distinguished club-football career, Samuel Eto’o has once again given Cameroon football and his countrymen a lot to be proud about.
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In the latest Cameroon news, Cameroonian mobile operator MTN has been ordered by the government of Cameroon to suspend an SMS service that has been confirmed a potent tool for protest movements in North Africa.

MTN Cameroon has granted a barely noticed service of big potentials since November 2010. MTN a major mobile phone service provider was the first in the country to provide admission to Twitter messages by SMS on the cellular network.

Cameroon News – Twitter Confirms Ban

A while ago nonetheless, Twitter headquarters in San Francisco verified that this service now had been brought to a halt. “Twitter SMS on MTN Cameroon has been suspended by the Cameroonian government,” the social media confirmed. MTN also set out a message to its users, mentioning that the SMS service to twitter has been suspended. The MTN and other authorities did not give any further clarifications.

One would wonder why the establishment would bother to suspend this outwardly inconsequential commercial service, which had yet to get a wider popularity in Cameroon. The country’s online society has no doubt about why, maintaining that Twitter via SMS is a powerful weapon.

Prior to the ban being imposed very few Cameroonians were even aware that Twitter was accessible in Cameroon via SMS, and the majority of those who were knowledgeable of the fact did not even grasp its prospects as a tool for political or anti-political activism,”

Cameroon News – Attempted Mass Protests

However, on the 23^rd of Feb, there had indeed been an attempt to initiate North Africa motivated mass protests in Cameroon. Exiled Cameroonians particularly had been active in social media such as Twitter and Facebook, trying to egg on the widely disgruntled masses inside the nation to take to the streets.

A reputed blog in the Republic of Cameroon says “Every Cameroonian that owns a mobile phone – Which happens to be about six million people- know what an SMS or a text message is, and has texted at least once before. Increasingly smartphones are making their way into Cameroon, and practically every phone in the market has a camera. The combination of standard SMS and smartphones is where the potential ‘threat’ to national security really lies,”