At contact tour: Manyu SDO salutes maturity of Mamfe elite, urges population to embrace peace.

He made the positive remarks in Mamfe Central Subdivision on Friday August 16. This was on the occasion of his maiden contact tour of the Subdivision.

Awounfack also called on the population to continue denouncing atrocities perpetrated by separatist fighters so that government will continue developing the Subdivision. 

The SDO also used the occasion to congratulate the elite of the Subdivision for unprecedented mobilisation under the steering committee led by Prof Etchu George, Technical Adviser at the presidency of the republic, Mayor Robertson Ashu and a cross section of external elite.

He noted that: "Mamfe is very strategic to Manyu Division and South West in general because of its geo strategic location, which is open to the giant of Africa Nigeria. With its rich natural resources and biodiversity, the Subdivision also prides itself as the cradle of education and the perfect reflection of bilingualism and living together which are the core values of the Head of State, President Paul Biya”.   

"…the people of Manyu have to thank God, thank the president for the confidence and give peace a chance so they can explore the benefits of the Bamenda-Enugu Corridor passing through their Mamfe central Subdivision,  the Kumba-Mamfe-Ekok road and the border Bridge in Mfum…," the SDO stated.

School resumption, security under scrutiny

Despite the enormous contributions of Mamfe and the efforts of the local administrative authority, the SDO said some secondary and primary schools across the Subdivision are still not fully functional. 

He said given that the Manyu man, especially the Mamfe Central elite are noted for their educational prowess they are supposed to work closely to see a successful resumption of classes across the 11 villages that make up Mamfe Central. 

The SDO urged the population to send their children back to school in the upcoming academic year and shame the separatist fighters “who have brought nothing than destruction”.

“The separatist fighters has nothing to offer because they live in an imaginary world so people should not fail prey again to their tactics, but rather give peace a chance,” he said. 

He also spoke on the issue of chieftaincy crises within the Subdivision that has witnessed delays in the enthronement of some traditional rulers. He promised to follow up closely with his close collaborators and Divisional Officers to ensure that the phenomenon is addressed. 

Condemns petition-writing 

Awounfack condemned petition-writing amongst the elite, while calling urging the population to work closely with administrative authorities to development Manyu division. He equally decried the rampant sale of community land by chiefs.

While pledging his total availability to the population, the SDO urged youths who are in the bushes with arms to drop them and join the disarmament centre

Mamfe Chiefs confer prestigious Sesseku title on SDO 

Meanwhile, the SDO was raised by the Chiefs of Mamfe Central to the rank of Iyamba of Manyu, meaning leader of Sesseku's in the prestigious Manyu Ekpe society. 

The SDO thanked the chiefs for the title and said he will be proud to sit amongst his peers now of the Ekpe society because of the honour given to him by the elite of Mamfe central. 

Elite Mamfe elite spokesperson, Senator Nfor Tabetando

Speaking earlier, the spokesperson of Mamfe Central elite, Senator Nfor Tabetando said Manyu Division has suffered from the sociopolitical crisis including the    burning of the Mamfe central hospital, killing of the Mayor of Mamfe killing of scores of people on November 6, 2023 in Egbekaw, among other incidents. 

He called on youth in the bushes to drop their weapons and follow the path of peace offered by President Paul Biya.

The elite, through their spokesperson, urge the SDO to look into abandoned projects, some of which have been fully funded but not executed, the illegal sale of land, illegal exploitation of timber and other forest products,.

The spokesperson also promised smooth collaboration with the administrative authorities for the growth of the municipality. He also called on parents to take the education of their children seriously and send them back to school.

“…if Manyu, especially Mamfe Central Subdivision is great today it is thanks to education. We must not lose that leadership role we have in the South West Region. I encourage all of us to send our children back to school,” he urged. 

Mamfe Mayor hails SDO

In his welcome address, the Mayor of Mamfe, Robertson Tabenchong Ashu, thanked the SDO for touring Mamfe in the third lap of his tour of Manyu Division. 

He said with a population of over 150,000 inhabitants spread in about 744 square metres Mamfe Central is made up of 11 villages divided in four clans.

The mayor continued that the municipality is blessed with natural resources like timber, cocoa palm etc. He said the Subdivision has a problem of electricity which is the major reason industries are not able to locate in Mamfe Central. 

He called on the SDO to look into the worries of the population on electricity and ensure the commodity is extended to Mamfe Central from Bamenda, pending the completion of the thermal plant. 

The mayor called on the population to register massively on the electoral register to better participate in future elections and also desist from illegal sale of the forest and community land, illegal exploitation of timber which pose a serious threat to the ecosystem. 

The visit ended up with a working session with the chiefs, elite and economic operators in the area. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3204 Tuesday August 20, 2024