At AGM in Santa Subdivision: Baba II indigenes raise over 17 million FCFA for community dev’t projects.

It held on Saturday, April 4, at the Baba II community hall. 

The traditional ruler of Baba II, RHM Achiri Arrengu II, presided the gathering which had in attendance sons and daughters of the village from across the country and the diaspora.

Also present at the event which was marked by a rich cultural and culinary display was a visiting traditional authority from the South West Region, Chief Ekema George Ewusi, alongside other guest and friends of the community. 

Enter BASCUDA President

Addressing his Baba II kith and kin, BASCUDA President, Eng. Thomas Njue Ndi, detailed that the meeting was a platform for collective for the development of the village.  

The current fundraising drive targeting 75 million, he said, is aimed at accelerating implementation of new initiatives and scaling up ongoing works.

He appealed for unity and participation of all, insisting that the development of Baba II is the collective responsibility of all. 

“We gather not just as children, but as architects of our common destiny,” he said, emphasising that the association’s current roadmap is anchored on a four-year development plan built from field data and validated during a virtual consultative session held in November 2025.

He used the opportunity to urge sons and daughters to embrace collective ownership of development initiatives, particularly in the maintenance of infrastructure. 

Unveils envisaged projects, achievements 

Njue Ndi said the development blueprint outlines a wide range of interventions targeting infrastructure, social services, and economic empowerment. 

He cited the completion of the community hall, construction of new residential quarters and renovation of the palace, expansion of potable water supply, rehabilitation of internal roads, development of farm-to-market roads, construction of a health centre, establishment of a market, investment in education, deployment of solar energy, and resolution of land boundary issues, among key projects envisaged. 

He also used the AGM to present the progress reports and strides recorded so far. Njue Ndi revealed that works on farm-to-market roads have exceeded initial projections, with 7.5 kilometres executed against a planned six kilometres, representing 125 percent completion. 

The road works, which he said have reached 10 percent completion, with 1.5 kilometres completed out of an estimated 15 kilometres, are expected to improve access to fertile agricultural lands and stimulate local economic activity.

Njue Ndi said feasibility studies to extend potable water have been completed to secure potential funding from the Santa Council.

He said BASCUDA has also made strides in rural electrification through the installation of 10 solar-powered streetlights on existing ENEO poles.

This, he said, has improved security and night-time economic activities. Rehabilitation works on the community hall, he also disclosed, have addressed structural concerns, including roof leakages and ceiling damage.

He said the issue of land boundary demarcation has fully been documented, with the commission identifying areas previously occupied by neighbouring communities of Alateneng and Mbei. 

Njue Ndi said improving accessibility to the zones will encourage indigenes to occupy them for agricultural purposes. 

Beyond infrastructure, the BASCUDA president reported a 100 percent completion in administrative and governance documentation, including a financial management manual, cash voucher system, registers, and a four-year action plan. 

The tools, he boasted, will strengthen transparency and accountability in project execution. Njue Ndi also said initial development efforts were partly financed through leftover funds from a previous school project.

Speaking further on earmarked projects, he mentioned plans to acquire a 3-in-1 multipurpose tractor to facilitate farming and road maintenance.

He also revealed that plans are under to renovate the palace, with architectural designs already completed, pending validation by traditional authorities.

Appeals for more to meet target 

Njue Ndi thanked elite for the massive mobilisation to raise 17.5 million FCFA while urging all sons and daughters of the village to put hands together in order to meet the set target.

BASCUDA boss said reviving the economy of the village remains a priority on the development agenda, with plans to support local farmers, artisans, and small-scale entrepreneurs. 

The strategy, he explained, seeks to retain wealth within the village and create a cycle of reinvestment in community projects.

The president stressed that periodic manual upkeep of roads by residents will be essential to sustaining gains made.

Environmental sanitation also featured among priorities discussed. He said sanitary committee will be strengthened to coordinate regular clean-up campaigns and oversee compliance with hygiene standards, including waste management and sanitation facilities.

Baba II in brief

Baba II is one of the 13 villages that make up the Santa Subdivision, Mezam Division. Baba II, it should be said, originated from Widikum in the Momo Division of the North West Region. 

The Baba II Fondom speaks the Nghame Mueba language. The village shares boundary with several villages both in and out of the Santa Subdivision. 

It is bordered in the North by Piyin, to the East by Alatening and Mbu, to the West by Baforchu all in the Santa Subdivision and the South by Bali and Chomba also in the Mezam Division. 

Agriculture, backbone of population’s wellbeing 

Baba II prides self of fertile land for the cultivation of crops like Irish potatoes, beans, corn, cocoyam, green vegetable, cassava, plantain, banana and many others. They produce for both commercial and personal consumption purposes.

A typical Baba II man and woman relies on farm produce to cater for the family. Indigenes are industrious in the construction of houses. 

Development oriented people

The village has also had its fair share of the ongoing conflict in the North West and South West Regions. 

However, under the enlightened leadership of its traditional ruler, Fon Achiri Arrengu II, sons and daughters have been advised to shun violence, embrace and respect State institutions. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3755 of Thursday April 09, 2026