Revelation made by Minister Haman Adama who went promoting bilingualism in the province.

After years of crying in the rain, the North West will soon welcome their own share of Japanese built schools with Bali sub division privileged to host the first. Basic Education Minister Madam Hamam Adama was cheered for the revelation over the weekend when she crisscrossed some divisions promoting the virtues of bilingualism. In effect the 6th National Bilingualism Day first took the Minister to Fundong, Boyo division where she encouraged youths to stand by the nations official languages as a source of strength, unity and pride.

After week long activities that sensitized the public on the need of being bilingual, celebrations proper in Fundong were characterized by sketchers, poems, songs and dance. Pupils and students demonstrated the importance of being bilingual. They showed their capacity in speaking French and English and encouraged others to do same.

Celebrated under the theme "Bilingualism a Key To Success And Progress", the 6th edition of the National Bilingualism Day came as a blessing to the education family of the North West province. The Minister of Basic Education was not only in Fundong to commemorate the day but also to handover gifts worth millions of CFA to the education family in the province. The gifts comprising 15 computers 100school bags and other didactic materials was to improve learning and teaching.

The Minister took time off to state government efforts to promote bilingualism in Cameroon with the creation of government bilingual nursery, primary, secondary and high schools in most part of the Country. The introduction of French as a main subject in the First School Leaving Certificate and the introduction of English as a main subject in the Francophone equivalent is another step forward she said. The Minister was a role model in bilingualism with her speech in both languages. Given that Boyo division is the most underscholarised in the North West, she encouraged parents to send their children to school especially the girl child. However after visiting some primary schools in Mezam and Boyo divisions, Minister Adama was impressed with the number of girls in primary schools.

It is however not all a bed of roses for the education family in the province .The Provincial Delegate for Basic Education Boma Christopher told the Minister about the lack of infrastructure. He complained that many primary schools are yet to have permanent structures. He added that the main hitch to the promotion of bilingualism is the lack of French teachers in some schools in the province. He thank the Minister for the gifts and promised to use them judiciously. The national day of bilingualism was instituted some six years ago to foster national unity, integration and to encourage citizens to stand by the country’s commitment to make the difference as a bilingual country.

Regina LIENGU ETAKA

Revelation made by Minister Haman Adama who went promoting bilingualism in the province.

After years of crying in the rain, the North West will soon welcome their own share of Japanese built schools with Bali sub division privileged to host the first. Basic Education Minister Madam Hamam Adama was cheered for the revelation over the weekend when she crisscrossed some divisions promoting the virtues of bilingualism. In effect the 6th National Bilingualism Day first took the Minister to Fundong, Boyo division where she encouraged youths to stand by the nations official languages as a source of strength, unity and pride.

After week long activities that sensitized the public on the need of being bilingual, celebrations proper in Fundong were characterized by sketchers, poems, songs and dance. Pupils and students demonstrated the importance of being bilingual. They showed their capacity in speaking French and English and encouraged others to do same.

Celebrated under the theme "Bilingualism a Key To Success And Progress", the 6th edition of the National Bilingualism Day came as a blessing to the education family of the North West province. The Minister of Basic Education was not only in Fundong to commemorate the day but also to handover gifts worth millions of CFA to the education family in the province. The gifts comprising 15 computers 100school bags and other didactic materials was to improve learning and teaching.

The Minister took time off to state government efforts to promote bilingualism in Cameroon with the creation of government bilingual nursery, primary, secondary and high schools in most part of the Country. The introduction of French as a main subject in the First School Leaving Certificate and the introduction of English as a main subject in the Francophone equivalent is another step forward she said. The Minister was a role model in bilingualism with her speech in both languages. Given that Boyo division is the most underscholarised in the North West, she encouraged parents to send their children to school especially the girl child. However after visiting some primary schools in Mezam and Boyo divisions, Minister Adama was impressed with the number of girls in primary schools.

It is however not all a bed of roses for the education family in the province .The Provincial Delegate for Basic Education Boma Christopher told the Minister about the lack of infrastructure. He complained that many primary schools are yet to have permanent structures. He added that the main hitch to the promotion of bilingualism is the lack of French teachers in some schools in the province. He thank the Minister for the gifts and promised to use them judiciously. The national day of bilingualism was instituted some six years ago to foster national unity, integration and to encourage citizens to stand by the country’s commitment to make the difference as a bilingual country.

Regina LIENGU ETAKA

Revelation made by Minister Haman Adama who went promoting bilingualism in the province.

After years of crying in the rain, the North West will soon welcome their own share of Japanese built schools with Bali sub division privileged to host the first. Basic Education Minister Madam Hamam Adama was cheered for the revelation over the weekend when she crisscrossed some divisions promoting the virtues of bilingualism. In effect the 6th National Bilingualism Day first took the Minister to Fundong, Boyo division where she encouraged youths to stand by the nations official languages as a source of strength, unity and pride.

After week long activities that sensitized the public on the need of being bilingual, celebrations proper in Fundong were characterized by sketchers, poems, songs and dance. Pupils and students demonstrated the importance of being bilingual. They showed their capacity in speaking French and English and encouraged others to do same.

Celebrated under the theme "Bilingualism a Key To Success And Progress", the 6th edition of the National Bilingualism Day came as a blessing to the education family of the North West province. The Minister of Basic Education was not only in Fundong to commemorate the day but also to handover gifts worth millions of CFA to the education family in the province. The gifts comprising 15 computers 100school bags and other didactic materials was to improve learning and teaching.

The Minister took time off to state government efforts to promote bilingualism in Cameroon with the creation of government bilingual nursery, primary, secondary and high schools in most part of the Country. The introduction of French as a main subject in the First School Leaving Certificate and the introduction of English as a main subject in the Francophone equivalent is another step forward she said. The Minister was a role model in bilingualism with her speech in both languages. Given that Boyo division is the most underscholarised in the North West, she encouraged parents to send their children to school especially the girl child. However after visiting some primary schools in Mezam and Boyo divisions, Minister Adama was impressed with the number of girls in primary schools.

It is however not all a bed of roses for the education family in the province .The Provincial Delegate for Basic Education Boma Christopher told the Minister about the lack of infrastructure. He complained that many primary schools are yet to have permanent structures. He added that the main hitch to the promotion of bilingualism is the lack of French teachers in some schools in the province. He thank the Minister for the gifts and promised to use them judiciously. The national day of bilingualism was instituted some six years ago to foster national unity, integration and to encourage citizens to stand by the country’s commitment to make the difference as a bilingual country.

Regina LIENGU ETAKA

On peut faire de bien surprenantes rencontres à Beverly Hills, pas seulement des stars américaines du cinéma ou de la musique, mais aussi une étoile confirmée de la chanson camerounaise

Marthe BASSOMO BIKOE –

Prince Ndedi Eyango, installé aux Etats-Unis depuis plusieurs années. Samedi dernier, une fine pluie s’abattait sur la ville de Los Angeles. Et non loin de là, sur la célèbre rue « Rodeo Dr », du quartier chic de Beverly Hills, à l’ouest de Los Angeles et en plein cœur des shoppings de luxe, l’artiste, venu faire la promotion de son dernier album. « Mentalité africaine » est sorti le 13 septembre dernier aux Etats-Unis, et Prince Eyango a accepté de répondre aux questions de CT. Sa première sortie aura lieu le 20 octobre prochain à Paris, au cours d’un concert dansant avec la participation exceptionnelle de Nkotti François. C’est pour Ndedi Eyango l’occasion de fêter ses 25 ans de carrière musicale (1982-2007). Un concert live dont la liste des invités spéciaux est déjà connue : Jacky Ndoumbe, Joe Mboulé, Dina Bell, etc. En attendant, redécouvrons le créateur du « Soul Botingo » au moment où il aborde un autre tournant de sa riche carrière.

Quel est le message que vous voulez faire passer à travers votre nouvel album “Mentalité africaine”?

Le message de prise de conscience. Il est temps que nous nous remettions en cause au lieu de condamner autrui, que ce soit le Blanc ou le voisin. Nous ne pouvons pas apporter ou réclamer le changement quand nous mêmes nous n’avons pas changé. Il faut que nous changions aussi dans les actes, chacun à son petit niveau peut contribuer à rendre ce monde meilleur.

Pensez-vous que le « kongossa » par exemple freine vraiment le développement des Africains ?

Le « kongossa », comme on l’appelle au pays, est justement l’un des facteurs freinant le développement en Afrique. Il y a également la jalousie, l’égoïsme, le manque d’intégrité, le non patriotisme. Il faut restaurer la confiance entre les uns et les autres, le respect des valeurs humaines, etc.

Que devenez-vous depuis votre départ du Cameroun ?

Je suis parti du Cameroun, mais je n’ai jamais quitté mon pays en esprit. Je ne suis pas venu au Cameroun depuis trois ans mais je suis très actif. Je voyage beaucoup. Je suis toujours en tournée ou en train de travailler dans mon studio. Je fais également des réalisations pour les autres, je produis et je fais distribuer les autres, sans oublier ma vie de famille. Je suis marié et père de quatre enfants – dont deux nés avant mon mariage. Je maîtrise la nouvelle technologie, j’ai une meilleure compréhension de la musique aujourd’hui. J’ai fait des tournées dans le monde entier et vécu des moments remarquables, participé à de grands festivals…

Avez-vous l’intention de revenir vivre au Cameroun?

Bien sûr. L’Amérique offre, je le reconnais, un environnement de progrès, qui permet de se façonner, se recycler, apprendre et être rigoureux vis-à-vis de soi-même. Et surtout travailler sans beaucoup de distraction. Mais je pense que si Dieu me le permet, je passerai ma retraite au Cameroun car j’aime beaucoup mon pays. Viendrez-vous présenter votre album au public camerounais ?

Mon album, le 11e, sort la semaine prochaine au Cameroun. Aujourd’hui, je suis représenté par Proximity, une entreprise professionnelle de communication et de marketing qui ne va pas seulement distribuer mon album mais aussi me manager désormais au Cameroun. Mes derniers contrats en Europe et aux Etats-Unis s’arrêtent au mois de novembre et après, je pense que ma maison de management me donnera le programme de mon voyage au pays pour la promotion de mon album. Cela dit, l’album est sorti aux Etats-Unis le 13 septembre. Je vais le présenter au public le 20 octobre prochain à Paris, où je donnerai une conférence de presse le 11 octobre prochain. Ce sera à l’occasion de mes 25 ans de musique que je fête le 20 octobre prochain à l’espace Chevreuil à Paris. Je vais également présenter mon album car les deux événements sont liés. Les Etats-Unis vont prendre le relais et après ce sera le Cameroun.

Qui se cache derrière votre réussite ?

Derrière ma réussite s’il faut l’appeler comme ça, se cache l’esprit du bon Dieu.

Un mot sur la piraterie ?

C’est un phénomène qui détruit l’artiste que je suis, et plus que ça, elle détruit toute une culture. L’effort pour la combattre doit venir de tout le monde : les artistes, les producteurs, les journalistes, les consommateurs et le gouvernement. En ce qui me concerne, je ne me laisse plus affecter moralement par ce poison et je continue à rester productif, créatif et optimiste.

Et la gestion des droits d’auteur?

Sans vouloir offenser les uns et les autres, on ne peut pas vraiment parler du droit d’auteur dans un environnement où la piraterie est notoire. Le droit, si je comprends bien, c’est ce qui devrait protéger l’auteur. Alors, si le droit est bafoué, l’auteur est inexistant. Pour moi, l’accent devrait être plus mis sur l’assainissement du terrain avant de parler du droit d’auteur. Pour qu’on ne construise pas une maison sans fondation. La gestion du droit d’auteur s’enfonce davantage. Vous avez des gens qui veulent soit se remplir les poches, soit régler des comptes. Nous allons de mal en pis. La Sacem a existé au Cameroun et ça marchait très bien. Après on se retrouve avec la Socadra (échec). On crée la Socinada par la suite (échec). Aujourd’hui c’est la CMC (pire encore). Tout est mélangé et nous avons un véritable problème de leadership. Je reste positif et certain qu’un jour, les choses iront pour le mieux.