TheNewsGuru

Tag: Cameroon

  • Foreign affairs ministry announces death of Nigeria Consul-General in Cameroon

    Foreign affairs ministry announces death of Nigeria Consul-General in Cameroon

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday announced the passing of Amb. Taofik Coker, Consul-General of Nigeria in Buea, Republic of Cameroon.

    The ministry in a statement by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Coker died on Aug. 16 after a brief illness.

    The Ministry described his passing as unfortunate.

    “Amb. Coker was a hardworking and dedicated career diplomat who served Nigeria with distinction, commitment, and professionalism in different capacities.

    “His untimely death, therefore, is a great loss to the diplomatic community and the nation at large,” he said.

    Ebienfa saild that Coker had, prior to his appointment and assumption of duty as Consul-General of Nigeria, in Buea, served Nigeria meritoriously at its missions in Conakry, Guinea, and Shanghai.

    He condoled with Coker’s immediate family, colleagues and friends and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.

  • Sit-tight President Biya wants 8th term in office @92 years

    Sit-tight President Biya wants 8th term in office @92 years

    Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has said that he would be seeking an eighth term in office in October’s elections in a bid to extend his nearly 43 years in power.

    Biya, 92, posted the announcement on X in French and English.

    “I am a candidate for the 12 October 2025 presidential election. Rest assured that my determination to serve you is commensurate with the serious challenges facing us,” he wrote.

    “Together, there are no challenges we cannot meet. The best is still to come.”

    Biya was already the de facto candidate of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), of which he is party leader.

    But given his age, the president’s health and his capacity to govern have become the subject of debate.

    Several longstanding supporters have appeared to distance themselves from him in recent months, and there have been two high-profile defections from Biya’s camp in recent weeks.

    Employment minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary resigned from government in June to stand in the election for his Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC).

    And former prime minister Bello Bouba Maigari, an ally of Biya’s for nearly 30 years, said he was standing for National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP).

    Both Tchiroma’s and Maigari’s parties were longstanding allies of Biya’s CPDM, which has held power since independence in 1960.

    Also in the running are Maurice Kamto, who came second in the 2018 presidential election and is Biya’s fiercest critic, and prominent opposition figure Cabral Libii from the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation (CPNR).

    Candidates have until July 21 to declare that they intend to run for office.

    But the opposition is deeply divided and is struggling to unite behind a single candidate, even though public opinion is critical of the government.

    Cameroonians frequently complain about rampant youth unemployment, rising prices and poor public services.

    In addition, violence occasionally erupts from separatists, especially in English-speaking regions of the mostly francophone country.

  • BREAKING: Whereabouts of Paul Biya revealed

    BREAKING: Whereabouts of Paul Biya revealed

    Cameroon’s Minister of Communication, Mr Rene Sadi has finally disclosed the whereabouts of the nation’s Head of State, President Paul Biya, following days of speculations on the president’s state of health.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Sadi made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday, saying the Cameroonian Head of State decided to have a brief private stay in Europe following an engagement in China.

    Sadi in the statement released in French and translated into English using Google Translate, further disclosed that Biya will return to Cameroon in the next few days. He, however, did not reveal the country in Europe where Biya is having the brief private stay. Meanwhile, several reports suggest Biya is either receiving treatment in France or recovering in Switzerland.

    The statement reads: “For several days, rumors of all kinds have been circulating through conventional media and social networks, on the state of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA.

    “Television channels looking for a certain recognition within of public opinion, echo it with peremptory announcements, accompanied by comments all as tendentious as each other, but without any connection with the reality of the facts.

    “The Government of the Republic states unequivocally that these rumors belong to the fantasy and pure imagination of their authors and intends here to provide a formal denial.

    “The Government wishes to make it known that following the China-Africa in which he took an active part, the Head of State agreed a brief private stay in Europe.

    “However, he remains, as usual, and wherever he is, attentive to the evolution of national life.

    “Consequently, the Government of the Republic invites both Cameroonians as our partners and friendly countries, not to let ourselves distracted by maneuvers of disinformation, instrumentalization and of destabilization orchestrated by small groups and individuals pernicious, for ulterior purposes.

    “Moreover, the Head of State is doing well and will return to Cameroon in the next few days.

    TNG reports rumours of Biya’s death had flooded the Internet. The Cameroonian Head of State, who is currently 91 years, has been in power since 1982. He was born on 13 February 1933.

    Biya is Cameroon’s second Head of State. He came to power on 6 November 1982, following the resignation of President Ahmadou Ahidjo on 4 November.

    He is the second-longest-ruling president in Africa, the longest consecutively serving current non-royal national leader in the world and the oldest head of state in the world.

  • BREAKING: Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya in good health – Govt

    BREAKING: Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya in good health – Govt

    Africa’s longest serving president, Paul Biya, reported to have died, is still in good health, the Cameroonian government has said. Reports of Biya’s death had flooded the Internet on Tuesday.

    Reports had it that the Cameroonian President passed away at a military hospital in Paris, France. Public anxiety reached a fever pitch in the absence of official information, with reports suggesting Biya had either been recovering in Switzerland or receiving treatment in France.

    On social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), users voiced differing opinions about the reports. Some expressed relief, believing Biya’s death marks an end to his authoritarian grip on power. Others suggested that France may intervene in Cameroon’s political future, potentially pushing for Biya’s eldest son, Franck Emmanuel Biya, to take his place.

    However, the Cameroonian government has come out to say, in a statement, that Biya, who is currently 91-year-old, is in good health, while calling the widespread reports as “pure fantasy”.

    “Rumours of all kinds have been circulating through the conventional media and social networks about the president’s condition. The Government unequivocally states that these rumours are pure fantasy,” the statement by the government spokesperson, Rene Sadi reads.

  • FIFA hammer Cameroon football federation chairman, Etoo for 6 months

    FIFA hammer Cameroon football federation chairman, Etoo for 6 months

    FIFA has hammered Cameroon football federation president Samuel Eto’o for six months on Monday over his conduct at a Women’s Under-20 World Cup match.

    The former Barcelona star was deemed guilty of breaching FIFA’s rules relating to “offensive behaviour, violation of the principles of fair-play and misconduct of players and officials”.

    The charges relate to Cameroon’s last-16 game against Brazil, which the South Americans won 3-1 after extra time.

    Eto’o and the Cameroon delegation saw red over a penalty that led to Brazil’s equaliser at the match in Bogota, Colombia on September 11.

    Eto’o is suspended from attending any Cameroon matches, men or women and of any age category, but the sanction does not effect his role as president of Fecafoot, Cameroon’s football federation.

    In July, Eto’o was fined $200,000 for a brand deal with an online gambling firm ruled to be an ethics violation by the Confederation of African Football.

    Eto’o, elected president of Fecafoot in 2021, was also in conflict with his country’s sports ministry, calling their appointment of Belgian Marc Brys earlier this year as the men’s team coach “illegal”.

  • My contest in Douala was pretty competitive – Ese Brume

    My contest in Douala was pretty competitive – Ese Brume

     Newly crowned African women’s long jump queen, Nigeria’s Ese Brume, says her journey to winning the gold medal at the ongoing 23rd African Senior Athletics championships in Douala, Cameroon was tough.
     “I’m excited winning the gold medal here, but It was pretty competitive irrespective of the distance,” ever-smiling Brume told AFN media on Tuesday. “But I am glad I was able to get the gold.”
    The 28 year old, Delta State-born athlete, jumped 6.73m to capture the gold medal on Monday evening to increase Nigeria’s gold medal tally at the championship to three, before the women’s 4x100m relay grabbed one more.
    Becoming the only athlete to win four Long Jump titles, three consecutive at the African Championships, as well as the first African to win two Long Jump medals at the World Athletics Championships
    The 1.67m tall athlete, holds a personal best of 7.17m. Brume currently holds the commonwealth games record, African junior record and African record in the event.
    On Tuesday, at the team’s base, Noubou hotel in Douala, the five-time African junior champion in athletics, confirmed she would be joining Team Nigeria for the Olympic camp in Germany, alongside her coach Yahaya Kayode.
    “I will continue to work with my coach to ensure I make a better performance at the Olympics Games.”
    In 2022, the Olympic bronze medalist, became the first African woman in history to jump four legal marks over 7.00m.
  • Amusan, Brume 38 others listed for African Athletics Championship

    Amusan, Brume 38 others listed for African Athletics Championship

    40 Nigerian athletes have been listed by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, (AFN) to represent the country at the 2024 African Senior Athletics Championship  scheduled for  Douala, Cameroon.

    Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi are top on the list of women that will travel to the Central African Country.

    Other prominent names on the list are, Favour Ofili, Favour Ashe and Chidi Okezie.

    It would be recalled that all the athletes secured qualification for the competition at the Nigerian Athletics trials held in Benin City, Edo State this week

    The 2024 African Senior Athletics Championship will run from Friday, June 21 to Wednesday, June 26.

    The athletes are expected to use the competition as part of their preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games holding  in Paris 2024.

  • I chose AFCON and never played for Barca again – Cameroon keeper

    I chose AFCON and never played for Barca again – Cameroon keeper

    Nimes goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa says his commitment to Cameroon saw him sacrifice his career at Barcelona.

    Ondoa came through the La Masia system, but admits wanting to play for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations cost him his chance at Barca.

    He told Foot Mercato: “For us it has always been something extraordinary to be able to be two high-level Cameroonian goalkeepers. At La Masia I and André (Onana) we weren’t in the same category but we still lived together. I was able to train with the first team before him and I was able to explain to him how it worked. When it happened to him, he was already ready.

    “If I thought about becoming Barcelona’s number 1? I think I might have had my chance. I have an anecdote about it. When I signed my first professional contract with Barça, the former director of La Masia told me that I was the Martin Luther King of La Masia. He explained to me that I was the first African goalkeeper to have signed a professional contract with Barcelona. It’s something extraordinary and demonstrated the expectations that were placed on me.

    “Then decisions were made. I made some choices regarding the Cameroon national team. I had made it a priority and wanted to participate in the African Cup in 2015. This is what shook the system, I was made to understand. What was I really told? I was kindly reminded that I had been trained with the aim of eventually breaking into the first team. I was told it was a little early to reach Cameroon. I was professional because I played with Barça’s reserves, who were playing in the second division at the time.

    “As you know, this championship does not respect the FIFA calendar so when you go to the national team the championship continues. It was my big handicap. I won’t mention his name but when I started with Cameroon in 2014, I was in the second division with the B team. The reserve coach told me: ‘you’ve just won the Youth League, you’ve signed a professional contract. You have to play. If you go to Cameroon, I can’t guarantee you will play.’ I went to the national team and never played for Barcelona again.”

  • Paris 2024: How Super Falcons defeated indomitable Lions of Cameroon to reach final qualifying phase

    Paris 2024: How Super Falcons defeated indomitable Lions of Cameroon to reach final qualifying phase

    Nigeria reached the final round of the African qualifying series for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after Esther Okoronkwo’s 15th minute goal at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja separated Nigeria and Cameroon in a turgid 180-minute battle over two legs.

     

    After 105 minutes of scoreless action (90 minutes in Douala and 15 minutes in Abuja), the Henan FC of China forward took matters into her own hands. Latching onto the ball from a long thrust out of the defence, Okoronkwo outpaced her markers and got close to the byline before finding captain Rasheedat Ajibade, whose chip was parried by the brilliant goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, only onto the path of the onrushing Okonronkwo who finished with aplomb.

     

    Jennifer Echegini, whose disallowed goal in Douala on Friday was still subject of controversy among pundits, had blazed over the sticks in the 13th minute, before Okoronkwo’s excellent effort. In the 32nd minute, Cameroon came very close from a corner kick when Menene Meyong got her head to the ball, but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie stopped its progress to the far corner.

     

    Ajibade and Okoronkwo had efforts blocked by Bihina, and Cameroon’s Mana Lamine blazed over the bar with two minutes left in the first period.

     

    In the second period, Bihina kept out all efforts by Ajibade, Echegini and substitutes Akudo Ogbonna and Asisat Oshoala. On the hour mark, Cameroon thought they had equalized when Marie Ngah Manga got her head to a cross by the energetic substitute Marie Enganemben, but Nnadozie stretched full length to parry the ball out of danger.

     

    The Lionesses finished with 10 men when the volatile Enganemben pushed Nnadozie during a bizarre rush by Cameroonian players to touch Nnadozie’s net.

     

    Victory sets up a mouth-watering final round fixture between nine-time champions of Africa, Nigeria and reigning African champions South Africa, which will be disputed in April.

  • Paris 2024: Super Falcons off to Douala to confront Indomitable Lionesses

    Paris 2024: Super Falcons off to Douala to confront Indomitable Lionesses

    Nine-time African champions Nigeria will fly to Cameroon’s industrial and economic capital, Douala on Wednesday night as they continue the search for a ticket to another appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after 16 years.

    The Super Falcons last participated at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China in 2008, when they lost by the odd goal to both Democratic Republic of Korea and Germany in Shenyang, and 1-3 to Brazil in Beijing to crash out at group stage.

    The route to London 2012 was blocked by Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses, who won a penalty shoot-out in Yaounde after both teams finished the two legs in a stalemate. Equatorial Guinea made the journey to Rio 2016 impossible and Cote d’Ivoire bumped the Falcons in the race to a place in Tokyo.

    After eliminating Ethiopia in the second round of the series, the Super Falcons must now cross the Cameroonian hurdle to reach the final round of the African qualification series, and throw down the gauntlet to whichever opposition appears at that stage in two months’ time.

    The first leg encounter will take place at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala on Friday evening, with Ugandan official Shamirah Nabadda as referee. Her compatriots Lydia Nantabo, Jane Mutonyi and Diana Murungi will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Khadija Rezzag from Morocco will be the referee assessor while Lukusa Kanjinga from Democratic Republic of Congo will be the commissioner.

    Coach Randy Waldrum has selected 21 players, who will all be on the trip to Douala, and then fly down to Abuja on Sunday morning for the return leg against the Lionesses, which will hold at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Monday evening.

    Waldrum and his assistants will lead the full squad on a training session at the main bowl of MKO Abiola National Stadium on Wednesday evening before the delegation’s departure to Douala. The team will have the official training at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala on Thursday evening.

    By Tuesday afternoon, only attacking midfielder Toni Payne and forward Uchenna Kanu were being expected at the team camp, with Kanu scheduled to turn up on Tuesday night and Payne expected on Wednesday morning.