In language studies, the scale weighs more on those who think that ideas such as " Standard English" and "Perfect Bilingualism" are a pie in the sky. I'm one of such. With this, we have to recognise "our own". That is, that which we are good at. This may be Pidgin or "Cameroon English"; the latter may share up to 95% of similarities with "Standard English". But it MUST be recognised as just an approximation. However still, the instrumental motives for learning a language should push anyone who aspire to function within a more broader scope than just Cameroon, to know that English is the "Key".

The idea here shouldn't be that of categorically denouncing or lobbying for the promotion of Pidgin English. When I endorse the use of this language, I do so, first of all, as a tool to confront a major aspect of Western values ( deconstruction). The applicability of this theory in language validates more points than the literature which it has been used frequently to address. Secondly, it pleases me to challenge the hypocritical nature of the officials who put up these sign posts. But like I once said, harmonising and standardising the far-fetch varieties of Pidgin or the various dialects of whatever local language we deem as representative remains the only solution. This is if we want to adapt or present a new national identity as far as language is concerned. An example will be an effort to merge the differences that exist between the Mankon, Bafut, Mendankwe, Nkwen and all the other dialects that constitute the Lower Ngenba.

Correction please, At the moment, I don't think speeches in what ever language will get it.

The idea of reaching to the public in written pidgin doesn't hold to me. We could try that through oral means but then how do we harmonise the far-fetch varieties of Pidgin? The instrumental motives of learning Pidgin are not that compelling. If the "buyam-sellam" is at the benefitting end, English wouldn't be much of a problem to him/her. Politicians may need their votes but how many of them are interested...? How do we get them involved? At the moment, I think speeches in what ever language will get it. VaKunta is till one of those who think Pidgin doesn't have a negative effect on non-native users of English. I strongly oppose this view.

The North Westerners have never castigated a segment of the citizens as "Cam no go". Never in the history of a people has citizens of a single country been so divided. Divided by tribal linings, divided by political choices and the list goes on. Folks, we have to move from the possessive "mine" to "ours". Partnership has been behind the growth of most big investment projects. When we capitalise on the negative, we seek unwarranted vengeance and tend to discriminate; which is the very vice that we are castigating.

Bamendaman, That was a hard one on The Entrepreneur Newsonline and Gimme a break. There is no essence in preaching what doesn't help.

Well, I learnt something new; the betrayal of the Southern Cameroons' course by Fonlon. It's obvious we have the good, the bad and the devilish in Bamenda. The lack of jobs has made it relatively easier to assemble idlers for political gains. I thought a statement that can go unchallenged is that despite the avowed attachment to the CPDM, a person born by a man and woman from the Northwest is, as at now, against the Biya's gov't.

Happy New Year to all the fans of Up Station Mountain Club! Asafor you're welcome! Ras it's time for action and Ma Mary we're missing you. As for the rest, you've all been so wonderful. We are not stopping yet. The struggle continues......

I can see the Banju verdict having a strong influence on that speech. I avoided going through that speech initially because I thought it was going to be the same old song. Well, as someone once asked John McCain, which future can Biya plan for Cameroon when he is not going to be part of that future? He even look so worn out. I thought a genuine decentralisation could reduce the load on him. Or why not a move back to the federal system.

Here we are again, facing the glaring ignominy of being insignificant. In a list of 50, we can't count 3 of ours. Our businesses have been crippled. Gov't approved scholarships are not for us. Ours have gone on self exile. Any Southern Cameroonian who still hasn't got it, should get it now. A loose federation is not too much to ask. Is it?

"Are out of the dragnet?" should read Are you out of the dragnet?

Claiming to be righteous is a wonderful thing. Isn't it? So rather than trading insults and claiming to be light years away from each other, I would be pleased to see a generation of youths that can each openly declare that I AM NOT A TRIBALIST, I AM NOT A CORRUPT PERSON. Open declarations warrant a firm commitment, an avoidance of public criticism etc. It will be difficult to find Cameroonians who have not been at the receiving end of a corrupt deal. From parents to uncles and aunts to tribal folks. From undeserved marks granted by corrupt lecturers to government projects accorded on preferential terms by corrupt officials. Are out of the dragnet? What we need is a "NEW" Cameroon.

I thought intellectuals who can't openly criticise the gov't would adopt funny user's name to really air out their mind. I thought those diehard supporters of Biya can find an avenue like this to speak the truth, to tell Cameroonians that "our hands are tight". But when the usual nonsense is brought to a forum like this, we begin to wonder if some of these guys have not been injected with the C...... virus

The Entrepreneur, When someone sees "blue" and call it "black", the views of such person can be deliberated. But when "black" is referred to as "immaculate white" without any feeling of ignominy, then that person is definitely acting on something.

It's easier for several hands to tie a bundle. Partnership has been at the back of most giant corporations the world over and especially in the real estate sector. Most Cameroonian diasporans only think of building a nice villa amid the slums. I mean most of our energy goes into projecting our individual importance. If we could relegate this a little and think about the collective success, if we could think transforming that beloved continent, the I don't see how "the where you are" is of importance. On a different note, I've been wondering what is happening with Up Station Mountain Club. What is happening to the high debating spirit we had here. Folks we've got to ignore the postings of some of those paid propandists and move ahead. Hope you all had a merry xmas.

When there is a feeling of insecurity ( financial and otherwise) anything can happen. But the whole issue boils down to mentality. The limitation of the "self" is the root cause of this. Some women simply exploit the weaknesses of their partners. When a wife becomes the husband, .....

Let me see if I can put this correctly. I think if we branded our political system as "Democratic" we were trying to line our country with super powers in order to reap the proceeds of initiating such a transformation. Now, can we unanimously allow TALENT to dominate the political scene in Cameroon? Is it even our wish? I mean, can we allow those who can best fill a gap to fill that gap? Can we allow 10 geniuses ( I mean real geniuses ) who are all from one small village to head 10 ministerial positions? I would say YES and Yes again; even though my small yes will face a mighty NO. However, what this NO does is a call for a rebranding of the political practice. In relation to Ebini's article, the issue at stake is not whether all the potential ministers that were to be appointed by the SDF were from the North West province. The question is, who came up with the list? Was it Fru Ndi? How competent is he to do that? Only one point can prove this; TIME. Time has transformed Fru Ndi from a hero to a Caricature. So if that appointment had seen daylight we may have been engaged in a civil confrontation. Cultural and regional diversity can be best handled by mayors and parliamentarians and not by ministers. If the rebranded political system decides otherwise, then ministerial positions must be shared equitably amongst the regions.

CPDM -USA my foot! There is no right-minded Cameroonian out of Africa who doesn't get embitter by the abuse of power and broad day banditry of the CPDM gov't in Cameroon. So the whole gang brandishing themselves as CPDM-USA are looking for ways to steal. One of such ways is to get closer to the embassy. Another is posing as Organising Committees during Biya's visit. "There is not much that one can eat or drink in any person’s house in America that one cannot afford to buy for himself and his family and consume at his/her home" by Konde. Konde your "wonderful and talented" CPDM gov't can't brag around about peace and economic successes when Cameroonians in the country can't afford these. Konde, your somehow brilliant suggestions above doesn't extricate you from the bunch of that notorious organisation. You are merely playing smart. Your pro-CPDM and anti-graffi stance have taken your PhD to the gutters.

There are some individuals on this site who have adopted the "us against them" approach. Where is your banner of intellectualism? Why do you see any criticism of the CPDM as a potential threat to your gombo? Don't you think being quiet on obvious issues can better protect your gombo?

If we must follow precedence, then I would say first things first. An independent electoral commission before the contestants are made known. But then, if Biya is still a candidate then lets forget about using the ballot. On the issue of a female candidate, the big question is WHY ARE THEY? In fact, Cameroonians of all gender have all stained themselves in one way or the other that very few can beat their chest in public to castigate issues of corruption or nepotism. However, I would still encouraged those who have soiled or abuse their positions at one time but have made considerable progress to redress and work devotedly in their various fields to show up. If not that age may be weighing so much on her, the Dorothy Njuema that I met in Yaounde as rector , is a strict disciplinarian and an achiever. For the few months I spent in Cameroon, I couldn't reconcile the past stories about her and the personality I had the opportunity of interacting with. We may need her kind in Cameroon today. But she wouldn't win my vote if redressing the Anglophone problem is not part of her top most priority.

Being a secessionist doesn't erase the forthrightness of Mbua's narrative. The buildings at Cite Verte are deteriorating. This is a fact. And if you've been out of Cameroon for long, you would find it a little absurd that a very popular restaurant in a city like Yaounde should/can function without a menu. Ras Tuge, what do you expect the police to do to illegal immigrants? We are talking of Cameroonian police harassing Cameroonian citizens and not about British police harassing non British fortune seekers. A cameroonian police referring to an Anglophone as Le Biafra? This is what the authorities were supposed to trash out. And I'm surprise you have to compare the employment situation in Cameroon and London. The British have signals of hope all over. Pessimism looms all over Cameroon. People have tried and they have failed. The economic success of Cameroonians poses a threat to the regime. They have an obligation to keep us in penury so as to continue their hold on power. Ras, you may not have tried your hands at something. Look man, it doesn't work. You would need a god father at one point and at another you would be oblige to bribe. You would meet all sort of crooks posing as tax collectors and you would pay all kind of taxes that are unheard of. Right at the taxation office, you would likely have to bribe before paying you bills. When you try and fail, you would join voices with us to denounce and castigate everything about the system. The system badly needs an overhaul. This has nothing to do with the Southern Cameroons.

I think all of us would have love to see the Cameroon that Ras Tuge and The Entrepreneur have in their imaginations; "di place where you truly relax and rest like a man", the place void of police harassment, the place where you meet millions of successful people, where you meet self-made men and women etc. Now Ras Tuge, very very few Cameroonians truly rest and relax or can even afford a good sleep like you're claiming. I hope you don't equate joblessness with relaxation because the minds of those people are not at rest. Those who have managed to make it live in perpetual fear of being attacked by thieves. Cameroonians are harassed day in day out by fellow Cameroonian police. This is a fact. They envy, they extort and brutalise the populace in broad day light. I don't think I'm the only one who is baffled by this your unwarranted comparison of Cameroon and London. Nobody is blind to the moral decay to which the western world has drifted to, but in terms of infrastructure, there is no call for any comparison. With the bad fate shown by our leaders, I'm afraid we may be thousands of years behind. The Entrepreneur, we've not been able to see the millions of self-made successful Cameroonians. Bribing your way into Emia, ENAM or ENS is not self-made. Is it? Embezzling of public funds is not self-made. IS it? I wonder the number of Cameroonians who can boast of having made their way up that station of economic success without playing the games that the regime wants them to play? What are you guys protecting?

Danny Boy, oh yeah!, That's a hard one on The Entrepreneur. I think I once made this point very clearly that the Bamenda people in particular and Southern Cameroonians as a whole are not lamenting because our areas are less developed than the other regions of Cameroon. The present regime has failed the entire nation. Rather, the Bamenda man thought education, sincerity, hard work and humility could take him a step ahead of the others. Unfortunately, we found ourselves within a system where these values have been crushed. And I don't think anyone has doubt that with the right gov't or system in place, The North West will move faster than any other region. And this may be sooner than some dumb-asses on this site think.