Day: August 12, 2023

FECAFOOT comex says CAF sabotaging Eto’o’s image

The executive committee of the Cameroon Football Federation met on Friday, August 11, and denounced CAF’s statement on “alleged improper conduct” by Samuel Eto’o.

While reiterating their support for the FECAFOOT president, the members expressed disappointment at the communique published by CAF on its website on August 9.

The confederation had said it was contacted by several Cameroonian stakeholders over the alleged “poor” management of the Cameroon Football Federation by Eto’o.

The executive committee members said such a declaration by CAF was “inappropriate” and aims at “tarnishing the image of Samuel Eto’o as well as that of the Cameroon Football Federation.”

“Consequently, the members of the executive committee of the Cameroon Football Federation invite CAF to be more prudent in the treatment of complaints submitted to its attention and call on the confederation to withdraw the said communique from its platforms” a section of the communique signed by first vice president Eko Celine read.

She indicated that the executive committee members are waiting for the elements of the complaints CAF said it received from “several Cameroonian stakeholders.”

Before the meeting held by the FECAFOOT executive committee, Eto’o’s lawyer, Elam Bony Privat, had also released a statement expressing shock at CAF’s communique which he said was “hasty”.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Mosque collapses, kills 7 in Kaduna state, Nigeria

At least seven persons have died and several others injured after a portion of the Zaria Central mosque collapsed on worshippers during prayers on August 11, 2023, in Zaria city, Kaduna State, Northeastern Nigeria.

The Council spokesman of Zaria Emirate Council, Abdullahi Kwarbai stated that the incident occurred as hundreds of faithful observed their afternoon prayers

“Four bodies were found initially, and then three others were found after the rescue team searched the collapsed mosque,” he said, local media, the cable news reported.

According to the state Emergency Management Agency, the 23 persons who were injured were taken to nearby hospitals by firefighters.

As part of the Muslim culture, the deceased were buried immediately, and the faithfuls returned to pray for their souls.

State officials revealed that the mosque was constructed in the 1830s.

The Governor of Kaduna state, Uba Sani has however ordered an immediate investigation into the disaster and promised to assist those affected by the incident, media reports said.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Bamenda road-work maintenance, ‘adding salt into wounds’

The population of Bamenda have described the maintenance of road networks currently taking place in the town of City, as abnormal and untimely.

The reactions comes in at a time that authorities of the region are currently rehabilitating some stretches.

Rehabilitation work is currently taking place on the stretch from Miss Ngeng junction to City Chemist roundabout.

Speaking to CNA, road users say scrapping the old tar to replace with ground will be dangerous, especially with the dry season fast approaching.

“I don’t support what they are doing because I have never seen it anywhere that maintenance is done in the heart of a town with ground. The kind of dust we will experience during the dry season will be horrible,” a road user said.

Others have warned that the situation may lead to a lot of health problems.

“It has not been long they did the same thing on the road from Veterinary junction to Old Town. Only the dust that is coming out is terrible. It seems we are already in the dry season. All these is dangerous for our health,” a bike rider by name Ernest said.

Some taxi drivers are of the opinion that the roads won’t last, just like some sections that were rehabilitated some months back.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Karma? – Eto’o facing what he served predecessor Seidou Mbombo Njoya

The series of events rocking Samuel Eto’o’s administration at FECAFOOT, are similar to what his predecessor Seidou Mbombo Njoya faced during his mandate.

A few weeks to the FECAFOOT elections held in December 2021, Eto’o initiated several moves to have the then president suspended. He filed complaints against Seidou Mbombo Njoya, highlighting abuse of power, corruption, embezzlement and match-fixing.

The former footballer himself, has recently been under pressure to resign, with his own mandate just halfway gone. Some of his collaborators including a faction of club presidents, have been relentless in their call for his suspension, accompanied by complaints written to CAF and FIFA.

CAF reacted on Wednesday, August 9, following the reception of letters from “several Cameroonian stakeholders”. The football governing body said Eto’o is accused of “improper conduct”.

These are similar accusations Seidou Mbombo Njoya received from Eto’o two years ago.

In a letter written to the FECAFOOT Ethics Committee in November 2021, Eto’o raised concerns over multiple issues including Astres FC’s prevention from regaining its place in the Elite One in 2019, despite the validation of an appeal following the club’s relegation to the Elite Two.

He used the incident to depict what he called a “corrupt” Seidou Mbombo Njoya administration. He said Astres FC of Douala through its President, Kamdem Dieudonne, was bribed to stay in the The Elite Two after they had appealed their relegation to the inferior league and were reinstated. This is similar to Eto’o’s dealings with the President of Victoria United, Valentine Nkwain, which observers say enabled the Limbe-based club’s promotion to the Elite One.

Before his election on December 11, 2021, Eto’o had also written to the Secretary-General of FIFA Madame Fatma Samoura, raising an alert on efforts by Seidou Mbombo Njoya to tamper with the electoral process. He also wrote letters to the FIFA Ethics Committee.

The hunter has become the hunted as CAF is expected to give a verdict regarding the complaints received from some Cameroonian stakeholders against Eto’o.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

PM Abiy Graduates Commandos at Bilate Training Center

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today graduates thousands of commandos that have undergone rigorous training at Bilate Commando and Airborne Training Center.

The Bilate Commando and Airborne Training Center graduated commandos that have undergone rigorous training in various difficult scenarios that call for dealing with dire obstacles with swift actions.

Marking the occasion, the trainees showcased the acquired skills during a large scale mock exercise, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

As part of the activities, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also reviewed and opened an amphitheater constructed by the training center with the capacity of seating in thousands and planted seedlings at the Bilate Center.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Honored to Preside over Graduation Ceremony of Ethiopia’s Largest Elite Force, PM Abiy Says

" I am honored to preside over the graduation ceremony of Ethiopia’s largest elite force this morning," Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed wrote on his Facebook Page.

This force is tasked with the dual objectives of stopping battles from occurring and if pushed into one, then finishing ones that have been started, the premier said.

He further said our elite forces will sustain and handover to coming generations a resilient and great Ethiopia.

The Bilate Commando and Airborne Training Center today graduated commandos that have undergone rigorous training in various difficult scenarios that call for dealing with dire obstacles with swift actions.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

PM Abiy Says Army That Fits Greatness of Ethiopia, Serves the Country Bravely Has Been Established

A defense force that fits the greatness of Ethiopia and serves the country bravely is established, according to Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed.

Commandos and anti-terrorist special force members that have undergone rigorous training at Bilate Commando and Airborne Training Center graduated in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy today.

The premier congratulated the graduates for successfully completing the tough training given by the center.

The PM noted that a defense force that fits the greatness of Ethiopia and serves the country bravely is established.

According to him, the defense force has been paying sacrifice to make Ethiopia stand tall and firm.

He further stated that the main objective of the army is to deter war and ensure quick victory if it happens.

Ethiopia's foremost desire is peace, the premier stressed, adding that this has not been confined to the country but also in peace keeping activities in different countries.

Abiy pointed out that Ethiopia has built a peace keeping force that can effectively meet the mission of keeping peace in Africa.

Ethiopia will make African brothers proud and be the guardian of its neighbors, he said.

The prime minister stated that Ethiopia will never be a source of war but a source of peace for all its neighbors.

“Ethiopia is a country that believes in the principles of negotiation, consultation and respect in everything it needs; but not a country that wants to bully its neighbors and seize things that it wants. Ethiopia is a country that has dignity, culture, loves others and stands for peace,” Abiy underscored.

The prime minister finally urged today's graduates to always be ready to put their country and people first.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

National Defense Force Strong Enough to Protect Ethiopia: Field Marshal Birhanu Jula

Armed with modern technology and equipped with military science and art, the National Defense Force is now in a strong position to protect the country, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula said.

The 41st round Zobel Course Commandos and Anti-terrorist Special Force members graduated in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula said a modern army has been built based on the strategy of having a strong defense force.

According to him, a strong and modern army has been built to save Ethiopia from any force of destruction.

He also confirmed that the National Defense Force is armed with the latest technology and military science and art so as to protect the country.

Field Marshal Berhanu finally stressed that the National Defense Force is the last bastion of Ethiopia's sovereignty.

The building of a modern army will continue, he pointed out.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency