It is one year after the historic hand over of the oil rich Bakassi Peninsular to the Cameroonian authorities.
One year after, Cameroonians living in Bakassi say the area is in a gradual but constant metamorphosis with the Cameroon government spearheading the process, meanwhile, Nigerians living in Akwa Ibom State claim that one year after the final handover of the Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon by the Nigerian government, and more than four months after the pump and glee that greeted the ceremonial handover of houses to returnee Bakassi people at the resettlement village at Ekpiri Ikan, weeds and reptiles have overtaken the buildings.

It has often been said “le Cameroun c’est le Cameroun” (Cameroon is Cameroon), especially in delicate circumstances, with several interpretations given to the anecdote. Some would interpret it to mean rightly or wrongly that anything can happen in and out of the country.
The consequences of that saying can be disastrous especially to the ordinary citizen, many of whom have not only lost faith in the country and its leaders but also have resigned themselves to fate.
There is general discontentment amongst Cameroonians resulting from flawed contested elections, high cost of living, poverty, unemployment, corruption and general despair. What is, however, interesting is that there are still some Cameroonians who are optimistic that the wheel of fortune would one day turn in our favour.

Since Equatorial Guinea became the new petrol giant in Central Africa, the much talked about sub regional integration seems severely threatened. In March 2004, more than 100 Africans including 27 Nigerians, Malians, Chadians and 73 Cameroonians were chased from Equatorial Guinea. During the same month in the same year, some 300 Cameroonians were sent packing. They only arrived in Limbe, in the South West Region onboard very risky fishing boats. The most xenophobic action on the part of Equatorial Guinea against its fellow African brothers was in December 2007 when some two banks were robbed in Bata.

It is about six months since   Nigeria completely handed over the disputed Bakassi Peninsula to   Cameroon. One of the clauses of the Green Tree Accord specifically spelt out that the welfare of the inhabitants of the area remains paramount.
And of course, not only is it a right for the inhabitants of Bakassi to have a decent and proper life, but it is obligatory and incumbent on the government of Cameroon to keep to its promise of guaranteeing the welfare and security of those living in the area.
This week, the government announced a FCFA 4 billion package for the extension of PAMOL Palm Plantations in the area. This, according to the government, will create jobs and encourage Cameroonians to settle in the area, which has, to a greater extent, been deserted by Nigerians.

Cameroon is already bracing up to celebrate another National Bilingualism Day. The Bilingualism Week, slated to be launched on 26 January in Kumba, South West Region, to culminate in the celebration of the day proper on 4 February 2009.
Over the past years, the National Bilingualism Progamme which is placed under the Presidency of the Republic has grown in terms of the infrastructure and activities put in place to promote this culture amongst Cameroonians.
In fact, this new approach to imparting a bilingual culture amongst Cameroonians must be appreciated and promoted especially as it is amongst the younger generation of Cameroonians.

Last week, the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, Jules Marcellin Ndjaga led a high power government delegation to the dilapidated Limbe port.
His mission was to assist some Spanish experts chose a site for the construction of a fisheries and nautical school.
According to the Senior Divisional Officer, he received firm written instructions form the minister of Transport to allow the Spanish technicians chose a site of their choice along the port.

The 29 December 2006 laws relating to the organiation and functioning of Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, states that its members were to be chosen amongst Cameroonians whose competence, moral integrity, intellectual honesty and their sense of patriotism have their worth. The law equally said that members into ELECAM’s Electoral council must have shown proof of impartiality and neutrality in their various services to the nation.
The key issue under analysis is the neutrality of the members appointed into Elections Cameroon.