THE MINISTER`S VISIT AND LEVI `S OUTBURST

I have followed with keen interest the debate generated by Asahfon Levi`s flare-up to the effect that Mbu (Baforchu) people treated very lightly  the recent visit of the Minister of Animal Breeding, Livestock and Animal Industries to the village.

Thanks to an article published by Cameroon Tribune on the visit and posted on the Mbu forum by Getrude Kisob, I have gained further insight into the visit. I noticed that on the whole, Cameroon Tribune treated the visit as one of success in which the minister, Mbu people and the North West Regional Governor went away satisfied and happy. Even Ntomfon Jonathan Fru whom Levi claimed was slighted by Mbu people through their disinterest was portrayed as being satisfied.

The minister, by the way, was in the village to hand over to Mbu people a mill for the production of feed for pigs, the field of pig farming being one that has gained grounds considerably in Mbu in recent years. Cameroon Tribune actually says that to date Mbu village has raised some 250 pigs in 50 families, whereas when the project was launched, the number of families was only eight.

Levi said he was “so angry that the President of MBUDCA of all that we respect very much took such a visit like a Joke.” A joke? But according to Cameroon Tribune, not only was MBUDCA represented at the visit, MBUDCA actually made a speech. Cameroon Tribune reports it thus: “Tell President Paul Biya that the people of Mbu village are grateful for his great gift of an Industrial Feed Mill and the bypass through Mbu into metropolitan Bamenda.” These words were pronounced by a leader of the Mbu Development and Cultural Association (MBUDCA), Fombe Patrick.” So, if Tomfon Patrick Fombe was present and did what he did in the name of MBUDCA, why does Levi still take the MBUDCA President General to task?

Asahfon Levi  presented the mill as an initiative of Tomfon Jonathan Fru by saying: “The idea of a Minister coming home was initiated by Mr. Fru Jonathan, Inspector General at the Ministry of Public contracts through the operation `one man, one pig` project which I wrote some five years (ago). The intention was to empower Mbu people to fight poverty through (an) income generating activity.  Piglets were handed to all Mbu people who were interested and for quite some time feed was provided to all Pig farmers. When it became impossible to provide feed to all, He lobbied and obtained a feed plant for our village Mbu, the only in North West Region which will enable us create jobs for the youths and revenues for the village.” The implication is that by “voting with their feet”, so to speak, Mbu people showed ingratitude and disrespect to Tomfon Jonathan. Yet I do not believe that is how Mbu people feel.

However - and with due respect to Tomfon Jonathan Fru who is not only Mbu but has done a lot for Mbu – and according to Cameroon Tribune, it was not him the minister portrayed as the donor of the mill. The newspaper said: “It was a day for Mbu when Minister Taiga told them that the gift was a demonstration of government’s commitment to modernize livestock production. The Mill, according to him, was a response to reports that Mbu village produces a lot of animals. In short, Minister Taiga said the Mill was inspired by the ‘One Man-One Pig’ project of hope in Mbu. It was against this backdrop that he challenged the community to diversify and increase livestock production because it pays.”

There is no doubt that Levi`s relationship with Tomfon Jonathan Fru supersedes that of just a Mbu child to another, especially as Levi makes it sound personal by saying: “I feel very disgraced in front of Mr Fru Jonathan because I know what he has been doing in other place and how people appreciate.” The truth of the matter is that Tomfon Jonathan Fru is Asahfon Levi`s boss since we read from Levi`s work address that he (Levi) is in the Ministry of Public Contracts where he also states in his submission that  Tomfon Jonathan Fru is Inspector General.

Levi says: “MBUDCA Response left Mr Fru Jonathan very discouraged and astonished.” By taking such extreme positions, Levi has sidelined Tomfon Jonathan Fru and deprived him of speaking for himself. Yet the village is also that of Jonathan. In other words, Levi has cried more than the “bereaved”, to the extent of ruffling feathers and hurting feelings. Did Tomfon Jonathan Fru mandate him to speak on his behalf? Even if Levi decided to speak, he should have controlled himself, used measured language and not gone overboard. Why does he think that he can insult a whole community because of an individual who up to this point has not shown signs of being treated unfairly, let alone betrayed?

It would be better for all of us if next time, Asahfon Levi Fongen thought carefully before expressing himself. Words are as lethal as weapons. But they are also worse because once spoken they can`t be taken back.