Dr Taniform Peter, the section President of Mezam I A (Bamenda I municipality) in the North West region has been using a local sports tournament in the past years to engage the youth of his community in promoting the much-desired peace, and an up shot in the number of schoolchildren returning to the classroom.
The fourth edition of the tournament organised by Dr Taniform wrapped up in grand style on Sunday September 4, 2025. With the football finals at the Bujong Community Field in Bamendankwe, of the Bamenda I sub division conterminous to the Mezam IA section of the CPDM party.
Dr Taniform knows the unifying power of sports capable of bringing people together no matter the political inclination, religion or origin. And he is using sports to promote peace in his community. Since Dr Taniform started the initiative the need for peace and unity has even become extremely urgent with the advent of the security crisis in the two English-speaking regions, and the separatist movement touting the breakaway of the North West and South West regions. Authorities are supporting such initiatives from local party leaders. The Inspector General at the North West Governor’s Office, Seidou Musa, who represented the Governor chaired the official ceremony to end Dr Taniform-sponsored the holiday tournament.
Other officials also present included the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO of Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh; the North West Regional Assembly President, Prof Fru Angwafo; Bamenda the City Mayor, Paul Achobong; the Mayor of Bamenda I Council, Mbigha Felix and the traditional ruler of Bamendakwe, Fon Forchesiri III, among others. The dignitaries and the massive turnout watched Atugolah FC lift the trophy after overpowering All Stars of Ntenefor by one goal to nil.
During the event, authorities of the North West region congratulated sponsors and elite of the community, and singled out Dr Taniform Peter, for championing the peaceful initiative capable of uniting Bamendankwe. Also, the tournament has over the years enjoyed the support of Bamenda I Council and the Port Authority of Douala.
The event was a crowd puller better than political rally would have done. “We are really satisfied with the mobilisation we saw today at the Bujong Community Field in Bamenda I. All the youth came out to witness the finals. I must say that the sponsors did well. This is an indication that school resumption will be the same. So we are expecting more students and teachers in the classrooms,” Seidou Musa, representative of the Governor, said. The Mayor of Bamenda I Council, Mbigha Felix, threw flowers at the initiator Dr Taniform Peter as well as others. “I want to thank Dr Taniform Peter, who is the patron and sponsor of this competition, the Bamenda I Council and the Port Authority of Douala,” Mayor Mbigha said.
Beyond rewarding the striking talent displayed on the turf with trophies, medals, and mouth-watering prize money, the sponsors offered tools to farmers, and back-to-school materials to students. The school needs included bags, books, pens and others.
Jude VIBAN
