Meet a PNB Ambassador: Fulei N. Ngangmuta,Owner and Creative Director of Fulei Inc.

Fulei N. Ngangmuta

My name is FuleiNeindum Ngangmuta.

I am from the North West region and for that alone is why I am interested in that Region.  I was born in Bamenda, though raised in the United States, and that was home for me.  My entire family is there and Bamenda is what I know. 

I am the Owner and Creative Director of Fulei Inc. where we believe style and production come hand in hand.  We cater to the arts community, whether fashion, music, or entertainment, to bring a sense of style and make production easy for any project. This is done by getting to know our client one on one and creating a personalized plan to meet their end goal.

I created Fulei Inc. because after working many years in the fashion industry, through the retail, freelancing, projects, and being contracted, I saw a major need where people needed to be treated with respect, workers empowered to use their strengths in proper areas, and events that needed simple clear direction and organization.  These basic needs were not being provided for and I knew that I was able to do just that.

I have had much success in the industry by being given the opportunity to work alongside key players, gain experience, and network myself in many arenas.  Because of these opportunities, I was given a chance to run my first full fashion show in 2007 and since then have not stopped.  I have been the backstage manager for Fashion Week Tampa Bay since its inception in 2008, was contracted as a stylist for IMG in conjunction with Westfield where I toured 4 major cities in the USA and styled over 100 women in each market.  I have also worked in fashion retail since 2005 which developed my personal one on one abilities, leadership qualities, and sales skills.  Lastly I have helped organize, coordinate, and run numerous fashion shows, music events, and even weddings.

I feel like people from the Northwest are dedicated, resilient, and entrepreneurial at heart.  I love seeing that no matter the circumstance that we make the best of it and continue to strive forward.  Understanding how dedication to our word, family, and work are so integral to who we are as a people and that despite the many economic challenges and setbacks that Cameroon has, that we are able to push forward to create businesses and have an entrepreneurial mind in order to better our way of life.

My heart has always been for northwestern people to be recognized for the greatness that lies within us.  I want to be able to see the younger generation have a chance to really live out and fulfill their dreams and use the arts in order to ensure this path.  I believe as artistic as we are we have not given our younger generation the ability to really seek out and fulfill their dreams especially in the arts.  I want to be a catalyst for change and let the younger generation know that this is a viable and legitimate means of fulfilling your passion and being true to who God has created them to be.

I would love to partner up and collaborate with others who have a heart to see our next generation really be given the ability to work out their passions in a supportive environment and given the tools and opportunities to make this happen.

I think Project New Bamenda is a vehicle needed to bring change through economic growth and collaboration in order to see the prospering and betterment of Bamenda.  This is a much needed and well-timed opportunity for the northwestern region.

My dreams are that the arts and entertainment realms would be a viable industry to engage the global market.  That people worldwide would know where Bamenda is and that we are an equal contender in these fields, if not more.

One Last One

I enjoy “poisson braisé” with miondos and top pamplemousse on the side.  Since I’m a Kom woman, I do also enjoy kati-kati.

Meet a PNB Ambassador: Sine Tum, Music Artist

Sine Tum

My name is Sine Tum Emmanuel. I go by SINE (formally Sidney), both on stage and off.

I am from the Aghem tribe in Menchum division, Wum.

I am a music artist currently residing in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. The journey has been long. I had the honor of representing Cameroon in 2008 in Gabon in the first edition of AFRICA STAR in which I came out on top of the competition.

Since then, I have had the opportunity to record with top Cameroonian artists like Richard Bona, Petit Pays, Lady Ponce and many others. Also, performing in different countries within and out of Africa has been very beneficial in preparing me to face the challenging career of a musician in Cameroon.

Today, I am signed to STM Records and I work at STM Studios (The record label’s studio, housed at the Solomon Tandeng Muna Foundation), where my album was recorded and will be coming out soon. The first single, “Njoka Njoka” is now on the market and pleasantly, it is doing very well.

I went to CS Bayele primary school and later GBHS Bamenda. Bamenda is a precious priceless part of my life. I started my Career as a singer in Bamenda at the former Hollywood cabaret for those who can still remember. Bamenda holds a special place in my heart. I love the hardworking nature of the Bamenda man. I appreciate the fact that people are down-to-earth, and extremely welcoming. I’m proud to call it home.

In order to contribute to development, it is imperative that I excel at my craft. This is why I work tirelessly to constantly make great music. I have for the past years been working on an album project to also place myself in the competitive world of the music business. I am opened to any project that has to do with the development of this sector and any other sector like the health sector where I've been working with some renown NGOs like “K.O PALU” for the fight against Malaria, and “AAA” for the fight against HIV and Malaria. I believe that the more successful I am at what I do, will shine the light in the music business in Bamenda, creating more opportunities to the locals and an awareness to the world that Bamenda is ready.

Project New Bamenda is a great initiative. It is time for Bamenda to embrace the bright future that lies ahead of it. Congratulations on a great initiative. You have my full support.

My dream is to be able to support young artists from the North-West Region by creating the opportunities that I did not have when I was growing up. I want to see state-of-the-art art schools, recording studios flourishing in the North-West region, so that young people do not feel like they have to go somewhere else look for greener pastures which  is always around the corner.

One Last One

• My favorite dish is water fufu and eru but I won't say no to ekwang or Kati -Kati .

Meet a PNB Ambassador: Peter Njodzeka, CEO Penjo Entertainment

Peter Njodzeka

I am Peter Njodzeka a.k.a. Penjo Baba.

I was born in Kumbo, in the North West Region of Cameroon. I have been an entertainment entrepreneur since 2003 by founded Penjo Entertainment where I work as CEO till date.

Penjo Entertainment is into photography, production of documentaries, movies and beauty pageants. My stories have such titles as “Slave Village”, ‘’ The Kids”, “Changing Lives, Improving Health”, “The truth”, “Beriwo” just to name a few. 

I have also been blessed to work with some international and renowned companies and programs like CNN World View, BBC World News, Diageo Foundation Community Water Projects and CRTV.

As producer of pageants, I have organised competitions like Miss University Africa for the CEMAC Region and Miss West Africa Cameroon 2011. 

My work has been recognized by some of the most prestigious awards in Cameroon and beyond in the likes of the Award Winning People's Choice at the Cameroon Entertainment Award in the USA, Best Director of Photography at the Cameroon Movie Merit Award where I was nominated in the categories Best Editor, Best Director of Photography, Best Movie Promoter and Best Production House.

My job gives me the opportunity to travel to different places in Cameroon and Africa, all the while learning from the different cultures and meeting different people.

This has left me with a very appreciative heart for our unique culture, sincerity, honesty, love and respect for Humanity which are all found in excess in the North West Region. That also gave me the push and desire to contribute in the development of my own community.  This then let me into creating Life and Water Development Group Cameroon (LWDGC) five years ago which is involved in providing clean and potable water to isolated villages and communities in Cameroon.

Running two organizations is not easy but I do not consider it work as it is a blend of all my passions.

I want to be an active part of the change in the North West Region and contribute in building our entertainment industry and promoting our culture through movies, music, fashion, etc. 

I think Project New Bamenda is a good initiative. This project will help promote our NW culture. Being part of it is an honour. 

My dream is to see the North West Region becoming a leader in business and entertainment and a model for other regions of Cameroon to emulate. I see Bamenda having a growing influence in the future of our country with a voice that can speak and be heard. I hope Project New Bamenda will constitute a signal that we should start pushing ourselves further to prove to the world that we deserve more and can only achieve if we believe.

One Extra One 

My favourite dish is Fufu and Njama njama and  kahti kahti.

Njodzeka means “What is My Crime”.

Meet a PNB Ambassador: Shiri Achu, Artist, Painter & Architect.

Shiri Achu

My name is Shiri Achu Morcho and my heritage is deeply planted in the North West Region of Cameroon.  My father – Baforchu; My mother - Awing.

I currently live between London and USA and I'm an Artist/Painter and an Architect. I qualified as an Architect in 2006 and practiced for a number of years but when the economy plummeted, I saw myself taking a rather natural turn to what is inherently a great love - painting! I've always wanted to work as both an Artist and an Architect, so I'm pleased that today, I am.

As an Architect, I have worked with Foster and Partners in London and Berlin and worked for Scott Brownrigg in Covent Garden, London. Privately I undertake small commissioned jobs.

As an Artist - Shiri Achu of SHIRIACHUART -  my art comes from everyday unsurprising yet unexpectedly vivid moments, times, places and objects. I draw insight from my travels particularly from natural moments captured in Africa especially my home country – Cameroon.

I have been awarded The Best Artist in Brent by the Brent Council, London, UK. I was short listed and appeared on the BBC art show - ‘Show me the Monet’ in July 2012 and notable icons such as football legend Roger Milla, and Grammy award singer Faith Evans own my art. My art sells at The Smithsonian/National museum of African Art, Washington DC, USA as well as in Prague, Lisbon, Australia, Cameroon and numerous other cities around the world.

I have painted a grandmother pounding Achu, women mixing yellow Achu soup, a young girl climbing a pawpaw tree, a mother carrying her child on her back etc. These are all typical scenes found in Cameroon painted to express just how beautiful those simple everyday moments (showcasing the culture of Cameroon) can be. I exhibit and promote my work in the West so that they can see a little of Cameroon and learn a little of the culture.

What is particularly thrilling to me is the fact that when people (especially from the western world) buy my work, they are expressing their love for and celebrating the culture of Cameroon. I’m excited to share that two of my paintings (1.1.11 Baforchu celebrates and 1.1.11 Baforchu big men celebrate) depicting the ‘toghu’ the traditionally embroidered clothing worn by the North West Region have been purchased by many people from various corners of the world.

1.1.11 Bachorfu celebrates

1.1.11 Baforchu big men celebrate

The people of the North West Region are humble, peaceful, hard working and determined to develop their Region. I admire their spirit, their culture, and their determination. These reasons motivate me to express myself and the culture, the best way I can, through my paintings.

I would love to continue in being involved in the development of the North-West Region through my art. Painting more to promote the culture worldwide. My wish would be to see an increase in tourism as a result of people seeing my art. I paint to express the culture and the spirit of its people so I wish for people in the Western world to be intrigued by what they see and have a desire to visit.

My dreams and hopes for Bamenda and the North-West Region are many; As much as I would love to see the increase number of interest/tourism which would hopefully boost the economy, I pray for good arts schools in Bamenda and the North West. I know there are very many talented artists in Cameroon who are not given the opportunity to express themselves in their arts due to lack of facilities for training and developing as well as parents only wishing their children to follow the very straight academic route to becoming a doctor, teacher etc.

I visited Kenya and came back mesmerized by the Maasai and their culture – I thought, hold on, I already knew the Maasai even before I went to Kenya! I then made a somewhat abstract painting ‘Maasai tone’ which people recognize instantly as the ‘Maasai’ - even though the men in the painting are faceless! They are recognized just by their stance and their robes! I am fascinated by this. If I could only get that sort of worldwide recognition for a single tribe in Cameroon that would be fantastic!! With the many various diverse cultures and practices in each region in Cameroon, and representing Bamenda, I will aspire to do this with the ‘toghu’, amongst others who celebrate the ‘toghu’ through fashion etc

‘Project New Bamenda’ is a fantastic and forward thinking initiative and makes a lot of sense! I am so excited and honored to be given the opportunity to be part of this great movement. I thank the Initiators for their wisdom and love for the North West Region and in this initiative.

Bamenda is sitting, stirring and ready to explode. I am going to be so excited and present, when it does.

One last One

My favourite dish

Choosing from the myriad of wonderful dishes, I would have to say my favourite meal from Bamenda is Achu.

My favourite place

Bamenda Station (from that top point, looking down)

My favourite proverb

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and he’ll eat forever.

Meet a PNB Ambassador: Magasco Efsi, Music Artist

Magasco Efsi a.k.a Bamenda Boy

My name is Tohnain Anthony Nguo a.k.a Magasco Efsi, a Hip Hop/Afropop artiste from Boyo Division specifically the Kom tribe.

For now, I am a little bit everywhere nationally in Douala, Buea, Yaounde but mostly based in Bamenda where my career started.

Talking about my career, I  am a composer, writer and singer who started at the age of 5 but professionally, at the age 18. My music is a melting pot of hip hop and African rhythms heavily beefed up with African stories with major themes revolving around love and morality.

In 2012, I caught the attention of MuMaK executives who signed me and gave me more nationwide and worldwide visibility. I also won the “Bafani Awards” in the category of Revolutionary Artist in Bamenda. I am now currently working on my maiden album where some international collaboration will be felt.

     

I love the North West Region first as a mother because I was born and raised there, so technically she gave birth to me. Also life is affordable and above all, the people are welcoming and hospitable. 

My goal is to sing more about the region's lifestyle and realities so as to give it a global appeal and attention that will attract tourists to come witness the rich diverse culture found here. Reason why my second brand name, “Bamenda Boy”, represents the main city of this region.

   

Project New Bamenda is a dream comes true because I think its goals are purely developmental since it is re-branding the city to attain the status it deserves.

My wish is to blow internationally and put my region on the global map with regards to entertainment and tourism. I also wish and pray that many others break through from other sectors of the industry  like fashion designing, fine arts and even music because it is the cumulative effect of our individual efforts that will definitely make the North West Region the land of tourism and entertainment we all are craving for.