2018

For those who do not know; Cleveland is also called “Believe land”. Originated in 2007 and culminated in the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.

NCUDA-USA 2018 Cleveland, Ohio convention registered great successes. New levels were attained in some areas. New England especially Bostonians came down ready to storm. Bostonians were the earliest to reach the Barbecue venue on Friday evening in their colorful and beautiful NCUDA uniforms. They were conspicuous and impressive and remained in their uniforms through the barbecue night. The evening was a great time to reminisce with other NCUDA members, friends and of course, eat and drink.

NCUDA national president Mr. Michael Njika (Nkemawungnong) in the later part of the evening, thanked many members for showing up in Ohio for NCUDA 2018 Convention.

The barbecue rounded up at 11 pm on Friday under the whip of the President, yet many held smaller parties thereafter, away from the barbecue site for another 1-2 more hours before retreating to their hotels.

Our Ohio brothers and sisters continuously supplied handmade tasty chicken. Our hosts had enough drinks and super surplus chicken. Many were obliged to carry along chicken in “should in case” baggies-a true spirit of a Cameroonian party. Last persons, I am told, left at 5:00 AM.

Consequences on the Saturday morning general assembly meeting?

Then was Saturday morning. Normal tradition was kept. General meeting started 3 hours late.
Even national executive members, chapter members, Ohio chapter members were still running critical errands and had to remotely authorize the meeting to start. They would later apologetically present their very warm, confident, and well-received eloquent remarks to the audience on their arrival. The national executive must be applauded for demonstrating good conference management skills in such impromptu embarrassments. Libations and traditional rites led by Ndi B. A. Fomengia were chanted. It was solemn and nostalgic and a blessing to the ever-growing family of Nchenfem in the USA.

Plenary session on Saturday: Most successful and productive ever per some members and void of tensions and being quarrelsome. Discussions were constructive and assimilative. All participants were level-headed. From where came the change? Five action-packed hours of commitment and serious deliberations saw NCUDA-USA members doing exactly what many have yearned for.

The quality of coordination of the deliberations by the executive was eminent and the results were visible. For the first time, the National executive played the lead role in key issues at this convention and that translated to the great success of the convention.

A new executive was elected to steer the activities of the association with Mr. Julius Fomengia as the lead Pilot. The performance by the kids was spectacular. Indeed, Nchenfem kids danced with charm and pride and the kids did not leave the floor until they gathered and exited with their mountain of $1 bills.

Then came the great Gala night and a great fundraiser! The ladies; they stole the show. Yes, they did with their beautifully elegant dresses. Men were all tied up but according to some internal polling, men did not match up to the ladies!

Then the most important part of the night came, “FUNDRAISING” It was a show of love and pride for the motherland Nchenfem. Our donors were so amazing. Indeed, as they say, “Home is where the heart is”. A lot of money was raised thanks to our donors.

Then came, the smartly articulated “Pot auction sale” taking the excitement to higher levels. Can you imagine? A pot worth $19.99 was sold at least 700 bugs. Host chapter next year, take note of the American auction sale. Try a set of cutlery!

The Gala proper ended at about 5:00 am when members retired to their hotel rooms to acquire some sleep. Yet, several people, in subgroups stayed up drinking till 6:00am/6:30am. What a convention!