13, December 2021
After Bebe Manga: MAXI MANORH delivered to the world once again 0
Last week our senior correspondent in Buea went to her first ever live gig, Maxi Manorh. She reported to our editorial desk that after the late Bebe Manga, if someone gives awesome delivery, it’s Maxi Manorh. Arguably, Maxi Manorh is presently the greatest entertainer English speaking Cameroon has ever known.
“Maxi Manorh is just awesome and funny too. The atmosphere in Buea was great with hundreds singing along and cheering as loud as they can. The nation really loves him and it’s mutual” our chief reporter in Buea, Rita Akana said.
Maxi Manorh was very surprised that non Manyus including French speaking Cameroonians knew the words to ‘peti peti and nchenti’ which are his popular songs. People at the Buea event dressed like Bantus and Semi Bantus and Maxi Manorh was really impressed about that.
Some of his songs were played and he paid tribute to Bebe Manga, Etub Anyang and Francis Ndom. “It’s an amazing feeling hearing people singing along and the sea of lights from mobile phones in the audience” Maxi Manorh was quoted as saying after the concert.
Maxi Manorh has a great way of connecting with the audience. Flirting if you like! Maybe that’s one of the reasons girls want to get close to the stage. It’s was absolutely brilliant.
“Nchemti was a perfect ending. This experience I’ll treasure the rest of my life. If I had the money I would go and see more of his concert” Our chief correspondent furthered. “Even though I had to stand up almost the whole concert, it was all worth it. Who could sit still anyway?”
Born Agbor Osang Divine Enow, Maxy-Manorh is the 5th of 9 children whose career started in 2010 when he performed in almost every event and in big snack bars in Limbe , Buea and Douala and served as backup artist for big names like Salatiel and Mr Leo. He released his first album entitled ‘Hustle‘in 2016 with one of the songs paying tribute to the legendary Bebe Manga.
Maxi Manorh has agreed to speak to Cameroon Concord News Group. Stay with us and be the first to know!
By Oke Akombi Ayukepi Akap in Glasgow
15, December 2021
Africa records surge in Covid-19 cases, but fewer deaths than before, says WHO 0
The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday that the Omicron variant was spreading at an unprecedented rate and was likely already present in most countries. While Africa has recorded a massive rise in Covid cases over the past week, the number of deaths is lower than with previous waves, the health agency said.
The past week has seen an 83 percent jump in Covid-19 cases in Africa, with the increase in South Africa at 66 percent.
“We are cautiously optimistic that deaths and severe illness will remain low in the current wave,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa. “But slow vaccine roll-out in Africa means both will be much higher than they should be.”
Low vaccination rates risk providing a breeding ground for new variants, such as the rapidly spreading Omicron strain, which was first identified in South Africa, said the latest update from the WHO in Africa.
“We’ve known for quite some time now that new variants like Beta, Delta or Omicron could regularly emerge to spark new outbreaks globally, but vaccine-deprived regions like Africa will be especially vulnerable,” said Moeti.
At the current rate, WHO estimates it will take until May 2022 to have 40-percent vaccination coverage in Africa and until August 2024 to reach 70 percent, said the WHO-Africa statement.
“But we can still save many lives if we accelerate the pace of vaccination in early 2022,” Moeti said.
As of 13 December, only 20 African countries had vaccinated at least 10 percent of their population – the global target WHO had set for September 2021.
Only six countries have hit the year-end target of fully vaccinating 40 percent of their population, while only two – Mauritius and Seychelles – have reached 70 percent.
The latest surge across the continent was fuelled mainly by the Delta and Omicron variants.
Worldwide there have been more than 2,700 Omicron cases reported in about 60 countries, including 11 African countries.
Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate
The latest regional report came as the WHO reported that the Omicron variant was spreading at an unprecedented rate “probably in most countries”.
Since the new, heavily-mutated variant was first detected in southern Africa last month, it has been reported in 77 countries, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.
But, he said, “the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet.”
“Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant,” he said.
His comments came amid growing evidence that the new variant might also be better at skirting vaccine protections than previous ones, but could cause milder symptoms.
But Tedros cautioned against “dismissing Omicron as mild”.
“Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril,” he said.
“Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems.”
Not against boosters, against inequity
The WHO chief also voiced concern that many countries are rushing to provide booster vaccine doses in response to the spread of Omicron, in light of the persistent glaring inequity in vaccine access between wealthy and poorer countries.
“WHO is concerned that such programmes will repeat the Covid-19 vaccine hoarding” seen previously this year, he said.
He said there was not yet enough data to show a third dose is needed to effectively protect healthy adults against the variant, although he said that “as we move forward, boosters could play an important role”.
At the same time many vulnerable people in poorer countries have not yet received a single dose.
“Let me be very clear: WHO is not against boosters. We’re against inequity. Our main concern is to save lives everywhere,” Tedros said.
“It’s a question of prioritisation,” he said.
“The order matters. Giving boosters to groups at low risk of severe disease or death simply endangers the lives of those at high risk who are still waiting for their primary doses because of supply constraints.”
Source: AFP