BE THE JUDGE AFTER READING THE SECTIONS THAT FOLLOW

NOMA is employing Manyu people to look at their old problems from a new perspective. NOMA is not an individual, it is not a group of people, it is an ideology of development and an organizational philosophy. It is a system of organizing and decision-making. NOMA is a paradigm driven by an ideology. This ideology is what drive the structures of NOMA and will define its products. NOMA's development ideology is easily identified in the following perspectives and principles that drive the NOMA systems: Apolitical, Democratic principles, Decentralized Power-Centers, Grass-Roots Ownership, Freedom of Association, Collaborative Ventures, Sustainable Development, Constant Review for new improvement opportunities including paradigm shifts.

The NOMA development ideology is founded on the premise that sustainable development can only occur when the fundamental overall developmental factors in a region are addressed and when individual development projects can pay for themselves or do not need continued resource investment from the sponsors. Based on the systems approach, NOMA would tend to focus on the forest rather than one small tree at a time and would help every tree to grow by itself, in its own way. For the system to be sustained, everyone player would have to develop their own way of contributing to that effort. Different people, groups, governments, chiefdoms etc. will bring their strengths in material resources and technical expertise regionally necessary to drive development for all. Remember, the whole that emerges would be stronger than the sum of the parts. For this NOMA’s DEVELOPMENT IDEOLOGY to be ultimately realized, the following components must be present:

Apolitical:
NOMA will not interfere with the political process or side with one political party over the other. NOMA will however, work with any political organization and any political figure to advance Manyu's development. Even as NOMA remains apolitical, the organization will remain unrelenting and unapologetic, in its support of democratic principles. Sustainable development can only occur when there is democracy and economic self-determination.

Democratic principles:
The pursuit of democratic principles is indeed enshrined in NOMA's constitution. NOMA's ideology of sustainable development relies on an empowered community and empowered processes. A culture of democracy and the rule of law based on the will of its members is the cornerstone of the effort to realize sustainable development.

Decentralized power-centers:

NOMA does not have a strong central authority. This is because a dominant central authority might easily silent innovation and difference. Because of the need for renewal and empowerment of people and processes, the principle of the balance of power drives NOMA'S decentralized power relationships. NOMA has four basic power centers and decision making points with unique and complementary roles: The General Assembly that meets once a year, the Board of Directors elected by Chapters, an Administrative Council elected by members every two years, and Chapters which hold the most influence on the organization. These bodies derive their powers from the people's constitution and they act as a balance on each other.

Grass-roots ownership:
The grass-roots orientation of NOMA is seen in the prominence of chapters in the organization. Chapters elect the Board of Directors and chapters can replace members at any time. The Board is the most influential policy making body secondary only to the general assembly. The Board approves the budget and defines the policy direction. Since the members are from chapters, issues at the chapter-level quickly become national issues through the Board members who are supposed to carry out the will of the chapter members.

Freedom of Association:
Nomans are free to associate with any other organization. Nomans revere the freedom of association. NOMA shall make no law to abridge the freedom of Assembly. NOMA ties the freedom of Association to the freedom and opportunity of innovation.

Collaborative ventures:
NOMA will work with all groups, all individuals, all governments, and all regional associations to further the overall development of Manyu Division.

Sustainable Development:
Central to NOMA's ideology is the sustainability of all development efforts. Therefore, any project implemented must pass the test of sustainability. The following questions must be answered: Will the Project be there after NOMA is done with it? Will the beneficiaries be empowered to continue the system through their own independent efforts, in other words, did the system empower them enough so as to wean them from dependency? Is the project/system self-supporting? Constant review of the status of development , existing tools, and potential for new tools in order to ensure perennial renewal:

NOMA will continuously review the state of Manyu's development , the developmental strategies being practiced, resources available, potential new resources, new horizons etc. The commitment to continuous renewal and the fierce protection of members' rights of Association will provide the engine necessary to move NOMA closer to its vision of being " A Leader in entrepreneurial Development in Manyu." I wish you all prosperity in Manyu.

Revised September, 2008
Dr. Etta Mathias. Egbe, Administrative Officer

 

 

Members' Columns:

Dear Brothers and Sisters:
As we look back in the almost two years that our magical NOMA phenomenon has been in existence we must smile. NOMA has infected the Manyu community with the Development bug. Like the calvanist movement, “those who came to scoff remained to pray."

Part of NOMA's vision to be a leader of Manyu development includes the development of an entrepreneurial and development psyche in the Manyu community. In the days, months, and years running up to the founding of NOMA , Nomaism (meaning planning, decentered development, paradigm shift, sustainable development, missions, visions, state of focus) was a dirty word. Those who dared to advance this ideology were cursed and branded idle theorist who must be ignored.

Today every Manyu organization in the US including village and sectional groups are focused on development. We have even seen cultural groups redefining themselves as development organizations.

I thought I was in my second coming when a few months ago my own mentor Mr. ArreyMbi challenged the new Manyu leadership in Cameroon to produce their plan. I was indeed proud because my teacher allowed us to teach him. He was of course roundly condemned by the then Chairperson of MECA Yaounde for talking about plans. That was too much Nomaism for the then bulwark of the old order to handle.

I am happy to remind/inform you that the former Chair of our highly esteemed cultural group is now heading a development organization for Mamfe central. He just got infected by the NOMA bug. By the way he seems to be ahead of some reactionary groups in the US Manyu community. He is still a member of MECA while heading the development group. That indeed is the NOMA way. Freedom of association.

So, many who came to scoff are now staying to pray as the crusade moves on.

MANYU DEVELOPMENT ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE. And NOMA WILL BE A LEADER.