NEW VICE CHANCELLOR OUTLINES BLUEPRINT

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

 

On the 29^th of July this year, Dr. Nalova Lyonga, until then Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Teaching and TICs at the University of Buea, was appointed Vice Chancellor of that University through a decree signed by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.

One of the first steps she took was to lay out her vision for the university. She did so in an exclusive interview granted to The Post newspaper.

Tikum Mbah Azonga went through the interview and put together this report.

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If one were to sum up the interview in one phrase, it would be that Dr. Nalova Lyonga has pledged to put the University of Buea back on the map.

One priority area is that of the BMP, or Bachelor`s, Master`s, PhD programme which is part of the new dispensation of higher education awards already applicable in European Universities. The system relates training directly to the job market whether in terms of job obtainment or job creation. Such a setup makes education more relevant, more productive and more flexible. The Vice Chancellor says henceforth, the University of Buea will closely look at the nature of teaching in the new era.

Technology, she says, must be expanded: “With technology, it will help you to reduce some of the problems of human resources”. According to her, this decongestion would also help to make transcripts available to graduates quicker and more satisfactorily.

To the vexatious problem of corruption which The Post termed, “rife at the University of Buea”, Dr Nalova Lyonga said: “An institution runs on rules and regulations. We will look at the issues and ask people what is the right way. Everybody should know what the right way is. Based on that, we`re going to go by the rules and regulations”.

Concerning claims by the Students` Union, UBSU, the Vice Chancellor said , “students need to express what they want and we are going to dialogue and find solutions to the problems”. Whatever is the case, the Vice Chancellor said, students should prioritize their work, for that is the principal reason for their being at university.

With reference to the teaching staff trade union, SYNES which had frequently been at daggers drawn with the university administration, the Vice Chancellor affirmed that SYNES members are teachers like everyone else. As such, Union members have the same problems as all others. The solution, she said, lies in sitting together and tackling the problems together.

On the whole, the Vice Chancellor held that she would redynamize the University of Buea, not all alone, but with the support of everyone. That is when, she says, the University of Buea will not only really and truly be “the place to be”, but will also find its rightful place on the world map.

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This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio, Ngomgham-Bamenda on Friday the 13^th of July 2012. The Radio is an offshoot of the Fomunyoh Foundation.

SUMMIT MAGAZINE HOISTS BATE BESONG TO THE SUMMIT

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

 

Recently, the University of Buea served as the venue for a twin-event that marked the fifth anniversary of Summit Magazine and a memorial service in honour of the late poet and playwright, Bate Besong. This took place qt the University’s Amphi 750 in the presence of and under the patronage of the newly installed Vice Chancellor of the university, Dr Nalova Lyonga:

 

As a parallel event, the magazine launched a special edition of its publication which it also devoted to the internationally acclaimed literary icon.

 

Tikum Mbah Azonga leafed through the magazine and sent the following report from Buea.

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Long before the event, Summit Magazine had set the tone for the special edition by producing a beautiful four-page invitation card which it then sent out to invitees. On the cover of the card is a cheerful and exuberant Bate Besong, or “BB”, as he was fondly called, clutching a file whose contents we the onlookers may never know.

The back cover of the invitation card carries four covers of previous editions of the magazine, one featuring the retired Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), the Rt. Rev. Nyansako-Ni-Nku over whom is the headline, “My place is reserved in heaven”. Another cover portrays the late renowned Professor of Medicine, Victor Anomah Ngu with the caption, “Vanhivax has cured AIDS patients”. The third shows Social Democratic Front (SDF) Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi relaxed in jeans, sporting a cowboy hat and carrying a bunch of plantains on his left shoulder as he walks. The headline on him reads, “I am also a farmer”.

The special edition is a 48-page publication whose main cover page story is understandably: “Remember Bate Besong: Five years after, he lives on”. On the cover, Bate Besong is seen flanked to the bottom by Professor Ndiva Kofele Kale whom the magazine describes as “Marafa`s lawyer”. The latter is of course, the former Territorial Administration Minister who was previously and for years Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic. Marafa, it will be recalled, is one of several cabinet ministers today awaiting trial in jail on charges of corruption.

At the top right hand corner of the cover is an irresistible photograph of the charming Francisca Biaka who is said to be taking over command of the St. Veronica Medical Centre in Buea. Two other smaller cover stories capture the two newly appointed bosses of the Douala Port Authority, the Board Chairman Shey Jones Yembe, and the General Manager Etoundi Oyono. Inside the magazine, the “Young Celebrities” page features Ernest Sumelong who is Editor of the Buea-based The Post newspaper on the one hand and on the other hand, Derica Nkuh Nfor, Service Head for the Budget at the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in Yaounde.

Of course, the bulk of the publication examines Bate Besong from various angles including his being a legend as portrayed in the foreword by Veteran Journalist Peter Esoka. Summit Magazine`s Publisher Kange Williams Wasaloko recounts his encounters with Bate Besong whom he describes as “the tiger that never bites”. The late poet and dramatist`s comrade-in-arms, Dr. Babila Mutia, who is also a writer and lecturer at the Higher Teacher`s Training College (ENS) in Yaounde, pens down his views of Bate Besong from the angle of his ideas, vision and life. Other contributors include Bole Butake, professor of literature and drama, Literary giant Canute Tangwa, as well as Francis Wache who is Executive Editor of The Post newspaper and who acted as moderator during the ceremony. Also participating were the journalists Douglas Achinagle and Azore Opio, as well as U.S.-based University don Dr. Joyce Ashuntangtang.

Anyone who picks up the special edition can not fail to be moved by the lengthy interview the wife of the late Bate Besong, Christina, gives the publication. In it, she talks at length about B.B. the man, the critic, the husband, the father, the lover and man of her dreams. She, of course, recalls the moment she learned of her husband`s death.

Summit Magazine announces that it will take a break from July to September of this year, to bounce back in October with another special edition, this time on Cameroon`s forthcoming reunification celebration.

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This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio, Ngomgham-Bamenda on Monday the 9^th of July 2012. The Radio is an offshoot of the Fomunyoh Foundation.

SUMMIT MAGAZINE HOISTS BATE BESONG TO THE SUMMIT

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

 

Recently, the University of Buea served as the venue for a twin-event that marked the fifth anniversary of Summit Magazine and a memorial service in honour of the late poet and playwright, Bate Besong.

 

As a parallel event, the magazine launched a special edition of its publication which it also devoted to the internationally acclaimed literary icon.

 

Tikum Mbah Azonga leafed through the magazine and sent the following report from Buea.

_________________________________________________________________

 

Long before the event, Summit Magazine had set the tone for the special edition by producing a beautiful four-page invitation card which it then sent out to invitees. On the cover of the card is a cheerful and exuberant Bate Besong, or “BB”, as he was fondly called, clutching a file whose contents we the onlookers may never know.

The back cover of the invitation card carries four covers of previous editions of the magazine, one featuring the retired Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), the Rt. Rev. Nyansako-Ni-Nku over whom is the headline, “My place is reserved in heaven”. Another cover portrays the late renowned Professor of Medicine, Victor Anomah Ngu with the caption, “Vanhivax has cured AIDS patients”. The third shows Social Democratic Front (SDF) Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi relaxed in jeans, sporting a cowboy hat and carrying a bunch of plantains on his left shoulder as he walks. The headline on him reads, “I am also a farmer”.

The special edition is a 48-page publication whose main cover page story is understandably: “Remember Bate Besong: Five years after, he lives on”. On the cover, Bate Besong is seen flanked to the bottom by Professor Ndiva Kofele Kale whom the magazine describes as “Marafa`s lawyer”. The latter is of course, the former Territorial Administration Minister who was previously and for years Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic. Marafa, it will be recalled, is one of several cabinet ministers today awaiting trial in jail on charges of corruption.

At the top right hand corner of the cover is an irresistible photograph of the charming Francisca Biaka who is said to be taking over command of the St. Veronica Medical Centre in Buea. Two other smaller cover stories capture the two newly appointed bosses of the Douala Port Authority, the Board Chairman Shey Jones Yembe, and the General Manager Etoundi Oyono. Inside the magazine, the “Young Celebrities” page features Ernest Sumelong who is Editor of the Buea-based The Post newspaper on the one hand and on the other hand, Derica Nkuh Nfor, Service Head for the Budget at the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in Yaounde.

Of course, the bulk of the publication examines Bate Besong from various angles including his being a legend as portrayed in the foreword by Veteran Journalist Peter Esoka. Summit Magazine`s Publisher Kange Williams Wasaloko recounts his encounters with Bate Besong whom he describes as “the tiger that never bites”. The late poet and dramatist`s comrade-in-arms, Dr. Babila Mutia, who is also a writer and lecturer at the Higher Teacher`s Training College (ENS) in Yaounde, pens down his views of Bate Besong from the angle of his ideas, vision and life. Other contributors include Bole Butake, professor of literature and drama, Literary giant Canute Tangwa, as well as Francis Wache who is Executive Editor of The Post newspaper and who acted as moderator during the ceremony. Also participating were the journalists Douglas Achinagle and Azore Opio, as well as U.S.-based University don Dr. Joyce Ashuntangtang.

Anyone who picks up the special edition can not fail to be moved by the lengthy interview the wife of the late Bate Besong, Christina, gives the publication. In it, she talks at length about B.B. the man, the critic, the husband, the father, the lover and man of her dreams. She, of course, recalls the moment she learned of her husband`s death.

Summit Magazine announces that it will take a break from July to September of this year, to bounce back in October with another special edition, this time on Cameroon`s forthcoming reunification celebration.

_________________________________________________________________

This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio, Ngomgham-Bamenda on Monday the 9^th of July 2012. The Radio is an offshoot of the Fomunyoh Foundation.

 

 

SUMMIT MAGAZINE HONOURS BATE BESONG

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

The Yaounde-based international news publication, SUMMIT MAGAZINE, has just celebrated its fifth anniversary. The birthday was marked by a memorial conference devoted to the late poet and dramatist, Bate Besong.

The jamboree was held at the University of Buea`s sumptuous Amphi 750, under the patronage and in the presence of the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Nalova Lyonga.

Tikum Mbah Azonga sat through the ceremony and put together this report.

______________________________________________

Although Bate Besong may be dead, he lives yet again. This was the overriding message that came across the twin celebration of Summit Magazine and the memorial conference held at the university in honour of Dr. Bate Besong.

The show was a major crowd puller bringing together personalities such as Bole Butake, professor of Literature and Drama and to boot, a playwright in his own right. Also present were Francis Wache, Executive Editor of The Post newspaper who served as moderator, Rumpi Project boss Bisong Ntui Ogork who was the chief launcher, the former parliamentarian for Santa and Tubah, Tasi Ntang Lucas, and veteran journalist Peter Esoka. Also in attendance were Dr Rose Jua who is Dean of the Faculty of Arts of theUniversity ofBuea, and the former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church inCameroon, the Rt. Rev, Nyansako-ni-Nku.

One high point of the bonanza was the award ceremony in which Summit Magazine Publisher Kange Williams Wasaloko recognized some personalities for services rendered to the community.

The aspect that stole the show the most was the screening of an interview which Bate Besong accorded CRTV`s production and programmes Manager, Robert Ekukole, incidentally, shortly before the distinguished poet and playwright perished in a car crash along the Douala-Yaounde road as he returned from a literary event in Buea. As fate would have it he died alongside two long time friends and associates: Kwasen Gwanngwa`a, a renowned television producer at the time working for CRTV Yaounde, and Dr Hilarius Ambe, an upcoming dramatist who was widely regarded as Bate Besong`s “professional son”. Ambe was a university lecturer.

The screening of the Bate Besong interview at some point held the audience spellbound and at others, it caught the audience reeling with laughter. After all, that was “BB”, as Bate Besong was fondly called, true to form: firebrand, critique, trouble rouser, agitator, hothead and stirrer. But he was also eloquent, intelligent, knowledgeable, uncompromising, hardnosed and categorical.

Funds were raised generously with assurances from the publisher of Summit magazine that the Bate Besong family would benefit from them. The late poet and playwright’s wife, Christina and children as well as parents were there to see and hear it all for themselves.

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This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio, Ngomgham-Bamenda on Monday the 9^th of July 2012. The Radio is an offshoot of the Fomunyoh Foundation.

BUEA AFTER THE NEW VICE CHANCELLOR`S INSTALLATION

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

Recently, Dr. Nalova Lyonga, Associate Professor, was installed in her functions as Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea. She took over from Prof. Vincent P.K. Titanji who had been in the post for some six years.

Tikum Mbah Azonga was in Buea after the installation and put together this eyewitness account which captures the prevailing mood at the university in particular and the city of Buea in general.

After the putting in place of Professor Nalova Lyonga as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, the dawn of a new ear now embraces and envelopes this pioneer Anglo-Saxon Cameroonian University.

On campus, it was business as usual as students and staff went about their daily activities. At the Vice Chancellor`s office, the mood was one of seriousness and serenity. On the surface there were no visible signs of a change in attitude or approach. However, when asked, both staff and students poured out their feelings. On the whole, staff see the new boss as one who is likely to give them some level of satisfaction, considering that she did so largely when she was still Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Teaching and TIC. For students, especially members of the students` Union, UBSU, Nalova Lyonga`s appointment is a veritable opportunity for dialogue and progress. Within the wider context of Buea specifically and Fako Division generally, the appointment is viewed as a welcomed balm to the pain afflicted when Former Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni who comes from the Division was arrested by state authorities and incarcerated, it appears,  on charges of corruption.

Obviously, one strong point Nalova Lyonga brings to her new post is what is widely regarded as her ruthlessly efficient and no nonsense approach to work. Those close to her say she is a leader who would not sacrifice her principles, even for a kingdom.

Even so, the challenges the new Vice Chancellor faces are daunting. She surely inherits a university with an image problem caused by frequent staff and student protests as well as scandals here and there. Administrative bottlenecks and the wanton settling of scores on the part of staff members have only worsened the situation.

Now that Professor Nalova Lyonga who is described as the right person in the right place is in command, she will have to deploy all the assets at her disposal to turn the situation around.

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This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio, Ngomgham, Bamenda on the 6^th of July 2012. The Radio is an offshoot of the Fomunyoh Foundation.