What a thrilling World Cup 2014! Host country Brazil had a flying-colors opening match with Croatia when they thrashed their visitors 3 goals to 1. The peak of this cup tournament so far for Cameroon was when the roaring Lions failed to intimidate their opponents of Mexico and Cameroonians spent a bad evening. Their chance to fly high slipped through their hands and fell right into waiting palms of their opponent. I can imagine what that day must have looked like in Mexico after that dwell. Although Cameroon's night was dark, hearts started to brighten when they reflected on the crushing defeat that Spain suffered in the hands of The Netherlands. What happened on the pitch was a clear indication that the Netherlanders have never forgotten the 2010 World Cup when Spain spoiled what would have been their best day. This time around, they took their turn to laugh from jaw to jaw while Spain waded with difficulty through deep mud. Another match that I watched with a lot of interest was the Uruguay-Costa Rica match which defied all predictions especially after the first minutes of the encounter. Young jersey-number-9 wearer on the Costa Rican squad, Campbell mesmerized the globe with enchanting displays that set him on an irreversible flight to the stars in soccer.
Back to Cameroon we can only say bravo Cameroon and our Indomitable Lions!  You've lost a battle but can win the war since it was just the beginning. We do not know the winner of a race at the start but at the end.  Moreover, you lost with great honor. True that a defeat is a defeat; but there are defeats and there are defeats; some devastating; others not.
Let no one say that our chances are gone.  They are not gone. In foot ball, at world cup level, any team can defeat any team. Hence, no team should be seen as doomed to lose ahead of their match; neither should any team  be given victory before they have won it. Have we not seen how some teams that lost their first match in past tournamnts went on to win the World Cup? Our boys must go in with a vengeance and win their next two matches.  It should not matter who they are playing against.  It could be against a giant or a dwarf. What matters is how much they have and are ready to put in.  We want the cup in Cameroon.
And Cameroonians, on our part, our spirits must not sag any bit. Let's remain solidly behind our Lions and believe them to victory.

One hundred years is no short time.It is a long time, indeed. That is why the celebration of a centenary is usually a big event, especially if it is the centenary of evangelization. This is the big event that the Catholic world in the Archdiocese of Bamenda is bracing up to celebrate on Thursday, May 29, 2014 which is Ascension Day. In actual fact, what shall happen on Thursday shall be the peak event. The celebration has been going on for one year.  It started on the 28th of June 2013 in Fujua, Fundong, in Boyo Division where the Catholic Faith started in a very modest way. From such a humble beginning it grew from Parish to Parish just as from Fujua the centenary cross travelled from Parish to Parish to end in the Cathedral.
Catholic Christians in the Archdiocese of Bamenda  have enough reasons to celebrate. What the Catholic Church has done for the people of God in this locality is more than tongue can tell. We can say loudly and clearly that 'God is Great', for indeed, he is great.

What the Media are saying about Bobe Yong Francis

Dear friend, the mortal remains of the illustrious son of Boyo Division, son of the North West Region, son of Cameroon, Bobe Yong Francis is back in his home from the US awaiting his funeral ceremony Friday January 31st to Saturday February 1st. You may like to know what people are saying about this man. It's easy to know through the media. Here is a sample of what the media are saying about the icon, Bobe Young Francis. It is tribute to the fallen hero by the Catholic Radio, Radio Evangelium Bamenda. 

How do you measure greatness?  In terms of position in society, certificates acquired, or material possessions?  I think greatness should not be measured in terms of the Universities we have attended, the certificates we have obtained in our lifetime, the positions we hold or have held, but by the contribution that we have made to bring positive change to our world. It should be judged in terms of the lasting or enduring impact one has made in one's life time.

A great man William Hazlitt once said ‘No man is truly great if he is great only in his lifetime.  The test of greatness is the pages of history.’

Today, it is my pleasure and honor to pay tribute to a man who has printed his name in the pages of the history of our country and the Church.  This icon and outstanding visionary called hero and giant by many is a self-made man; who, from the most humble beginnings, carved out his way to the summit.  He began by trying to create his own opportunity out of nothing; but ended up creating opportunities not only for himself but for others; and when we talk of others we are talking of thousands, if not millions of people who are today blessed because of him.  His name goes down in history as a distinguished Cameroonian; an outstanding man; an illustrious personality.

This man is Bobe Yong Francis; bobe from the Boyo mountains; a Kom man; a veritable giant in the educational arena in English-speaking Cameroon; who, from the most humble beginnings, ended up creating educational opportunities to millions.  He goes down in history as the man who has made the greatest contribution to educational development in English-speaking Cameroon.

In the part of the country from where he hails, the people hail Dr. John Ngu Foncha, Solomon Tandeng Muna, Augustine Ngom Jua, Benard Nsokika Fonlon, Paul Verzekov all juggernauts of Blessed Memory.  Bobe Francis Yong joins the ranks of these rare men.

He spent his whole life creating and building schools. Thanks to his efforts, millions of young men and women, whose lives might have been wasted, had the opportunity to acquire an education and work gainfully in various sectors of life making a great contribution to nation-building; rising to prominent positions not only at home but all over the world.

It is hard to say if this distinguished Kom man who today makes every Kom man, and indeed, every Cameroonian proud, knew exactly where he was heading to when he made his humble beginnings almost half a century ago in the educational arena. What we know and feel proud of him for, is that although deprived by financial constraints of the opportunity of acquiring a formal general secondary education, he never allowed himself to wallow in self-pity and resignation. He opted for what was affordable: becoming an office clerk. It is easy to imagine how he must have admired and envied his more fortunate mates who gained admission into prestigious secondary schools in those days! However, as it turned out to be, God had a better plan for him. He was destined for greatness; to teach his fellow compatriots that ‘many roads lead to Rome’; that what matters in life is not where we are, but what we do where we are.

Indeed, Mr. Yong’s decision to go to a typing school and take up a career in that field was forced by circumstances; but it turned out to be the wisest decision of his life. After his studies, he gained a Government job as a clerk.  Then he had the wonderful vision of offering to other less favored children the same opportunity that he had offered to himself. Thus, he created a Typing Institute. As God would have it, it did not take long for him to realize he was onto a big dream. There was an influx of young boys and girls into his institute. Soon, the number of students was overwhelming; and he moved a step higher by making it a commercial college. Even here, the numbers were more than tongue could tell. He created similar colleges in Bambui and in his home village, Anyajua. The story, many know, is a wonderful success story.

Mr. Yong did not end at secondary level. He got into higher education and owned the leading polytechnic in English-speaking Cameroon-National Polytechnic Bambui, where thousands of young people from Cameroon and abroad have a wonderful opportunity, in a unique setting, to acquire sound, usable, technical education. I feel proud to say I was present at the very start of this great endeavor being the pioneer Head of the Mass Communication department and leading the team that drew up the programs which are being used today in that department.

By and large, Mr. Francis Yong has made an immeasurable contribution to the educational sector in Cameroon; and indeed, in the development of Cameroon. He knew the man-power needs of the nation; and went for the kind of education that he knew would satisfy those needs. That explains why he also created a school for the training of medical staff to contribute to close the gap in that sector. And of course, we cannot leave out the Sports Academy whose fruits we all have already begun to enjoy and shall enjoy in the weeks and months ahead, perhaps even years.

There is truly no way we can talk of education in Cameroon today without the name Francis Yong featuring high on the agenda. Millions of young people have been able to find a stand in life because they had the low-cost opportunity to acquire an education in one of his schools - The Yong Educational Establishments.

This man was a genius. There are many Cameroonians who have gone to the best universities at home and abroad specializing in education and have excellent qualifications in that field; but are still to make a contribution equal to that of Mr. Yong in the development of education in Cameroon.  His vision, courage, hard work, faith, persistence and perseverance have carved out a unique place for him in the history of Cameroon.  His footprints are already on the sands of time.

Pa Yong Francis was a Catholic Christian par excellence; and proud to be one. In the CMA, the Catholic Men’s Association, Pa Yong was special. We can say the Mankon Deanery in general and Mankon Parish in particular benefitted the most from his largesse. Although Pa Yong had his own radio, he was a great supporter of the Catholic Radio, Radio Evangelium Bamenda, probably because he was proud to be a Catholic; and supported everything Catholic. He and his wife Rosaline, we are told, were fervent listeners of Radio Evangelium Bamenda.

About a year ago, the Catholic Women’s Association in the Archdiocese of Bamenda decided to publicly honor this great personality for his achievements and for his human and spiritual qualities.  The CWA said they followed with admiration his support for the Church; his commitment in the Catholic Men’s Association; and his generosity to others.  I happened to have been the fortunate person chosen by the CWA to profile this icon.

Pa Yong Francis seems to have given to the world more than what he got from the world. God blessed him and through him God has blessed many. He teaches us many lessons. From humble beginnings we can rise to great heights. Being at the summit should be no barrier to our faith. We can leave this world greater than we found it. We can leave our footprints on the sand of times.

Pa yong’s life touched many in his community, in his hometown, in his Small Christian community, in his Parish, in his Archdiocese, in his country and why not in the world? It touched the rich and the poor; those up and those down.  It touched intellectuals and non intellectuals; people in the sports world; and people everywhere.  It touched his fellow men in and out of the CMA.  It touched women who will be out in great numbers to bid him farewell.  It touched priests and Bishops.  Did it touch you? If it did, don’t keep it to yourself.  Give him one more red feather by letting the world know that he touched you.  Say it loudly and clearly. It will serve as a source of inspiration to others to emulate him.

Let us pray for this man, Bobe Francis Yong, who made a difference to many in many ways. Let us thank God for his life and family. Let us pray that God may keep him well at His side in heaven and enable him to intercede for us; that the family pa has left behind may take his departure with courage and faith; that God may bless them and grant them the grace to live in love, peace and harmony; and continue the great work which pa did for humanity and in the Lord's vineyard.  This is our prayer through Christ our Lord, amen. I am Afanwi Ngobesing Suh Romanus

Let's jointly celebrate a great life

                                         Dear friends, can you remember the second success story I shared on this blog? 
                                                                       It was about Cameroon's giant educationist,
                                                                         Bobe Francis Yong.

 On the 24th of December 2013, I again talked about him describing him as a genius. Can you imagine that this great hero is no more! He left this world during the last days of 2013. Yes, he did not live as long as we would have liked; but he accomplished his mission. Please, let us come together through this world forum, the net and celebrate PaYong's life! I consider him not only the greatest educationist in my part of the country but Cameroon's greatest educationist. Millions of people are great today because he offered them the opportunity to have an education. His life was a true success story.  Bravo Bobe Francis Yong.  Kom land from where you hail is proud of you.  The North-west, your region of your country is proud of you.   Cameroon, your country is proud of you. Those you impacted around the world and their friends are proud of you.