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