Bernard Fonlon

Originally published in L'effort camerounais

Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon, of Blessed memory, has been honoured following his extraordinary contributions to culture, politics, religion, literature and philosophy, in tribute paid recently on the occasion of the 4th International Day of Philosophy that held at Bilingual Grammar School in Buea, under the distinguished patronage of the Minister of Secondary Education, Louis Bapes Bapes, under the theme, "Philosophy and Ethics".

By TANIFORM Peter Ngwa

Paper presented on the occasion of the celebration of the 19th anniversary of the death of Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon.

When on that fateful day August 26th 1986, God closed the page of the earthly walk for Cameroon’s illustrious son, Africa’s Socrates, the model and inspirer of his time, Dr. Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon, many thought that was the end of a great and genuine intellectual. Like Jesus’ two disciples on their way to Emmaus just after his death, despairing of what would become of them and what had become of their great teacher (Luke 24:13-35), so too were the sentiments during and after the funeral of Prof. Fonlon, among his family members, closest friends, followers and countrymen.

Opening remarks by His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, Archbishop of Douala, on the occasion of the celebration of the 19th anniversary of the death of Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon.

Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen:

When the organizers of this evening asked me to chair this occasion, I did not hesitate at all to say: “Yes, I will be there with you!” Why? Because this event brings to mind many memories of a truly great Cameroonian, a truly great statesman, a truly great Christian, in short, a truly great human being: Dr. Bernard Nsokika Fonlon.

By Bate Besong
Paper Read During The Commemoration Of The 19th Anniversary Of The Passing Away Of Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon - Djeuga Palace Hotel, Yaounde,24th November 2005.

WILLIAM FULBRIGHT has argued that literary agitation, like practical political instigation, which edges on dissent or rebellion is “an act of faith”. Accordingly, and, as I have already shown elsewhere, although Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon (a man who was so exceptionally handsome), was, an intellectual pillar of fire; a Prometheus among his peers; indeed, something of a twentieth century Aristotle, the Greek philosopher and classical biologist, his neo-classical treatise on literary composition have, neither, received accolades nor endorsement from me.

By Kini Nsom

His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, Archbishop of Douala, has said late Prof. Bernard Fonlon was a humble and disciplined man, worthy of being a saint.The Cardinal was speaking at the Yaounde Djeuga Palace Hotel, November 24, during commemorations marking 19 years since the death of the celebrated Professor.

The Cameroon Youths and Students Forum for Peace (CAMYOSFOP) in collaboration with Airseal International Cameroon are organising the Commemoration of the 19th Anniversary of the passing away of the Legendary Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon and the Celebration of his Legacy, on Thursday 24th November 2005, as from 7pm prompt, at the conference hall of Djeuga Palace Hotel.

The event, which shall be chaired by His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, include the following high lights:

• Unveiling and exhibition of paintings on Fonlon
• Testimony presentation on the Legacy of Fonlon
• Launching of Audio CDs on testimonies on the Legacy of Fonlon by his contemporaries
• Poetry dramatisation and choral singing
• Award of prizes to the best literary works submitted for the Fonlon literary competition launched by CAMYOSFOP.

On behalf of:
CAMYOSFOP & Airseal International-Cameroon
NGALIM Eugine Nyuydine

In a recent Interview granted the Cameroonian Catholic Bi-Monthly, L'Effort Camerounais , His Grace Archbishop Paul Verdzekov of Bamenda, talked, among other things, about his early days in the priesthood and the impact that Bernard Fonlon had on his life. Excerpts:

Boniface Ndemping Wewe ( Ngonyama Ka Brooklyn )

Hamba Kahle (Farewell) Shufai Nto Drev !

As a primary school pupil in the former West Cameroon and precisely at St.Joseph's Catholic Boy's School Bamenda in the early 1970's, my teacher introduced the concept of Ph.D to us. He further stressed that Dr. Bernard Fonlon was one of the first Cameroonians to obtain one. The concept stuck and I nursed ambitions or fantasized about doctorate degrees!

There is a famous expression- "a goat grazes where it has been tethered". Being in government gives certain corrupt officials the opportunity to make money by hook or crook before it is too late. They serve themselves and not their people or country!

The late Marshall Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Nbgendu Waza Banga- of Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) even advised his cabinet ministers to loot treasury. He, however, cautioned them not to steal too much and to do it with caution and not to be caught!

There are still people of good conscience around:-

The former Minister of Public Health and Transport in Cameroon, the late Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon, was once asked why he did not loot the treasury and Build houses with ill-gotten gains like his cabinet colleagus. His answer was, 'They build houses, and I build people.' 'Dodere, Movere, Placere'

Culled from the book by Boniface Ndemping Wewe: The Joys of African Sex, Jokes , Courtesies and Idiosyncrasies © 2004

Book Review by Martin Jumbam

Daniel Noni Lantum, ed. Dr. Bernard Nsokika Fonlon (1924-1986) is now a legend: Funeral Addresses, Tributes and Eulogies , Kumbo Town: Nso History Society Publication No 3, May 1988, pp. xii + 107. No price given.

Revised and reproduced from Cameroon Tribune, May 1989.

Three years ago come next August 26, Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon died suddenly in Ottawa, Canada. His death came at a particularly painful moment for our country that was still reeling from the blows of the Lake Nyos disaster, that tragedy that was to pin Cameroon in the headlines of world news for years to come, bequeathing to us a notoriety we would only have been too happy to do without.

By Martin Jumbam

Revised and reproduced from Cameroon Life , Vol. II, N ° 7, October 1992, pp.41-43 where it was originally published under the title "Bernard Nsokika Fonlon: Six Years After"

It's a rainy and soggy morning in the city of Douala. The day is the 26th; the month is August; the year is 1992. For several days now, endless garlands of words have been winding their way through my mind as I reflect on a fitting tribute to pay my Master, the Yaounde University Professor Emeritus , Doctor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon, of glorious memory. But, somehow those words have failed to deflower the virgin sheet of paper before me.