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Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh is Cameroon's 2015 Man of the
Year
March 8, 2016
The President of The Fomunyoh Foundation was voted by The Guardian Post
Achievement Award Jury "For demonstrating unmatched and never-seen
indiscriminate philanthropy to the underprivileged in Cameroon." The award
ceremony took place at the Buea Mountain Hotel on Friday March 4,
2015
Below is the speech presented by Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh at the
occasion.
The Lord Mayor of Buea, and Other Elected Officials,
Their Royal Highnesses, Traditional leaders here present or represented,
Batonnier Emeritus of the Cameroon Bar Association, Barrister Ben Muna,
Other dignitaries here present,
Dear friends of the media,
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen;
I am extremely pleased to be here today, as the recipient of the "2015 Man of the
Year" Award launched by the highly reputable Guardian Post Newspaper, and now in
its second decade of existence. I am deeply honoured by this exceptional
recognition and truly humbled that the jury arrived at its decision unanimously.
I am also honoured reading through the pedigree of previous recipients — a
current Head of State, Sultans and Fons, Governors and Ambassadors — and
therefore feel very fortunate to be among the selected few onto whom this
distinction has been bestowed.
I very much want to thank members of the jury for their wisdom in discerning
where some may see and not perceive. I want to thank profusely, and from the
bottom of my heart, the Guardian Post for its audacity in launching this award
which, more than any immediate material benefits, raises the bar on all
recipients who should strive to be better citizens, and positive and powerful
contributors to a better humanity. Some of you may remember that the late John
Fitzgerald Kennedy, prior to becoming president to the United States of America,
wrote a book on "Profiles in Courage" in which he recognized the powerful impact
of people that stood up for what was right and just even when other immediate
pressures and short term gains stood in their path. There is no doubt in my mind
that the Guardian Post in giving me today's award, stands high on that pedestal;
because no one can argue that the trends of the day seem to reward not the
thoughtfulness, vision and humanistic ability to be each other's keeper, but
rather the act of positioning one's self for some immediate and short term
gains, no matter the likely devastating consequences for our country and its
future. I thank you for your forthrightness and your professionalism; as well as
your big efforts towards a more perfect and accessible media in our beloved
country. Your social engagement help shine the spotlight on what works and what
needs to be changed or improved upon in our society, hence raising the bar of
good conduct and visionary leadership on all of us, be it at the national,
regional and local levels or even internationally.
BUEA AS HISTORIC TOWN
I am exceptionally touched that you decided to organize this year's award
ceremony in the historic city of Buea. No right minded Cameroonian can ignore
the unique position that Buea occupies, and ever will occupy in the life story
of this country and its millions of inhabitants. From the pre-modern times of
the so-called "discovery of Africa" through the German era and the years of
being a protectorate, through reunification and today's Cameroon; Buea has, and
ever will remain a corner stone of our national edifice. It is also the rock
upon which Cameroon must build its resilience and fortitude going forward. The
symbolism cannot be lost on anyone. And the word must go forth loud and clear
from a top Mount Cameroon to all Cameroonians that this 'Son of the soil' in
receiving this award and the relevant attributes this day, is acutely aware that
the bar is being raised; just as he is aware of the high expectations of his
fellow compatriots that he does more for our dear fatherland. And make no
mistake, I can say here today, unequivocally to my 22 million fellow
compatriots, that I will always strive to meet and surpass or exceed their
expectations.
Yes, having a Harvard University degree is great; having a PH.D is intellectually
stimulating. Helping other African countries strengthen their democratic
governance is admirable and rewarding for the pan-Africanist that I am. But
nothing, none of that is as fulfilling as being able to serve your own people
and being able give back abundantly to your community. That is why this
particular award touches a special place in my heart. That is why I am also very
proud that in the delegation that accompanied me to receive this award are
brothers and sisters from all 10 (ten) regions of our country, travelling by
air, by train and by road to be here to bear witness to this historic event. I
thank them profusely and acknowledge their support and encouragement as well as
that of the staff of the Fomunyoh Foundation, without which none of the
humanitarian actions and philanthropic deeds of the Foundation would have
happened.
TRIBUTE TO THE ARMED FORCES
We also are having these celebrations of leadership, humanitarianism, and
philanthropy at a pretty tough time for our country as we fight extremists
jihadists of Boko Haram in the Far-Northern region. Boko Haram is destroying the
lives and livelihoods of our fellow country men and women, innocent civilians,
soldiers and our children alike. In this fight against Boko Haram that ought to
be the centrality of our political and governance focus, our soldiers, the
members of the Armed Force (military & Gendarmerie) and the police and other
relevant services, including citizen protection committees are demonstrating
their valour and bravery and professionalism on a daily basis. These brothers
and sisters in uniform are the ultimate leaders and philanthropists of our time;
because, without any hesitation, they put their lives on the line, and some have
paid the ultimate price, so the rest of us can live and enjoy our livelihood. It
is truly to them that Awards like this should be dedicated, and it is to them
that I feel I hold this award in proxy. In the days ahead, I will be asking my
lawyers to study the feasibility of creating a special scholarship fund that can
provide additional educational, mentoring and financial assistance to those
children of school age whose principal bread winner (dad or mom) is one of our
fallen heroes in the fight against Boko Haram. The Fomunyoh Foundation is very
open to collaborating with other entities or individuals that are engaged in a
similar endeavour. We must reassure these unexpected orphans and widows that we
are a grateful nation and will never forget.
Please let us now observe one minute of silence as we remember all the victims of
Boko Hara, and in honour of our brave men and women who have fallen while
protecting our fatherland.
WOMEN AS PACESETTERS
We also are holding this ceremony this March 4th, 2016, four days to March 8th,
2016, the International Women's day, and I can tell you that there aren't as
many philanthropists out there around the world than you would find among our
mothers and grandmothers, our sisters, daughters, nieces, aunts and cousins. As
I have criss-crossed various parts of our country, I have met incredible women
with wonderful uplifting experiences of philanthropy, goodness, kindness and
humanity to share.
I still remember very fondly now late Mrs Marie France, a grandmother who first
trained as a reverend sister and later left sisterhood to run an orphanage for
close to 100 (one hundred) children in Bertoua, in the East region. Despite her
failing health, Marie France obtained permission from her doctors in Yaoundé to
leave her sick bed to host me in her home with those beautiful children last
November and to share with me her life story and commitment to humanity through
those children. Sadly, Mrs. Marie France passed away early this year.
I think of Dr. Djibrilla Fatima Sidiki, who is based in Maroua in the Far North
region and who, rather than seek to sit behind an office desk like some PH.Ds,
is actually out and about at the grassroots, organizing women in rural areas
across the Grand North and giving them new skills and opportunities to improve
their lives.
I think of Commy Mussa, a young journalist and social activist based in Bamenda,
who, rather than stick solely to her pen, is working to build the capacity of
women local councillors in Nkambe, Donga Mantung Division of the North West
Region.
I see in action, Mrs Leocadia Mandeng, a single mom from the Ocean Division of
the South Region, striving to succeed as a business entrepreneur nationally and
in our sub-region, so she can pay her children through school while at the same
time looking after the children of other people less privileged than she is.
I learned first-hand the work of Mrs. Dzebong Octavie, president to the
'Association Ngong' du Nde in the Western region which mobilizes market women
and enhances their capacity to sustain themselves economically, financially and
socially. Mrs Dzebong attended my book launch in Bafoussam in November 2014 and
said she also wanted to be part of the conversation about our country's future.
I think of Ms Nakinti Besumbu, a young journalist from Ndian Division in the
South West region who, despite the challenges of funding, runs an initiative
called 'Rescue Women' to train girl children in information technology and new
skills that can make them more successful citizens.
I also know firsthand the efforts of Mrs Ikollo Jacqueline, Queen of Bonedale,
Douala in the Littoral region, who is a geologist by training and who, rather
than go make money working for big oil companies, is spending time organizing
women within Sawa communities and in chiefdoms in other parts of the country.
And I also think of the young, dynamic, hardworking Grace Sil from Yaoundé in the
Centre region who trained in Europe in very specialized skills and returned home
hoping to find opportunities to serve her country. She and many of her
generation hope and aspire to a better future for this country that my
generation has a civic responsibility to provide.
These are ordinary women doing extraordinary things and succeeding, oftentimes
through very challenging circumstances. These women of all age groups, from all
regions of our country are but a small prism though which to see the abundance
of positive energy and exceptional potential, the philanthropy and
kindheartedness of the Cameroonian woman. I, therefore, seize this opportunity,
on behalf of the Fomunyoh Foundation and in my personal capacity, to say thank
you; congratulations, and to wish our Cameroonian mothers, grandmothers, wives,
daughters, nieces, aunts and cousins, a happy International Women's Day, March
8, 2016.
Let me close where I started, by thanking Guardian Post for the recognition and
award; and you all Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen for your physical presence
here today (which means very much to me) and for your time and attention.
Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh
President
The Fomunyoh Foundation
www.tffcam.org
Email: fomunyoh@gmail.com
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