By Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon.
74 years after St. Joseph College, Sasse, Buea, went operational, this legendary college is still making waves.
According to the Yaoundé-based Association Terre d’Accueil, this catholic college in Buea Diocese, in the Education Category, is the best school across Cameroon for the 2012/2013 academic year. This is the outcome of a maiden and glamorous award ceremony organised by the aforementioned association, recently, at the Yaoundé Mont Febe Hotel
Principal Rev.Fr Nouck, receives award onbehalf of the college
Before dishing out the awards to the carefully selected fifteen laureates, the President, Association Terre d’Accueil, Heffa Said Saibou noted that they are out to celebrate hard work, patriotism, success and ethics.
Saibou entreated Cameroonians to be honest, highlight merit and positive values in all they do.
The President of the five-man jury, Barrister Manfred Biyick explained how they got to the various categories and the motivation(s) for the exceptional individual(s) and institution(s) for 2013. Barrister Biyick will add; “The exceptional individuals or institutions are not necessarily perfect. There is always room for amelioration and the need to encourage those who are making tremendous efforts.”
Members of the jury, led by Barrister Biyick explain how the laureates were chosen
Rev.Fr Peter Nouck, Principal, St. Joseph College, Sasse expressed happiness that his institution, fondly referred to as Sasse College has been recognised for what it is. “We didn’t expect this award. But the jury members say we merited it. We’re happy and it is another challenge for us. Sustaining something that is great is the greatest of all challenges. We’re being challenged to do more than ever before,” he said.
Having scored a hundred percent in the Ordinary and Advanced Levels respectively, in the last three years, Fr. Nouck found the award a motivating factor as they warm up for the 2013 Session of the GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels. “We’ve done our part as human beings. The school year has gone very well so far. So, we leave the rest to God. God has been blessing us and this year will not be different. We are hopeful that we shall have good results this year,” he mentioned.
Saibou hands over award to the representative of Bernard Njonga
A parent of Sasse College and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Pierre Mukoko Mbonjo, described the award as a national recognition of what Sasse College has being doing for the past 74 years. “This is a moment of joy and pride. I am part of the Sasse College family. I encourage them to be on the path of success and strife to be the best. A big round of applause to Sasse College,” he said
To the students of the college, he enjoined them to keep working hard, be amongst the best, keep high standards for themselves, the school and the nation in general.
Another father of two sons in Sasse College, Mathieu Abega, Commander in the Cameroon Army, serving in the Ministry of Defense said the award to Sasse College is not a surprise.
Pierre Mukoko pose with the happy Sasse delegation at his residence after award.
“Everybody talks about the goodness of that college. The ex-students, SOBANS, are proud of their school. I was motivated by Mgr. Immanuel Bushu to send the first of my two sons to Sasse all the way from Garoua. Let the students continue to be disciplined. That’s the base of their success,” Abega added.
Amongst the other fifteen categories of award-winners were; Bernard Njonga for Civil Society Development, Janet Nkem, a Cameroonian at the UN, for her promotion of Women’s Rights, Albert Roger Milla, former Cameroon footballer, the Chantal Biya Foundation for their social and humanitarian activities in and out of Cameroon, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, Yaoundé Government Delegate for being exceptional in Urban Development, Canal 2 International for the best media house in Cameroon, Dr Ernestine Ngwet Bell in the health sector for her relentless contribution in promoting fecundity, the Chinese Embassy in Cameroon for promoting partnership & development and President Paul Biya for ensuring that peace reigns in Cameroon.
