By Walter Wilson Nana
Summit Magazine and some of the finest Cameroonian scholars took off time, Saturday, July 7 2012 to celebrate the life and works of the literary icon, Dr. Bate Besong.
In an occasion to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the people-oriented Summit Magazine, a memorial conference on Bate Besong was put at the fore. Dr. Bate Besong died on March 8 2007 in a ghastly car crash along the Douala – Yaoundé Highway. He died along side Dr. Hilarious Ambe of the University of Buea, Kwasen Ngwangwa’a, TV Producer at CRTV and their driver, Samson Tabe Awoh.
Francis Wache, Moderator of the Memorial Conference on Dr Bate Besong
Dr. Nalova Lyonga, newly commissioned Vice Chancellor, VC, of the University of Buea, UB and a colleague of the deceased, at UB’s Faculty of Arts said no writer has been as angry as Bate Besong, fondly referred to as BB. “We’re replaying BB. Some, in the society did not like his fire. We’re missing him somewhere. That’s why we’re bringing him now. We are doing this for him,” the UB VC noted.
According to Dr. Nalova Lyonga, we have to remember some of the things BB said and move ahead. “We can’t dare to forget BB and the Publisher of Summit Magazine, Williams Kange Wassaloko, a UB alumnus for remembering BB and taking initiatives like this one to carry on with the ideas BB left behind. It is not just remembering but for a purpose,” she said.
Dr. Nalova Lyonga found in the writings of BB the element of predicting, especially in his plays; Beast Of No Nation and Disgrace. “Don’t we have disgrace in Cameroon today?” she questioned.
Dr Nalova Lyonga congratulates Moderator Emeritus of the PCC, Nyansako-Ni-Nku for his award for Religious Excellence
The Associate Professor of Literature and Gender Studies said BB highlights women, especially African women in his writings, though he will do that in anger. She expressed glee that four days after her inauguration as the fourth VC of UB, She was on her maiden outing to celebrate literature and BB.
Retired but not tired Professor of Theatre Arts, Bole Butake mentioned that a writer is never referred in the past, for he/she is physically alive because of the works that are there. “BB’s works include eight essays, which were published, a series of publications in poetry, but BB excelled in drama, with Beasts Of No Nation being one of his best,” said Prof. Butake.
To him, the writings of BB are loaded with pride and arrogance, adding that the iconoclastic BB writes for the intelligent people, for achievers and not underachievers but he (BB) does identify with the poor, the oppressed as well as very concerned with socio-political issues.
He found in the works of BB a lot of parody, unstructured and unconventional approaches, which call for deep understanding. “You must properly digest the writings of the genuine scholar if you want to understand him,” Prof Butake noted. He will add; “BB will be appreciated in the future and not today. He is an intellectual writer.”
The brother & mother of Dr Bate Besong at the memorial conference
Looking through the prism of Anglophone Cameroon writings after BB, Prof. John Nkengasong, the chair of Anglophone Cameroon Writers Association, ACWA and varsity don said Anglophone Cameroon writings are flourishing across the country and beyond, saying the books of BB are there to enrich the literary scene. “There is the BB influence in the Cameroonian society, which is that of changing the society for good,” said the ACWA President.
He said the BB writings can be summarised in rage and confrontation but, there are more to them as you read on. “The volcano laughter of BB carries with it a lot of sarcasm but his works also set the pace for writing,” he added.
Prof. Nkengasong made a plea to the VC of UB to create a corner in the UB library for Anglophone Cameroon writers, whom he described as doing great in the literati. “Even in the international scene, the writings of BB and Prof. Butake are recognised,” he said.
While the Summit Magazine Publisher, Wassaloko expressed gratitude to all for the support received in the magazine project and the necessity to craft a BB Foundation, one of BB’s intimate friend and fellow writer, Dr. Babila Mutia revealed that he is still keeping some of the correspondences he shared with BB in the 1970s and poems BB wrote. “I am looking for some grants to get them published,” he said.
Awards Galore!
The ceremony was also an opportunity for Summit Magazine to recognise some Cameroonians in their endless quest for nation building, taking into consideration their socio-professional backgrounds. In the religious field, Moderator Emeritus of the PCC, the Most Rev. Nyansako-Ni-Nku and retired Cardinal Christian Tumi were honoured.
In Cameroon’s Higher Education sector, Dr. Dorothy Limunga Njeuma, former varsity Vice Chancellor and Rector, Dr. Enoh Tanjong, pioneer Head of Department, Journalism & Mass Communication, UB and Prof. George Nkeng Elambo, Director, National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaoundé were awarded. In the domain of Theatre Arts, Prof. Butake was honoured.
For distinguishing himself in the judiciary, a corps, in Cameroon said be polluted with corruption and inertia, Justice Charles Menyoli was recognised.
As an advocate of democratic change in Cameroon, the Chieftain of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, John Fru Ndi was given an award, while the CDC was recognised as the Best Managed Corporation in Cameroon.
Cultural Touch
Some artists and traditional dance groups chipped in their spice. These included; Tata Kingue, Frank Bell, Dr. Kini Fongot, the band of four acappella-oriented boys – The Nobles, the Buea-based Manyu Cultural and Noni Dance groups respectively. Some of the poems of BB were recited and excerpts of his play, Beasts Of No Nation performed by students of UB’s Faculty of Arts.
The ceremony had great support from CAMTEL and ANUCAM Educational Books, while The Post’s Executive Editor, Francis Wache, skilfully, moderated the presentations. Kinsgley Ngange of UB’s Journalism & Mass Communication Department was the MC.
The special guest at the ceremony was the mother of BB, who shared tears of joy as her son was venerated.
