It is a truth nationally accepted
in Cameroon
that business does not mix with academia. This is more so because the two
activities have been made to run parallel. The academic class since made the
business class fell inferior and society operated as if business had nothing to
offer the academia.
It was not
until two decades ago that the Harvard
University in the United States of America
started research and studies on how university research could be used or
exploited by the business community to improve the lot of society. This
research seem to have produced a lot of results as the end product of every
university research or study is the improvement of the business climate. Today
the relationship between the business class and the university is very cordial.
Enterprise development
has become a key factor in the functioning universities today. When the University of Buea
was created Anglophone elites made it a point of duty that to bring in
businessmen and women into the endowment fund committee that help build the University of Buea. The endowment fund was a classic
example of a perfect relationship between business and the university. Since
then, businessmen and women have not only been interested in what happens in
the university but also on the products that the university produces in terms
of research. In naming the University
of Bamenda the University
of the Future, government’s intention is that the university responds to the
needs of the community. A university is a means to an end, not an end in
itself. One of such rapprochements was demonstrated in triumphant detail when
last July 13, 2012, El Hadj Amadou Danpullo was invited as chief launcher at a
book launch at Amphi 750 of the University of Buea. The book which is a
compilation of research results by members of the academia in the university of Buea made business to mix with academic
freely. During the launching Baba Danpullo offered over 1 million FCFA to the
organizers. The book: Cameroon:
A country at crossroads – An Anthology has been edited b Cornelius Mbifang
Lambi, Prof of Geography in the University
of Buea. El Hadj Baba
Danpullo who is the President, Board of Directors of Cameroon Tea Estate CTE,
is a clear proof that both the university and the enterprise are concerned
about Cameroon
becoming an emerging country in 2035. During the book launch, El Hadj Danpullo
stressed the fact that it was important for the university to contribute to the
development of Cameroon
in all perspectives. His views were collaborated by the Nigerian Consul General
to the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon who stressed that the
purpose of every educational research is to better the lives of the people in
the community.
After so many
years of supporting direct development, El Hadj Baba Danpullo has moved to
another level now, that of supporting education research. By identifying with
university research Danpullo is confirming President Biya’s policies of greater
realizations by enabling the university and the business class come together
and support government.
Danpullo The Philanthropist
That Baba Danpullo came to Buea to
promise his support to the university class, only goes to confirm his
philanthropy. He demonstrated this philanthropy during the last presidential
election when Baba Danpullo supported Biya’s campaign with over 100 million. He
did not only end at giving. He mobilized all the North West elites to contribute over 500
million for Biya’s campaign. His charity does not only end here. Each village
or community that sends him an appeal ends up receiving financial asstance.
Baba Danpullo has promised to come up with an elite association in the North West so as to canalize development efforts in the North West. His tea
estate recruits over 5000 youths and this is development as each youth puts
food on the table of his family. El Hadj Baba Danpullo’s philanthropy cannot be
questioned. He has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that he loves everybody
who comes to him for assistance. As a good man of the people, he gives with the
right hand without allowing the left hand to see. He is not like other people
who give and climb the podium to announce what they have given. His enemies
have tried to link him to the former minister of Territorial Administration by
giving the impression that he is against President Paul Biya. How can one who
is against President Biya the way people want us to see, offer 100 million for
President Biya’s campaign in the North West
region of Cameroon?
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