How Nalova Lyonga’s Appointment As Vice Chancellor Was Cooked-Up

- Bakweri Lobby; Inoni Factor; Agbor Tabi’s Hands

- Bookmakers Displaces Over Leke Tambo, Efange, Ako Edward, Julius Ngoh…

By IO Fossung

Nalova Lyonga, as Associate Professor would be installed on Wednesday July 4 at 3p.m as the 4^th vice chancellor of the University of Buea, UB. She will become the second female and second South West elite to man the affairs of UB. Her appointment by President Paul Biya last Thursday June 28, 2012 downplayed all promoters of bookmakers. Yet, following Chronicle’s investigations, Nalova Lyonga sailed through, to replace Vincent P.K Titanji, following varied lobby faces.

Vincent Titanji, the 3^rd UB VC, had long been retired, though was still the one calling the shots. Underground lobby, Chronicle is aware were at centre stage. A close aide to Titanji hinted Chronicle last weekend on grounds of anonymity that Titanji’s recommendations fell on Nalova Lyonga. Accordingly, Titanji dreaded Prof Victor Julius Ngoh and Efange, who were allegedly candidates and shortlisted to succeed him. Titanji is quoted to have allegedly said shortly after the appointment fell, that he was elated given that he groomed Nalova Lyonga. He added that he feels safe an moreso, those who thought they would be appointed should go and commit suicide.

Chronicle gathered that Titanji’s influence towards Nalova Lyonga’s appointment was just minor. A source at the presidency hinted Chronicle that there had been a massive Bakweri lobby. Accordingly, after Hubert Endeley and Dorothy Njeuma out of the system, it was necessary to reintroduce another Bakwerian. It could not have been Prof Efange, who was considered as the choice of radicals. Nalova Lyonga, was event he Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Teaching.

Biya, Chronicle has been told, fell on Nalova Lyonga, as a strategy to pacify the minds of the Bakwerians, after the arrest of Chief Ephraim Inoni, former prime minister and head of government. Moreso, it is believed that Nalova Lyonga was the one being groomed by Peter Mafany Musonge, Inoni and Dorothy Njuema to that position. Her position had to be buttressed following her involvement in last year’s presidential election campaigns.

Nalova Lyonga was surprisingly spotted in the heart of CPDM campaigns, whereas she had never militated in any sub section in Limbe. Chronicle gathered that she had never responded to any financial request to support CPDM anywhere. Yet, she was allegedly the one recommended to Prof Jacque Fame Ndongo, by Titanji as the right person.

Chronicle also learnt that Nalova Lyonga had long had the support of Prof Peter Agbor Tabi, Deputy Secretary General at the Presidency. Nalova Lyonga was a lecturer at the Faculty of Arts in Yaounde, when Agbor Tabi was chancellor of the then lone Univesity of Yaounde Cameroon. It is alleged that Agbor Tabi backed Nalova Lyonga’s file, given that without which would have jeopardized the chances of South West having two VCs (Rectors). Worthy to note, that Prof Ako Edward, Rector of the University of Maroua is a product/making of Agbor Tabi. Initially it was alleged that he could be moved to Buea, yet it would have compromised South West chances.

Titanji, a son of Bali-Nyongha (North West) succeeded Prof Mbufing Lambi Cornelius, a son of Babungo (North West). With Titanji gone, critics say North West lobby was weak, not to have fought for another North West son to replace him.

Yet, earlier projections were that it could have been Prof Leke Tambo, Secretary General in the Ministry of Secondary Education, tipped to replace Titanji. Chronicle even learnt that Louis Bapes Bapes, the Minister of Secondary Education was at the head of the lobby for Leke Tambo. Even for an umpteenth time, some Lebialem elite rebuked Chronicle for its reports over Leke Tambo’s imminent appointment.

Other aspirants who had been tipped could not sail through for obvious reasons. Prof Efange, a Bakwerian like Nalova was the candidate of SYNES, the University Teachers Trade Union. Chronicle gathered that he had no one to back him at the presidency. But as for Prof Ako Edward, Chronicle learnt that Agbor Tabi dropped his lobby, when he realized that South West would lose if Prof Ako was transferred from Maroua to Buea. Then for Prof Victor Julius Ngoh, Deputy VC at UB in charge of international cooperation, Chronicle gathered that Titanji had been bent that it would be over his dead body that Prof Ngoh would succeed him.

The new UB VC has less than 5 years to go on retirement, Chronicle has been told. She is married to one John Egbe, a cadre at SNH through unclear whether they are still together. It is on record that she never takes a position in public. Implicitly, though seen as an Iron Lady, many consider her not as hard as Dorothy Njuema; that she is flexible.

Critics say given that she is not yet a full Professor, under the Anglo Saxon tradition, she would not have been appointed VC. Prof Beban Chumbow, refused to become deputy VC at UB, while Dorothy Njuema was VC, given that as a full professor, he could not compromise how a mere Doctor was appointed to lord over him, within an anglo saxon context. Yet, Chronicle gathered that it was late Prof Victor Anoman Ngu who pleaded with Chumbow to accept the position, just for the sake of peace.

Biya’s appointment of Nalova without appointing deputy Vice Chancellors, has now become an issue. Chronicle is aware that she would have to combine her functions as VC and deputy VC in charge of teaching at UB. Worse still, with other appointments pending the management of UB now is placed in the hands of South Westerners: VC and Deputy VC in charge of Teaching (SE); Deputy VC in charge of Control- Prof Ntoko (SW); Registrar- Prof Abangma (SW). It is only Prof Victor Julius Ngoh, Deputy VC in charge of International Cooperations, whose region of origin creates a national character in the appointment/positions at UB.