University of Bamenda Decentralization Hots-UP

- D/M: Faculty of Agriculture Lobbied

- Bui: School of Veterinary Medicine Targeted

- Ngoketunjia: Livestock & Fisheries Grounds Clamoured

- Momo: Engineering/Polytechnique Hub Insight

- Mezam: Santa, Mankon, Bafut, Tubah Options

President Paul Biya commentators hold, knew the minds of the North West people, when he came on December 2010 to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Armed Forces in Cameroon. He knew, the opinion of the North West remained not only the ring road, referred hospital but of course a state university. Even while he came, the university agenda was not included in his speech. Abakar Ahamat, the then Governor told newsmen thereafter that it was he (Abakar) who convinced President Biya that after the ring road, a university would placate North West people better. According to other reports, Biya did not even have any intention to announce a university for Bamenda. Chronicle was told that it was thanks to Abakar’s advice that Biya inserted with a pen (in his speech); the creation of the University of Bamenda. When he announced it, the deafening applause he received even jolted the head of state. Analysts posit that rather than say a university for North West, Biya preferred limiting it to Bamenda. Yet, many have been quick to question: where is Bamenda? Mankon, Nkwen, Bambili, Mbengwi, Ndop, Jakiri, Nkambe or where? (Read separate article elsewhere in this edition)

In his ongoing median meet-the-people-tour of divisional headquarters of the North West, the new North West Governor Lele Lafrique, has received varied appeals to fox out the extension of faculties for the University of Bamenda to other divisions other than Mezam division. Even if the Mayors/elite of Donga/Mantung, Bui, Ngoketunjia, Menchum divisions where he has been there did not make any overtures, Chronicle gathered that the new North West governor had already been briefed about the realities by his collaborators and the security.

President Paul Biya announced the creation of the University of Bamenda in December 2010. In February 2011, he signed a decree to authenticate its functioning. Even before the October 2011 presidential election, a decree appointing the Vice Chancellor, Prof Tafah Edokat was signed. Since then, things have moved-on immaculately. Last Friday June 29, 2012 President Biya created the unexpected: he appointed University Rectors and Vice Chancellors. The fact that the University of Bamenda was not mentioned, observers say, is indicative of the fact that government’s program for action and greater realization remains on course.

The University of Bamenda & Its Idea

Is it the University of Bamenda, North West or the University of Bambili/Tubah? Chronicle is aware about the fact that before President Biya announced the creation of Cameroon’s newest university, he noted how North West championed the fight for reunification; had always produced the best results at the General Certificate of Education, GCE examination. Then he announced , ‘…. That is why I have decided to create the University of Bamenda’.

It was Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of Higher Education and Grand Chancellor of National Academic Order, who installed Prof Tafah Edokat as pioneer VC of UBa. Even without pinpointing to the VC what his roadmap would be, presidential sources hinted Chronicle that the idea of the university of Bamenda was engulbing; that because the university is not even hosted in Bamenda, it thus entail that it could be anywhere: Santa, Mankon, Nkambe, Ndu, Mbengwi or where appropriate.

Many have therefore not been at ease with the postulations of the Bambili people that the University of Bamenda be exclusively based at Bambili. Critics aver that Bambili/Tubah people should not bank on the premise that because ENS/ENSET are the first schools of UBa; they should claim monopoly. Accordingly, it is the University of Bamenda, whose headquarters may be Bambili, Bafut, Mankon, Wum or wherever. Yet, given the stakes, the University of Bamenda may permeate Mezam, with faculties to be established in other divisions of North West.

UBa Campuses

Bambili hosts the main campus of UBa. When Pr Peter Abety stormed Yaounde with Tubah Fons to pledge land, this had since been seen as aberration. Who is Abety? The question has been posed. Claiming to be an elite of Bambili, Abety holds that all faculties of the University of Bamenda be hosted in Bambili. Yet, critics have questioned whether Bambili is part of Bamenda. It is projected that Bambili should be contented by the fact that it hosts the key/pioneer schools/faculties like those of Education, Sciences, Health Sciences and Management. Yet, would Bambili content the other schools/faculties?

North West Governor Lele Lafrique, Chronicle is aware, had since been inundated about the faculties in the field. That even before he undertook his ongoing meet-the-people-tour, he had been briefed.

So far, the demands of Donga/Mantung has not been for a full-fledged university but for an attachment of the faculty of Agriculture/forestry to be in Nkambe. Dr. Nick Ngwanyam, a prominent North West elite and son of Donga/Mantung has championed this.

In his welcome address to Governor Lele Lafrique in Kumbo a fortnight ago, Njong Donatus Fonyuy proposed that a campus of UBa, to host the school of veterinary/livestock be hosted at Jakiri. The SDF mayor Njong had reason for this. He probably took to the fact that Jakiri presently hosts the veterinary school; which would be transformed into a university faculty.

Ngoketunjia people think that they have enough land to float a faculty of the University of Bamenda. Mayor Ntoh Daniel did not bring this up in his speech, yet Ngoketunjia elite hold that with the Upper Noun Valley Development Authority , UNVDA in place, many other opportunities can be exploited. Moreso, with the dam at Baminjing, there could be.

Momo division had long been lobbying that the campus of the technical teachers training college ENIET could serve as a university faculty. That the Higher Technical Teachers Training College, which today operates at Bambili campus be moved to Mbengwi. This apart, Momo people believe that the division can host a polytechnic or faculty of Engineering linked to the University of Bamenda.

Menchum division at one time nurtured dreams of hosting a faculty of Agriculture. Their lobby has not been strong enough. They believe that the premises of the former WADA would serve as the school of Agriculture linked to the University of Bamenda. Yet, even when Mayor Njukwe welcomed Governor Lele Lafrique last week, he did not bring up the issue, an indication that they had abandoned the dream.

Mezam division is actually where the University of Bamenda should have its seat. Bamenda town, which carries the name has made little noise about hosting it. Only the Mankon area and part of Bafut, where IRAD structures are being recommended to likely host some faculties of the University of Bamenda. Already, within this Bafut-Mankon area, there is a vast land earmarked to serve as part of the University of Bamenda.

The Fon of Akum, in Santa sub division had even opted to provide vast land of some 35 hectares, to serve/host faculties of the University of Bamenda.

Dr. Peter Abety, an elite of Tubah sub division mobilized the Fons of Tubah to Yaounde to declare how they had set aside vast land to host all the faculties of the University of Bamenda. Where Dr. Abety has spoilt his campaign is his insistent that Tubah not Bambili is capable to host all faculties of the University of Bamenda. He gives the impression that those opting to host faculties in their varied divisions are wasting their time.

Yet, authorities of the University of Bamenda, Chronicle learnt, have not rejected any gift of land. Accordingly, when the land is given, the owners should not expect any compensation given that nobody requested it.

Also, Chronicle gathered that the University of Bamenda authorities would be more concerned with putting up structures for faculties on the land given her, then pay compensation to those who are offering the land.

Worthy to note, that the text creating the University of Bamenda, puts the two existing schools of Education (ENS and ENSET) to function on the Bambili campus. Prof Tafah Edokat, the pioneer vice chancellor has already created/ordered the functioning of three other schools/faculties- Sciences, Health Sciences and Management Science. All of those to operate on the Bambili campus.

Six other faculties/schools are still pending. Where there are going to operate is yet unknown. Reason why Chronicle has been told that the University of Bamenda administration has accepted all offers of land made by whoever and in whatever division, in so far as it is in the North West region.