Ughito Zacharia: Civil Administrator of Exceptional Simplicity

To suggest in Cameroon that a civil administrator is a simple man is to jolt people to the edges of their seats. Yet, this is so because people have very distorted notions of simplicity. The Bible teaches us that while on earth, Jesus Christ was the simplest of human creatures. Jesus Christ’s simplicity did not come from the fact that he never challenged or abused somebody but rather from the fact that in the discharge of his duties on earth, he was both the accuser and the advocate. The scripture is very clear on the point that even in heaven where God is said to be all-too-compassionate, we have the accuser and the advocate. Jesus was wont to shout at people and embarrass the priests but too quick to give direction and to forgive.

The most interesting thing about simplicity is that it is not what you do or say but how people see you that makes you a simple man. We have people in Cameroon that have named their businesses and projects as simplicity. We know of the famous Simplicity Bookshop along the Bamenda Commercial Avenue but you would be surprised there is nothing simple about it as their rates remain the highest. Others have called themselves ‘simple men’ but have ended up being the most difficult set of people to deal with.

By qualifying Ughito Zacharia as an exceptional simple civil administrator is to emphasize the point that unlike other administrators, he walks the talk and talks the walk. He is so straight forward and frank to a point that those who flourish in underground activities would conclude that he is a difficult man. Ughito Zacharia does not say one thing and mean the other.

A Man of Action

His simplicity comes from the fact that he is more a man of action than a man of words. He would not start something that he would not finish. He would prefer not to initiate an action than to leave it half way. Everywhere he has worked, he has been noted for this character trait. When for example he decrees a day in his jurisdiction for clean-up campaign, he is seen at the forefront coordinating action. He does not sit in the office and wait for reports. Ughito Zacharia’s simplicity at times makes him teach by example. If he thinks his subjects do not understand him, he would demonstrate by example. This is a rare quality to find in today’s civil administrators. Ughito Zacharia is more of a practical man who can fit squarely in private and productive enterprise than in routine administrative work. His blood flows constantly. To understand this one must revisit his professional career to see where he is coming from:

So Far, So Steadfast

Ughito Zacharia has grown steadily from within the administration until 1999 when he was appointed 2^nd Assistant SDO. After spending five years in that position, he was transferred in same capacity to Bangem. His worth in these seven years was proven especially as hierarchy saw the level of resilience in him. This earned him the promotion as Divisional Officer for the all-too-challenging jurisdiction of Fura Awa at the Nigerian border. His work as a grassroots and community developer in this completely enclave zone took him over two years. His attachment to work and his zeal to give this hard-to-reach and underserved segment of the population a fresh lease of life almost took his life. It should be recalled that Ughito Zacharia survived a canoe accident in River Katsina Ala although his 1^st Assistant and the other companion was never too lucky. This unfortunate incident took place as the Ughito team was busy making sure the legislative and municipal elections of 2007 register huge success in his area of command. However, it took him hard work and determination to overcome these challenges. By 2009, he was transferred back to Donga/Mantung precisely as DO for Misaje where he worked there till 2011 where he was transferred to Tiko Sub Division in Fako Division.

His Mission in Tiko

Like every administrator would tell you, his mission is to maintain law and order and to promote development. He could also add that he fights high crime wave and disorder in public places. He will also address himself to rampant land conflicts, hygiene and sanitation issues as well as the transparent execution of government business. Ughito Zacharia is no different even as he adds a human and friendly touch to his mission statement. “I have come so that the people of Tiko feel the impact of government development in their environment”. This mission statement can only come from somebody who wants to make the difference. And the difference is clear in Tiko since he came. No sooner did he arrive than he put order into the motor bike and transporters’ sector in Tiko. No sooner did he arrive than he tracked down the terrorizing activities of one Eno James whose stock-in-trade was human parts. No sooner did he arrive than he squarely addressed the thorny issue of hygiene and sanitation thereby reducing the incidence of cholera in Tiko sub division. All there are challenging tasks that Ughito Zacharia has to live up to.

Challenges in Tiko

Perhaps the most outstanding one is that of frequent accidents at the Mutengene junction. An administrator that is interested in development would not rest in the face of numerous and uncalled for accidents. A forward looking administrator must be preemptive. Ughito Zacharia took measures to ensure that such risk zone junctions should be cleared of busy activities. That is why when the recent accident of a truck with brake failure had controllable damage. The calmness in Tiko sub division is also thanks in part to the civil administrator’s meditative abilities.

Ughito: The Devote Christian

A practicing Christian of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Ughito owes all his achievements in life so far to the Almighty God. Without God, Ughito says, he would have been nothing. He thinks of the numerous challenges he has overcome, the Katsina River accident; the command challenging; and thanks God in a mighty way. He and his wife, Ayonpe Dorothy Manyi, as well as their four hard working and successful children always usually take off time from their busy schedule to thank God. It is one of these days that come up this Sunday July 29, 2012 at the Presbyterian Church Tiko town that the Ughito’s family invites friends, relations and collaborators to thank God for all the great things He has done to his family over the years. A man’s simplicity is also measured by such events. It is a mark of simplicity to know that it is not by might or by power but rather by the grace of God that you are what you are.

Who is Ughito Zacharia?

As stated earlier, he is Senior Divisional Administrative Officer better known in French as Administrateur Civil Principal. He holds a Diploma in Administrative Management following the 2004 in-service exam. He does not only hold conventional diplomas. Ughito Zacharia holds the traditional title of “Wambu” conferred on him by the traditional rulers of Mutengene for his leadership qualities. While in Bangem, he was already conferred the Knight of the Cameron National Order of Valor. After surviving the River Katsina Ala accident, many of his sympathizers have prayed God and the powers that be to confer him another title but the usually calm and forward-looking Ughito thinks that “God’s time is the best”. This son of Tezeh in Ngie sub division is a lover of development and has always been at the forefront of the Ngie Cultural and Development Association, NCADA. Through this, he encourages Ngie sons and daughters to support each other and to fight to get their own share of the national cake by constantly throwing their support behind President Paul Biya.

Being a man who always appreciates, Ughito Zacharia is always appreciative of the collaboration he has with municipal and traditional authorities in Tiko. He thinks of the mayor as a wonderful developer who realizes the projects he promises the population of Tiko. He recalls that when he came in, he was grossly misunderstood by the locals and traditional rulers of the Moungo but that today they share very cordial relationships.

He is grateful to his mentors and usually makes mention of administrators like Acha John Nwana, Mbu Peter, Simon Kamgu Patrick, Forzie Simon Nkeng and above all, his present hierarchy in the South West Region and especially the Fako SDO, whom he continues to learn from and to receive fatherly advice. He is part of the Golden Jubilee story as he is in Fako division when Buea will be hosting the 50^th anniversary of reunification, himself being 50 years old this year.