Prof. Martin Zachary Njeuma

Chère Madame le Recteur,

J’ai appris avec regret et consternation le décès de votre époux que j’ai très bien connu. En effet, quand je me suis inscrit à l’Université de Yaoundé en 1980, votre époux était le Doyen de la Faculté de Lettres et vous étiez Vice-Ministre de l’éducation nationale. À la suite d’un problème que j’avais rencontré lors de l’inscription, mes parents et moi avions rencontrés le professeur Martin Njeuma qui avait fait venir Madame Noumbissi, une française mariée à un Camerounais et qui travaille aujourd’hui à la Coopération Française. Le problème avait été réglé. C’est depuis cette époque que je connais votre défunt mari. Quand je suis revenu des Etats-Unis, il a été nommé Doyen de la Faculté des Lettres de l’Université de Buea. Puisque j’enseignais dans la même Université comme vacataire au Département d’anglais tout en étant permanant à l’Université de Yaoundé, je rencontrais fréquemment.
Le professeur Martin Njeuma et nous avons toujours entretenu des rapports très  cordiaux malgré le fossé social et généalogique qui pouvait nous séparer.
Je vous adresse mes sincères condoléances, à vous et à vos enfants. Je regrette amèrement de ne pouvoir prendre part aux obsèques du distingué professeur disparu par ce que je quitte le Cameroun lundi le 17 mai pour un séjour de trois semaines au Nigéria.

May God bless you.

Pr Edmond BILOA
Université de Yaoundé I
Chef de Département de Linguistique
BP 755 Yaoundé - Cameroun.

Homage to Cameroonian Historical Maestro; Prof. Emeritus Martin Zachary NJEUMA

By  Mathew Basung Gwanfogbe

 ENS-Annexe Bambili

When the dark clouds that gathered on…informed the demise of one of the most celebrated and venerated historiographer of Cameroon extraction, many Cameroonians, especially those,  of the historical thinking tradition were caught in convulsion. Death, the ravenous and esurient fiend had engorged the life of a mentor, an intellectual referent, Professor Emeritus Martin Zachary Njeuma.  It is difficult to fully capture the scope of his intellectual impact for he did not only spend his career as an historian to fashion young historians. Prof. Njeuma was an indefatigable human scientist with an adept historical leaning, he surpassed best performances, proof to this was the numerous scientific articles he crafted, the seminal books he wrote, and the editorial finesse he invested in collegial works

If the saying that, “an artist never dies” is any indication to go by, then it is true that Prof’s historical impact is an indelible landmark that death in all its greed and might can not monopolise. There is no doubt that Prof. Njeuma accomplished his task on earth. In this fulfillment, he embraced the words of Patrick Henry, the Sharp US legal mind who in opposing the Stamp Act in 1765 said “I know not what course others might take…give me death”. Prof. you were a veritable pathfinder, a historical imperator, you opted for death conscious of the causal relation it will have for our feelings as your students. It will be hard to fill the vacuum you’ve created but be rest assured the intellectual wealth you invested in us will leave to immortalize all you have toiled to transfer for the sake of social progress. Prof. as one of your earliest students of History dating back to 1970, it is with a heavy heart, that I am wishing you a stress-free trip to the world beyond. Rest in Peace. Adieu, Adieu.

M.B.Gwanfogbe. 

To the family of Dr. Martin Njeuma,

So many tributes have already been written honoring the life of Martin Njeuma. What is there for me to add? We all know Martin as a scholar and as a friend, a person whose scholarship has been a significant contribution to the study of Cameroon and African history, a person whose friendship has aided and encouraged so many of us in our own work. It is this aspect, Martin's eagerness to assist other scholars and students, that I wish to emphasize.

Perhaps an anecdote will best express my feelings. In 1968 I was a young student living in London, preparing to go to Cameroon to do doctoral dissertation research, and studying informally at SOAS and the International African Institute. I needed help in  learning to speak "pidgin" English; a professor at SOAS suggested I meet a certain Martin Njeuma, himself a young doctoral student. My budget was pretty small and I was rather hesitant about hiring a language tutor, but decided to go ahead and meet with this gentleman. In fact, it was Martin and Dorothy who showed up at the appointed time. We discussed what was needed and Martin agreed to help. Then, came the all important money question. "How much do you want me to pay you for this help?" I asked. There was no hesitation in his reply, "We are fellow scholars. Scholars help each other. I will take no money for this."  And help he did, spending numerous hours with me over the next few months.

Over the many years of friendship that followed our time in London, Martin's willingness to help "fellow scholars" never waned. While I was a Fulbright scholar in Yaounde, when groups of young American teachers visited Cameroon, when Martin was at the University of South Carolina as a Fulbright scholar, and on many other occasions he practiced what he preached.  Students and colleagues alike prospered from his advice and assistance.

Working with and knowing Martin Njeuma has been a high point of my career. 

Sincerely,

Mark W. DeLancey, Professor

Sookmyung Women's University

Seoul, Korea 

HOME: 5 Dongbu-ri
Goesan-eup
Goesan-gun
Chungbuk 367-805
KOREA

Eulogy to Uncle Zac

by Peter Ndumbe

Mondinde called me on the morning of Wednesday the 28^th of May to announce the death of Uncle Zac. I could sense that he could not hold back his tears, and I therefore made no effort to ask about the circumstances surrounding Uncle Zac’s demise. I knew enough to not bother anyone any further because the day before, I had been in touch with Sister Limunga and Mondinde concerning his management.

I believe that there is no cure for death but the loss of one with whom you bonded on any and every topic, who respected and loved you, who shared some of his most intimate concerns with you, must of necessity fill you with grief, consternation, anger and despair. This, I confess, is how I felt. Did Uncle Zac have to die? And if yes, should those have been his circumstances?

I met Uncle Zac in Yaounde, through the auspices of my good friends and sisters, Rosa and Ngowo. Although a university don, he was the simplest of men, easy going, welcoming and easy to please. He was adored by Rosa and I followed suit! Uncle Zac was friends to those who mattered in both the academic and non-academic worlds and I sought to know his secret.

He was a very loving father to Christie and Embelle and extended this love to Maloke and Etona who were under their charge. When I visited them, I usually spoke with Sister Limunga but was equally happy to speak with Uncle Zac when the opportunity arose.  His simplicity was even more remarkable when I joined the faculty at CUSS. He was generous in his praises to me and although revered by his students, gave me the impression that I was worth something. This was culminated by him giving me the honour to proof read one of his books. What humility!

Uncle Zac usually made me blush whenever we met, as he was wont to say, “Dr Ndumbe, I like your work and your style. Please keep it up”. He knew my joys and my difficulties and even when belated, always encouraged and comforted me.

We met in early January 2010 and about six weeks later he called me to inform me that he was not feeling well and needed to talk to me. I gave him the advice I could and expressed the desire to meet with him. Unfortunately, circumstances did not permit this to happen, largely due to my own ill-health which ensued along the way.

As I reflect on Uncle Zac’s life, I look inward to note that I am weak in faith and prone to fall. However, my feebleness is the reason why I should always be where the Lord feeds his flock, that I may be strengthened, and preserved in safety beside the still waters. Why should I turn aside? There is no reason why I should, but there are a thousand reasons why I should not, for Jesus beckons me to come. Indeed, “In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul” Ps 94, v 19.

Uncle Zac has gone to meet the Lord. We could not have cheered him, but the Lord has done it, “He is the God of all comfort”. There is no balm in Gilead, but there is balm in God. As for us, we must also go to “God who comforts all those who are cast down” II Cor 7, v6 for only he can truly comfort us.

Uncle Zac, go in peace!

Tribute to Uncle Zac,

I still remember the love you had for me when we went to Sasse College in 1966 on foot, for my admission because of lack of transportation at that time. I also thank you very much for the kind donation you made when I was to about to start my life. At that time you bought me two out board engines to power the vessel I constructed myself. In fact, during your last days, whenever we met, you always created fun by telling me that "I now see age in you Mahop”…Uncle, always remember us wherever you are, and may your soul rest in perfect peace.

From Jacob Mahop Njee

Second grandson of Njeuma family