Prof. Martin Zachary Njeuma

My history with the Historian: Memories.

            Sometime around 2001, I observed my father, late Capt. Billy-Eko as he spent hours on end chatting with, as he called him, Zach. I also noticed he would refer to him as Brother Zach, Zachariah, sometimes Mondindi, and to impress on him he would call him Professor.  They teased each other endlessly like schoolboys, chatted for hours, whispered to each other as if to say outsiders are not welcome, laughed a lot, and shared stories of their days as youths in Buea town.  At times they were a little mischievous. I guess now, that their boyhood days never left them.  I remember once telling them that though in their 60’s; they were acting like young adults. They liked the suggestion and laughed even harder.

            As I grew up to learn, the complicity in their relationship began with their mothers; Limunga la Motutu for my father, and…Soph’a Mondinde for Uncle Zach.  Both happened to be school mates, some time in the 1920’s and lived at some point under the same roof as sisters in Vasingi.  My father told me how, as little boys, they made golf clubs out of sticks and actually played at the site of the Buea Municipal stadium which I’m told was a golf course in the 1940’s. To explain the reason for his ingrown left toe nail, he referred me to his buddy Zach who told me, they had made a bell out of a wheel drum, would ring it just before the bugle sounded at the garrison which was located at the site of the present day Buea Market. The cord snapped and it fell on my father’s left toe. These stories abound, as they grew up in Buea with many others such as Mgr. Francis Teke Lysinge, Fred Ngomba Eko, George Eko, Elinge Jeme, George Ekema and many others who are all fathers to me. Their protestant faith did not stop them from getting into Sasse College in the 1950’s where they all became converts of Catholicism as was required in those days. He wrote and commented extensively of their days in Sasse. Record Club Members after Sasse College, they all went separate ways in pursuit of their goals. Their bonds remained unshaken over the years. By the time I came along in the late 1960’s, these family bonds were two generations old. When Uncle Zach and Aunty Limunga got married, my father told me he was often asked to which of the families did he belong. Uncle Zach was his brother and now his brother was getting married to his Cousin. My father treasured his very unique status for the rest of his life. 

As a kid, with other cousins we played soccer with Aunty Limunga during visits to Victoria in the 1970’s where we lived at the time.  I particularly enjoyed seeing Uncle Zach. He always gave us pocket money. As a 7or 8 yr old, those were blessed moments. We wished he would visit more often. As children we liked that he did not fuss. If the homework was not done, in his characteristic soft spoken voice, he asked you to get to it. Right through our teenage to adult years Uncle Zach continued to inspire us by his frankness,   simplicity, honesty and kindness. They made sure we all attended Sasse College, continued to inculcate in us the strong values of Christianity, brotherhood, friendship  sincerity and nudged us to maintain the relationships we had inherited.           

Once After a trip to the Adamawa Region where he was carrying research for an upcoming publication, I asked him if I could tag along during his next trip. I had seen colorful photographs of decorated horses and the thought of riding one seemed exciting. He softly replied that research is very serious business. I learned many years on, when by some coincidence he was my Supervisor at  the University that my soft spoken Uncle Zach is a no nonsense academician. He was pedantic. It sounded very odd for me to call him Prof. Njeuma as other students did. I stood my ground. I called him Uncle Zach right through. He seemed bemused. I often wondered what he was thinking. I learned from my father that this turn of fate was equally as exciting to him. The defense of my thesis felt somewhat like a family reunion. I wonder if those present, were there for me or for Uncle Zach. One thing I am sure of, he was always there for me. When my father took ill, Zach as he called him, supported him. On the night of my fathers wake keeping in 2003 remembering the stories of their childhood, he asked me to retell these stories to our children. This was the historian in his heart. I desperately wish I could be by Aunty Limunga, Embelle and Christine to perpetuate this much cherished  historical tradition.

                                Junior.

EVERGREEN MEMORIES OF UNCLE ZEE

Uncle Zee,

                 I can still feel the warmth of that long embrace on Friday23rd April as you emerged rather frailly from the privacy of your home in Etoa Miki. ‘Oh Ash you are so warm” you said to me.  My reply was” Uncle I bring you all the warmth and love you could ever demand.” I held my uncle so tight as if I knew that would be the last. When I finally released him, I looked closely at my Uncle Zee and it struck me that he was not the same again.

 I had not seen you in a long time Uncle Zee but Aunty Limu kept me posted on the progress of your health care. Little did I know that you would not be with us in the next couple of months.

I feel fulfilled, though you are sorely missed, fulfilled that I shared three hours of your scarce time with you. You were so delighted to see your ACTION GIRL ASH, that with only very little encouragement you finished a full meal, something you had not been able to do for weeks. You gave me the honour to be one of those who served you as a daughter would.  Why did you ask for a special menu if you knew you would not stay alive to savour  it? When I said, I had to run this by Aunty Limu, you told me that she is indeed very strict about your diet.

You were doing well with your good humour and you had quite a merry Friday afternoon with me teasing you from all fronts.

Uncle zee, you were so easy to talk to, so willing to listen even though you would do exactly as you thought fit. You were so cheerful and relaxed a personality that you endeared many. I think of your” best beau” Aunty Ngowo, how badly she will miss you too

 You told me how happy you were for me and promised to be part of the October 2011 action for the celebration of 50years of Reunification. You were a consultant to prepare documentation on Cameroon’s history through to independence. You were yourself a monument of historical facts…where have you left that brain, Uncle Zee? I guess Aunty Limu will have to complete the work you started.

Uncle zee, I will let you GO IN PEACE and will forever cherish the memory of those hours spent making you giggle and laugh barely four days before you departed. I feel deeply consoled that I finally saw you and left you in a very happy and light hearted mood. That is the way I want to remember my dear Uncle Zee…and may God grant you eternal bliss in his HEAVENLY KINGDOM

Ash

Asheri Kilo
Technical Adviser No.1
Ministry of Culture
Yaounde
Cameroon

In 1982 Dr. Martin Njeuma directed a group of 12 American historians on a six week sojourn in Cameroon.  Little did we know what we had in this man---a great historian, scholar and teacher, a friend, a man who both revered learning and confronted life with the lightest touch.  Martin took us everywhere, guided and instructored us, and helped us  12 hapless foreigners adjust in his home country.  Generous, kind, engaging.   Martin was all these things.  I will miss him,  but will always be grateful for having had him in my life.   May he rest in peace. 

Dana Greene

Dean emerita

Oxford College of Emory University

IN MEMORY OF PROF. MARTIN ZACHARIA NJEUMA

9/4/1940-28/4/2010

When Martin and Dorothy returned home and sought employment at the Federal University of Cameroon, very few Cameroonians could boast of a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.). Yet this young couple, were both holders of a Ph.D. There were even fewer women who held that Degree.

The then Minister of National Education was therefore surprised by this phenomenon, "Everyone Anglophone with a Ph.D.", he is reported to have told them. In fact, Solomon Shu, a veteran educationist and holder of a Ph.D. was then working in the Department of Primary and Nursery Education under a younger and much less qualified francophone. He was already a problem, and many more were coming to the University. More than two decades later, rather than work in the office as a Chef de Bureau, another holder of a Ph.D Paul Ntungwe Ndue applied to his Minister of National Education to be sent to teach in high school. The Minister's reply was quick, "No, you will rather confuse the young students". This is what the likes of Professor Martin Zacharia Njeuma went through.

But never giving up, they eventually got in and, by dint of convincing honesty and academic brilliance, they rose to the top: Professor of History, Head of Department, Dean of the Faculty, second to serve as Chairman of the National Commission of Equivalence (Section dealing with Literary and Social Sciences) after Professor Mboui Joseph, writer and editor of several books.  In addition to these, I believe that the teacher's greatest legacy is the large number of students who passed through his hands.  Plato is the greatest testimony of what his teacher Socrates was. Though I never was a student of Professor Njeuma, it is my hope that his students will do him that justice that he so much deserves.

Whereas today most of Cameroon's university Dons crave a position in the sphere of administration and politics rather than concentrate in teaching and research, Professor Njeuma set the example by being earnestly and jealously engaged in the noble profession. He did not dabble in politics for selfish reasons, even though he had been an active participant and leader in the student politics of his day, during the struggle for reunification. He disarmed everyone with his usual smile and simplicity as befits the teacher he lived. Some may claim that he shied away from politics so as to protect his wife who entered politics by default, surprised to be appointed Minister in 1975, and who from there, has been fully and honestly engaged. No! Professor Njeuma loved his chosen profession and lived it through, a great lesson for young academics.

An exemplary academic couple who did not mutually compete but cooperated and complemented each other. Let every highly gifted couple learn from the Njeumas not to tear themselves apart in degrading and destructive mutual competition. Again, this is a great lesson for posterity.

Adieu Prof., for you live on, dearly remembered by your works.

Yours sincerely,

S.N. Ejedepang-Koge

2603 Crane Court

Naperville, IL60564

Remembrance

Professor Njeuma: Historian, Professor  & Researcher

Leader, Mentor, Pioneer, Role Model & Architect of Victory

By Dr. Jerry Komia Domatob

Like mortals, Professor Njeuma earned the call

Which translates as inevitable fall

Ushering the great author, to blissful eternity

Where he joins eminent person’s fraternity

A distinguished and seasoned historian

Like ace documentarians

He mastered the art of story telling

Studying past, to improve the present for future benefit

Shinning among African pioneer professors

Who earned history PhDs

Dr. Njeuma gladly shared expertise

With community, nation and the globe

Revered scholar and teacher

Dr. Njeuma glittered as a researcher

Outstanding guide and mentor

Students hailed him as a star instructor

Popular educational administrator

He impressed folks as chair and dean

Creative, innovative and resourceful

Supportive, inspiring and helpful

Splendid gentleman of substance

He generated charisma like legends

Soft-spoken manager of utmost kindness

His grand deeds spoke louder than wordiness

Master organizer of victory

Professor Njeuma promoted strategy

A consummate tactician

He excelled as a patriot, nationalist and internationalist

An endearing father figure

He outshined as a role model

Family head, celebrity husband and grandfather

His generosity, magnanimity and leadership, inspired

Blessings! Professor Njeuma. We thank you.

Special condolence to: Professor Dr. Dorothy Njeuma, all the Njeumas, family, friends, associates and above all, former students who loved and admired this heroic role model.

Dr. Jerry Komia Domatob

 JDomatob@yahoo. com