Cameroon’s leading publishing house, ANUCAM Educational Books, AEB Plc, has launched a literary series with journalist, Bouddih Adams’ ‘Lines of Times’ (a collection of poems) and Prof. John Nkengasong’s novel ‘Across The Moungolio’.

In a press briefing following the launch of the literary series with his book, Bouddih Adams said he was overwhelmed when he learned about it and about the fact that ‘Lines of Times’ was proposed for ‘A’ Level Literature.

“…I didn’t believe it. I felt flattered. But when I confirmed the information, I felt honoured that a leading publishing house like ANUCAM had selected my work to launch its literary series, alongside the work of a literary colossus, University don and Professor of Literature, John Nkengasong,” Bouddih said.

Bouddih will add that, though he knows that writers don’t make money, it will be a sin not to impart the talent that God gave one and the tutoring that his teachers gave him. He named Philip Fongod who inspired him to do Literature in lower secondary school and Peter Suh-NforTangie who tutored him in upper secondary school.

Reminded that Cameroonians do not read, Bouddih reacted: “They don’t read because of the system where it is not with what you know that you get a job but with who you know that lands you a job. When there will be a good system in place that rewards merit, Cameroonians will start reading. And I won’t wait till then. I will continue writing and encourage other writers to keep the flame alive so that when the turn around would happen, the books will be there for posterity.”

He revealed that he was working on his second collection of poems which should be ready by the close of the year.

Asked why ANUCAM has engaged in a literary series, David Njousi Abang, Editor-in-Chief at ANUCAM said: “Our objective is to broaden readership and enhance extensive reading in a community where the reading culture has hit the rock bottom.”

Talking about other AUNUCAM services to the nation, Ngabe Nkwelle, Head of Corporate Affairs, said: “We don’t do business only to make money; ANUCAM Foundation last year donated books worth over FCFA 60,000 to the underprivileged and the needy. So, we are not only selling books, we are also out to render service to humanity.”

He said the books are donated through credible Non-Governmental organisations, NGOs, who deal with underprivileged people.

“We have received applications and are processing them and would make the donations. As usual, we will be giving prizes to schools, teachers and we will be organising in-service training as our contribution to the community as part of our corporate social responsibility,” Nkwelle maintained.

Briefing the press about reviewed and updated books, the Editor-in-Chief, Abang said the books are tailored to meet the expectations of all the stakeholders. He said the Ministry of Secondary Education, its departments and delegations; pedagogic inspectors have put down syllabuses, for instance; breaking down them to work schemes.

Abang posited that: “In reviewing books, you must take into consideration, the fact, which is the foundation of a book. Our role is to provide flesh to the skeleton. It is to make the books to empower the children and ease the work of teachers so that teaching and learning flows smoothly. We have come up with new products; a new syllabus has been drawn for ‘A’ Level Literature as provided by the General Certificate of Education, GCE Board and we have designed books to meet this.”

Other books released for GCE ‘A’ level Literature are: ‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare; ‘death of a Salesman’ by Arthur Miller; ‘The General prologue and the Franklin’s Prologue and Tales’ by Geoffrey Chaucer; ‘Selected Poems of Black Africa for ‘A’ Level Literature’ – ANUCAM Edition; ‘The Way of the World’ by William Congreve; ‘Folks of Wangi’ by Comfort Onya and many more.