Yaounde, Cameroon (The Cameroonian.com) – Book lovers in Yaounde and beyond who swarmed into the Solomon Tandeng Muna Foundation Tuesday left satisfied with the official presentation of Churchill Ewumbue-Monono’s latest book on Buea.
The heavy turnout by academicians, politicians, diplomats, journalists, and close aides of President Paul Biya to witness the unveiling of the 305-page book christened Buea, Capital of the Cameroons: Symbol of the Nation and of Reunification is sufficient testimony to the significance accorded to the masterwork.
CRTV’s Tabe Enonchong and OPEN’s Hervé Moudourou moderated the event. The latter, a career diplomat made a succinct profile of the prolific author who has served his nation as a flamboyant journalist and a diplomat.
This was followed by two reviews. Douglas Achingale – author of Oppression, a volume of poetries – summed his appraisal as “Churchill Monono’s reply to misguided zealots” whose oral attempt to downgrade Buea have been invalidated by this literarily piece.
The second review by Professor Willibroad Dze Ngwa, a celebrated historian, political analyst, and lecturer at the University of Yaounde appreciated the comprehensive methodology applied by the author to illustrate the might of Buea throughout Cameroon’s history.
Last but not the least was the intervention of Honourable Peter Ray Ikundi – pioneer Mayor of Buea, who classified the book as a genuine educational tool. He testified that it is a must read especially to the younger generation of Cameroonians who must understand the dynamic history of their fatherland.
On his part, Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, thanked the audience, with humility, for their resounding embrace of the book. He explained that it was an obligation for him to shed light on the mountain station town which is the birthplace of the reunification idea.
Positive remarks were made by a cross section of the audience notably by His Excellency Brian Olley, British High Commissioner to Cameroon, and political heavyweights like His Excellency John Ebong Ngole and Professor Elvis Ngolle Ngolle.
Ekema Patrick Esunge, the current Mayor of the Buea municipality, who led a powerful delegation from the town of legendary hospitality, noted that Churchill Ewumbue-Monono has made the Buea population proud with this publication.
The event ended with the author appending his autograph on copies that were bought on the spot. A similar event shall be organised in Buea subsequently.