Nguasong Martin Anu - Online Memorial Website

As a younger brother growing up in Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) Belleuh with you, I was fascinated by your role in church as sacristan and altar/mass server. I loved to follow in your footsteps in liturgical worship/celebration. I admired your behavior and your love for God as you often knelt, sat and moved about the altar with reverence, attention and dignity. I waited for the day when I would play a similar role as an acolyte. Lo and behold, without going through much preparation, you encouraged me during one fine morning mass in 1961 to join the team of mass servants. It was an extreme privilege and after mass, I felt a tremendous sense of fulfilment and excitement. From that day, I joined the RCM Belleuh college of acolytes. More so, I have each day on waking prayed and asked the lord to teach me to serve and not be served. I am grateful to God for granting the prayer. Thanks to you my heart continued to be cleansed from evil and distracting thoughts; as my understanding became enlightened.

I bring out the above opening paragraph, to attest to the fact that you were one anointed and respected elder, soft-spoken, principled, kind with a very positive outlook on life, always all smiles. Brother Martin, you were a visionary educator and entrepreneur besides being so humane. We can only remember your deeds through memories as we continue to thank the Lord for affording many of us the opportunity to know you personally, interact with you through our Fulbright programs. May these memories continue to carry us through your painful absence as you live forever in our hearts till we meet at the lord’s appointed time. May our days not be so full and busy that we forget how precious and fragile our time on earth really is as we go about with quiet confidence praying and fulfilling God’s will and knowing we have His gracious hand in our life.

Brother Anucam, we trust the Lord accepts you unconditionally; and may you join hands with OUR beloved mission parents and other ancestors in God’s kingdom to intercede for the bereaved “family and friends” – especially Evelyne, Kennedy, Mirble, etc. etc. that His favour continues to surround … like a shield. Go well and may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace!

Fondly Remembered on this 2nd Anniversary! - The Achenjang family

Mr. Martin Nguasong (Fuanweh), I got to be close to you, your better half Evelyn, your mom, and others in your family through my husband, Prof. Michael Ndobegang. I cried out in disbelief when I was informed that you have passed on.  Even more so because during our recent phone conversation you were so positive about life, you sounded happy, with an awesome vision.

 

There is a Bangwa saying that “ Legwui a tung nwoh me nfven “ (death emerges from the back).  Is this what happened? Hardly did any one of us imagine that by this day our communication would only be one way. I turn to God Almighty for solace and at the same time render a lot of gratitude for your life.

 

Thank you for your love and generosity. You brought joy to many hearts and smiles to many faces.

Thank you for your love for Nature, (a hobby from childhood, you told me so) and your efforts to get others to love it too.

Thank you for your serenity, encouragement and understanding.

Thank you for your creativity and your readiness to share.

Thank you for your humility and simplicity.

We will continue to pray for you and the family you have left behind. Please pray for us and rest in peace.

 

Agnes NDOBEGANG

 

LETTER TO A VERY DEAR FRIEND

Nkwale ge,

 

This is too painful to be accepted without a fight.  Yes, but can I?   The one who has taken this decision on you is too strong for the weakling that I am. Or else, how do I understand that you could be snatched from us/me in plain daylight and we/I won’t even cut off someone’s ear? Even you, the fleet footed junior football player of St Georges let Him lay hands on you?  But there goes a life, a childhood friendship nurtured since we first met at RCM Fontem many decades ago.

 

From St. Georges in 1965, we parted ways to try to seek apprenticeship in the image of the pedagogic gurus of the time, like our own Pa Nkér.   So Bonjongo and Nchang helped convince us of our mission. Since then and in many and varied ways we grew to execute that mission in our own little ways through knowledge transmission, community service and human empowerment.  But Nkwale, you noiselessly and so meaningfully and effectively outshone many of us.  I mean it, yes and truly.

 

You impacted lives and the evidence of your achievements and accomplishments abounds.  A silent but very audacious yet selfless counselor and philanthropist, effective  teacher, pedagogue, entrepreneur, writer, editor, and publisher.  A successful pioneer market gardener (even where it was thought to be impossible), animal farmer, and a reliable pillar for the sustaining of St. George’s… what have I left out?  Lately your passion had become a crusade for the “restoration” of Belleuh; and the St. Georges’ immediate neighborhood, in order to re-establish the missionary and educational glory of the area of RCM School Fontem in its history and historicity. That is what we were talking about before the Lord rang the bell, and you had to go. Ripe old age you did not attain, but you undoubtedly accomplished that which goes with ripe age. We thank God for who you were and what you did. You will live for ever in our minds and hearts.

 

Please greet Nkemaleboo, tell him Aggie and I remain so endeared to his wise counsel. May we find what we need to keep Mami Lucia and your darling Eve always smiling despite this painful hurt and separation.   Nkwale ge, ogin mbong. God knows, we shall meet again, and life will be anew in that world. So we are told and believe.  Ewa-o.

Your Friend, Hon. Prof. Michael NDOBEGANG.

 (1965 Graduating Class of St Georges’ RCM School, Fontem,).

When you are joyful, when you say yes to life and have fun and people project positivity all round you, you become a sun in the center of  every constellation and people want to be near you. I am talking About Pa ANU who through  singular acts of heroism, lived a selfless, sacrificed and rised out obscurity, touched our lives and imprinted themselves on our memories forever. Pa you taught us the values of life ,you invested on human and not things which is the opposite in our world today.

Daddy you ran a good race, fought a good fight and kept your faith till the end.You left a foot print behind . Even though we mourn, we mourn with joy because we know you are with  God Almighty. We will forever miss you because nobody can fill the gap you have created.

Adieu Dad till we meet again.                                    

A lot of people in and out of Cameroon have loss a great man. Pa was an epitome of the kind of people we need in our world. He was generous, kind, a peace maker, a lover of unity and togetherness. He was illustrious and industrious. He touched many lives including mine, his work ethic was just outrageous. Always going out of his way for others. He left a void that might never be filled. He was my hero and he will always be one of my heroes. May he rest in peace.

I call you my dad and people stare, wondering how you are my dad. You became part of my life at a very critical time. As a young girl, facing a lot of challenges and peer pressures, you stepped in and molded me. Your advice to me shaped my life and changed me to the woman I am today. You thought me to be strong, independent and to always believe in myself. You empowered me with the books I read while working for Ebony Book Center. That did not only change the course of my life from a degree in teaching but to a successful enterprising lady.

I remember calling you on a certain Sunday evening asking you if you would like to try treatment in the US and without hesitation, you said YES. I was petrified. At that instant, I knew that things were not alright considering your dislike about the US. Finally, you arrived the US and about two hours later, you were admitted in the hospital. For two months you stayed at the hospital eating American foods which you detested very much. You would ask your visitors to sneak your African foods and the nurses will get angry with you. But for how long could they remain angry? You were sweet and fun to be around, always making people laugh and sharing tales from Africa.

When you were discharged from the hospital, the joy that emanated from you was contagious. Your happiness could be compared to a slave being liberated. And the best part daddy was when you saw me for the first time after your eye surgery. You screamed “Awung, I can see you”. And together with your ophthalmologist, we danced in his office. I will forever hold this day dear to my heart.

 I am saddened…I am grieving…I am a singer but without a song. Daddy, your shoulder was always available for me to cry on. I confined to you my fears and concerns and every time, you reminded me of the lone footprint on the seashore. You reminded me that at my most vulnerable time, Jesus was holding me. I am comforted because I know HE held you too especially when you took your last breath. You fought a good fight; you have finished your race and now, its time to take your rest. We joked about your funeral and I promised that I must be present. Little did I know that the day was fast approaching. You laughed and told me it was needless to come. Unfortunately daddy, I cannot keep my promise to you. I cannot come to Cameroon for your funeral and that breaks my heart even more. Life will never be the same without you…no more arguments between us daddy.

I can imagine the Lord saying to you ‘Welcome into my kingdom my good and faithful servant…

I miss you daddy…you will forever remain green in my heart.

 Rest in the bosom of your creator…Awung Mirble.

Pa ANUCAM commonly known by all, you have been an inspiration not just to me, but to Lebialem people and Cameroonians at large. You are a wonderful Daddy, a life changers not just to me but to a host of Lebialem sons and daughters. I am what I am today because of you. I remember when you picked me up when I graduated from the University and was jobless. How you inspired me with your ideologist and motivation. You taught me and my generation how to fish and be great fishers of men for life. I wish you had stayed a bit longer to reap the fruit of your labour. Only God can fill the vaccum your sudden departure have created in my heart and Lebialem people in particular. Daddy we love you, But God want you to inspire another generation elsewhere in the planet earth. You are with Angels of God, safe journey best Daddy ever, We missed you. From your son. Khumbah Fred (Nkem Khu as you always called me)

 

(Loud) Emelda: “Mr. Nguasong!!”

(Loud) Daddy: “Emelda Nsoesie!!”

(Louder) Emelda: “Mr. Nguaaasooong!!”

(Louder) Daddy: “Emelda Nsoooesiiie!!”

(Even Louder) Emelda: “Mr. Nguaaaaasooooong!!”

(Even Louder) Daddy: “Emelda Nsoooooesiiiiie!!” and we go louder and louder until we get tired.

So, few questions for you Daddy

Why have you made me lose the desire to help?

What happens to all the things we bought knowing you will use them when you return in September?

What about the projects we talked about?

Where is the husband you said you will give me?

Daddy, I am going to be very brief since you chose to make your stay in my life brief, however leaving a huge impact.  You gave me reason to want to visit Cameroon again. I felt like God had given me a new dad, but that feeling lasted just six months. We went everywhere together. I did everything in my power to make you happy and comfortable in the USA. I even became a ‘nurse’. We watched movies, went to church, to shopping malls, to restaurants, to hospitals, for dialysis, cooked, ate, shared ideas and even argued together. I don’t think all through your stay in the USA anybody knows you better than I did and I rejoice for this because I had the opportunity and the time to build my lasting memories with you.

Before you left for Cameroon I told you I will miss you, but death has made this feeling permanent; so I tell you today “Daddy I will Forever Miss You”. I wish I could be there to see you one last time and tell you” I Love You” because I still cannot believe that you are gone. My heart bleeds immensely at this time but I know God loves you more and I am happy to have been part of the story of a great man and a wonderful daddy to many.

Bye-Bye Daddy

Bye-Bye Mr. Nguaaaaaasooooong!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Pa Anu My best Daddy ever. No word can be used to describe your good deeds, you mean everything to me and my family. We couldn’t have succeeded this far without you. Your creativity and inspiration completely turn my life around. We thank the God Almighty for using you to change my story and many others. You will be remembered from generation to generation for the lives you have changed in our community and country. A breed of future Ministers, Senators, academicians are in the making in Lebialem and Cameroon at large via your publications, countless donations of books, personnel and furniture to schools. Daddy my children kept asking me when is “Pa Anucam coming to stay with us in America again”. I don’t know what to tell your children Pa, how are they going to take it when I tell them you can’t come again.Daddy who is going to give us those sweet smiles you always gave us.We will missed you Daddy.Safe journey to Heaven.

From your daughter. Manyi Maureen and family.

The last decade has been years of unsurpassed feeling of fulfillment, benefiting from your great wealth of wisdom, knowledge and being. Your humble, gentle, caring and kind nature has been so transformational in the way I now view life. You have been an icon in my everyday life and I’m so grateful to God for the impact you have made in what and whom I am today. Daddy, you always took interest about everyone’s wellbeing and you were available at all time to provide a leaning shoulder. Now those shoulders has been taken away from us. Who will provide those shoulders again? Who shall I call for advice? I remember vividly in 2012 when I called you to say I have found the person to marry. You immediately got ‘into work’. It is as a result of your hard work that we are happy today and saying ‘thank you’ is an understatement.

 

You ran a great race while here on earth, and even, fought the best fight; so it is without doubt that you are with your Creator. We were expecting you back in September so we could continue to tap from your greatness but God being omniscient decided to call you home before we could have the chance to greet you farewell. While it is so difficult to accept the vacuum created by your demise, we rejoice because we know the space where you have gone to occupy. Daddy, I will forever miss you but I know I will always find comfort knowing that your lessons to me will live forever.

 

Requiescat in pace Pa Anucam, till we meet again!

 

Pa ANUCAM as we always called him was a symbol of peace, humility, wisdom and intelligence. This is a man whose philanthropy was unimaginable. He never helped people because he wanted a name or any publicity, that's why you never heard that Pa ANUCAM had done this or that in the media. However, behind the scenes, he was doing marvelous things and making things happened not only for the hardworking but also for the less fortunate. He did not only dream or believe in dreams. He lived his dreams of making the world a better place.

Pa has gone too soon, may be fulfilling the adage that good things don't last. However, I don't really like or believe in such an adage. Good things should last for the betterment of this world. The saddest part of the story is that pa leaves behind his own mother. That's really bad.

Pa ANUCAM was an accomplished publisher. He was arguably the best publisher west of the Mongo in the Southern Cameroons (English Speaking part of Cameroon). His books are used in all bilingual schools across LA Republique du Cameroun.  Despite government deliberate refusal to clamp down on those plagiarizing ANUCAM'S book, pa ANUCAM the publisher, kept it going. Even in cases where government neocolonial administrators preferred foreign published books to local publishers, that did not stop ANUCAM from continuing doing what he did with zeal, intellect, competence determination and alot of sacrifices. He once said the goal of him publishing was not to get his books into school curriculum but to spread knowledge and expose Cameroonian writers. This, he did with flare. 

Pa ANUCAM has gone but his legacy is here to stay and it will continue to shine until thy kingdom come. Resquiescat in pace Pater ANUCAM.  

The photo attached is courtesy Facebook. Crowds in Lebialem await the arrival of Pa ANUCAM's corpse at the Mary Health of Africa Hospital, Fontem, lebialem, Cameroon.

Dear Martin,
It is difficult  to believe, talk less of imagining that you are no longer with us. However, that is the world . There is an Nweh saying that death comes always from behind. It is a hidden but an unavoidable enemy. When we sat down six days before you left on your return journey to Cameroon and planned several projects for the future none of us imagined what was coming so soon.
 You have no regrets at all because you lived the life, you left an imprint on both family members, friends and the world at large. You have therefore simply travelled the way the rest of us will follow when and how we do not know. Fare well and we urge you to resever us a place on the high table when we meet you one day. I believe those loving hands that are going to happily receive you will include your loving father Pa Mathias alas "Nkemalebu" classmates like Sahmen, Noumbisie, Awung Peter, Esong Joseph, Atem Christopher, Clement Nkemasong and a host of us who surely went a head to prepare a place for your grandiose reception.
    I know for certain that your beloved mother Mami Lucia, your dear brother Vincent and Evelyn your charming wife will find it near impoossible to believe that you are no longer there. You have surely left behind a world of uncounted ANUCAM personal and business friends to keep your name for eternity.
 Have a safe journey.
Mbeseha