By George Etoh-Anzah in Bamenda.
The Mighty Santa Caucus, a prominent community organization, celebrated academic excellence and promoted unity during its 3rd annual scholarship awards ceremony. The event, held on October 12, 2024 at the Santa women’s empowerment hall, recognized the achievements of 300 outstanding students from the Santa Subdivision who excelled during the 2023/2024 academic year.
A total of 10 million CFA was distributed among the beneficiaries, showcasing the Caucus’ commitment to supporting the education of the community’s youth. The event was graced by the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including the Mayor of Santa, His Royal Highness Samkie Elvis, members of the Caucus and Dr. Chi Asafor, the President of the Mighty Santa Caucus among other top ranking officials.
In his address, HRH Samkie Elvis emphasized the importance of education as a catalyst for development. “It is for you to set the same example of the leaders today to others in future,” he said, urging the recipients to become future leaders of the Santa Caucus. He also condemned any attempts to sow division within the community.
Dr. Chi Asafor, a renowned scholar and community leader, who was crowned Eye of the Santa Fons at last year’s edition, highlighted the significance of hard work, dedication, and resilience in achieving academic success. He praised the recipients for their outstanding performance and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence. “Let us pick up our books and change the world as no gun has ever changed anything,” he said.
Dr. Chi Asafor who also doubles as the Secretary General at the Bilingualism and Multiculturalism Commission also emphasized the importance of giving back to the community and fostering unity. “In the heart of our beloved Santa, we have nurtured dreams, and as these dreams sprout into the flowers of accomplishment, it is our duty to honor those who have shown us what is possible when one dares to strive for excellence even in the heart of adversity,” Dr. Asafor stated.
This year’s theme the President of the Mighty Santa Caucus mentioned, dwells on “preventing inter/intra community conflicts through giving back to the community”.
“We are no strangers to the destructive consequences of inter and intra community conflicts. Today, I stand before all not just as the President of the Mighty Santa Caucus, but as a staunch believer in the power of unity, compassion, and community engagement. In times when differences seem amplified, when the air is often thick with misunderstanding and discord, it is essential for us to remember that beneath the ornamental labels of culture, ethnicity, and belief, we all share an aspiration for peace, prosperity, and belonging. So, let us consider the potent idea of giving back not just as an action, but as a philosophy that can transform our community and deter intercommunity conflicts”. The Mighty Santa Caucus President elaborated.
In a bid to foster cohesion, Dr. Chi Asafor Cornelius said it will be proper for all and sundry to continue to join and share in the vision of the President of the Republic, H.E Paul BIYA in his vision to “promote national unity and peace”.
The Divisional Officer for Santa, Jules Roger Nkolo, urged the community’s elites to work together for the development of the subdivision. He commended the Mighty Santa Caucus for its efforts in promoting education and fostering peace.
The SDO for Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, encouraged the teachers to continue nurturing the future leaders with hope and resilience. He expressed his admiration for the achievements of the scholarship recipients and urged them to continue striving for excellence.
Recipients who excelled at the PhD, Master’s, Degree, HND, and students of both grammar and technical Advanced level and Ordinary level were rewarded for their academic excellence.
The recipients, who excelled at various academic levels, expressed their gratitude for the scholarship awards. They shared their experiences and challenges faced during their academic journey and emphasized the importance of education in their lives.
One of the recipients, Nji Giselle who recorded a GPA of 3.2 at the University of Buea, speaking to the media, advised his peers that education remains key through which they can have several opportunities.
For his part, Fomekong Godwill who scored 23 points at the Advanced level examination said “I faced many challenges during last academic year one of which was not being able to pay fees and buy other school materials. With this scholarship received from Santa Caucus, it will help me to pay my fees and other school materials this year.”
The Mighty Santa Caucus, established to promote peace, development, and the socioeconomic advancement of the Santa subdivision, has been actively involved in various community initiatives, including providing financial assistance to needy students, organizing scholarship awards, and fostering harmony within the community.
Through its annual scholarship awards ceremony, the Mighty Santa Caucus continues to inspire and empower the youth of Santa, fostering a brighter future for the community.
Enter Fon of Mulomzie III:
Talking to The Horizon, The traditional ruler of Mbei village,Fon Muomzie III told The Horizon in Mbei school resumption has not only been about gifts. “I championed the process to clean schools and their surroundings,organised sensitization meetings and personally I pushed for the registration of every child in my village area. He opines that the drive is part of his ideology to ensure no child is left behind in the education process . Hear him: ” Mbei is doing everything for school reopening, I mobilized my population to clean up Government school Santa,GTC Santa, and others. I am working with principals and my development association and thank God you heard Mbei being mentioned as one of the highest community that championed the resumption. I am a promoter of Caucus, our children are our future and we must support them financially and morally, I do so through the provision of prizes”. Fon Mukomzie besides being a veritable education promoter also advocates for tree planting with a unique vision.”Of recent I am clamouring for a school of agriculture with interest in agriculture for the cultivation of the practice of tree planting. I have made several trips abroad where I see some communities in dire need of natural trees,back in Cameroon we have all it takes to have these trees so we must do our best to encourage this, it is my unique way to give back to my community”.
According to seasoned senior administrator, MuluhTakwi, the education of the child is an undeniable act which should be treated intentionally and with the last energy. ” I am what I am today thanks to education either at primary,secondary,university and professional. I have reached up to these heights thanks to education. I encourage children to be educated because I was once there and I am aware what it offers”. He added: ” it is horrible to think anyone anywhere can advocate for school boycott”. Though the elite are said to be doing their best to encourage resumption, he encouraged the administrative class of the sub-division to do all in their capacity to ensure the schools are functional.
