Bernard Fonlon

Celebration of the Legacies of Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon

A CAMYOSFOP informative forum, Yaounde, 3rd September 200427th August 2004 makes eighteen years since Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon passed away from this world. Yet, he remained a legend in the making of a reunified Cameroon and the Cameroon University system. As a genuine intellectual and master of philosophy, Fonlon had a wonderful vision, probably drawn from his inspirations and wide contacts around the world. Today, Fonlon’s vision of a complete University is more of a reality especially with the Cameroon University system. Many Cameroonians have equally drawn lots of inspirations from Fonlon’s teachings and publications; these in many minds, Fonlon remain to be a burning candle in their lives.

Program for the CAMYOSFOP Fonlon Forum

Programme for the Celebration of the Legacies and Launching of the Project to Publish a Manual on the Legacies of Prof. Bernard Nsokika Fonlon. Friday 3rd September 2004. 5 pm prompt at Hôtel des Deputés Yaounde.5:00-5.30 pm. Arrival of invitees 5:30-6:00 pm. Exhibition of the works of and works on Fonlon. 6:00-6:15 pm. Introduction of MCs (Yah Gladys Viban) A word of prayer A word of welcome by the Executive Director of CAMYOSFOP An opening speech by the Chairman of the occasion (H.E. Kibuh Tume Henry) 6:15-8: 20 pm. Testimonies on the legacies of Prof. Fonlon. Each testimony will take a maximum of 15 minutes, introduced by a song or poem. Click here to print or download complete program in PDF formatClick here to print or download official invitation in PDF format

Dr. Bernard Fonlon - A Tribute

By Pamela Mesanga Martin - August, 1986

Published in Cameroon Life Vol. 1, No. 8, March 1991 p. 38Brain child of Philosophers Endeavour's utmost proof Never daunted never despaired Always serving others Riches of the mind displayed Dedicated Fonlon Nation's pride fulfilled in words Serving to the last, his gifts O'er continents have spread Kind and ever helpful Inspiring and devout Kamerun indeed has lost A son so rare and dear For ever you'll be immortal On volumes pages writ Now we are left without you Lost for a little while Oh! the flame will blaze for ever Nsokika Farewell

ALA Tributes to Fonlon

The tributes to Fonlon contained in this section titled ALA Bulletin Tributes were originally published in the African Literature Association (ALA) Bulletin, Volume 12, Number 3 of Summer 1986, just months after the death of Bernard Fonlon. They are from some of the people who knew him best and/or worked closely with him on numerous projects.

“Bernard Fonlon of Nso : The Pathfinder”

By Professor Aliko Songolo, University of California – IrvineThe news of Bernard Fonlon’s death reached me as Cameroon was mourning the more than 1700 deaths of the tragedy of lake Nyos, in his region of origin. He died in far away Canada, unable to be with his countrymen in their hour of sorrow.

“Remembering Bernard Fonlon”

By G. D. Killam, University of GuelphDr Bernard Fonlon’s contribution to Cameroonian life in politics and education is salutary and will remain so. He held important ministries and built for Cameroon an airlines and telecommunications network, a public transport service, a health and welfare system - all of which make a proud legacy. His tireless effort in securing the reputation of the Department of African Literature, the only such Department in the world, adds to the uniqueness of Dr. Fonlon’s career and further establishes his vision.

“Bernard Fonlon: In Memoriam”

By Richard Bjornson, The Ohio State UniversityThe death of Bernard Fonlon in an Ottawa room was completely overshadowed by the horror of the Lake Nyos disaster that occurred some thirty miles from his birthplace of Banso in the North-West Province of Cameroon. In some way, the very fact that he died in semi-obscurity is symbolically appropriate, for despite the accomplishments of his life, Fonlon was a humble man, who never really sought the limelight.

“Nécrologie : Bernard Fonlon n’est plus »

Par I. C. Tcheo, Université de Yaoundé

La pénible réalité : le 27 août 1986, Shu Faî Docteur Bernard Nsokika Fonlon a rendu l’âme dans un hôpital à Ottawa, au Canada.Il avait quitté le Cameroun au début du mois de mai 1986, pour aller recevoir un D.Lit. à l’Université de Guelph. Il se proposait de passer, par la suite, l’année académique 86/87 aux Etats-Unis, dans le cadre d’un programme Fulbright. Mais la mort ne lui donnera pas l’occasion de réaliser ce projet. Elle l’a surpris en pleine activité et, désormais, nous ne parlerons plus de Bernard Fonlon qu’au passé.

BOOK REVIEW: Dr. Bernard Nsokika Fonlon: An Intellectual in Politics

Daniel Noni Lantum, Dr. Bernard Nsokika Fonlon: An Intellectual in Politics (Gown and Throne), Yaoundé: SOPECAM, 1992, 80pp. No price Indicated.

Review by Martin Jumbam

(First published in the weekly tabloid The Sketch, No 22 of April 9, 1993).