By Ahone Heidi
Professor Kingsley Ngange, deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Cooperation and Relations with the Business World, University of Buea , has been knighted as notable by the Paramount ruler of Buea, Chief Dr Robert ESUKA Endeley. Sango Professor Ngange was knighted alongside two other illustrious son and daughter of the land Nyango Clara Enjema Mbua and Harry Mbua.
The knighting of the trio last week completes the list of 42 appointed notables of the First Class Chiefdom of Buea. The other 39 had been knighted late last year in a grandiose cultural ceremony in Buea.
The Chief in the release announcing the knighting ceremony noted, “ These esteemed personalities have been selected for their contributions to the growth of their community. They are known for their wisdom and commitment to serve others.”
The recognition of Professors Ngange is indicative of his milestone achievements both in the academic spheres in the University of Buea and his selfless contribution in the promotion of culture and development in his community.
“Today marks a significant moment in the history of our kingdom. Never before, in my ancestors’ recorded and oral histories, have we had such a grand occasion for formally knighting individuals. The elders and indigenous knowledge historians have told me the story of Sango Ekeka Maiwo, who earned the notability title of Maiwo; due to his remarkable leadership. What we are doing is unprecedented. The term “Notable” as you may know, originates from the Latin word “Notabilis,” meaning worthy of note and extraordinary. Sango Professor Kingsley Lyonga la Ngange, Nyango Enjema Keka, E molana Yama Mola Harry Mbua, whom we honor today with the esteemed stool of Notabilis, have distinguished themselves through their invaluable contributions to humanity, the kingdom of Buea, and the Mokpe tribe. No matter how small, their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed by this palace and the community. Hence, we believe they merit this recognition,” Chief Endeley said.
MESSAGE FROM THE PARAMOUNT RULER
“As notables of this kingdom, it is wonderful to aspire to be important, recognized, and great. However, true greatness lies in service, Jesus was right when he said he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. The new definition of being a Notable in Buea requires an unquenchable desire to serve. This means anyone in Buea can be a notable because anyone can serve this community. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You don’t have to know the name of the third paramount chief of Buea to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love for our people. These are some of the qualities that this fine man and woman of this palace have demonstrated severally.
Being a notable means you are now part of an army dedicated to preserving our ancestral right to land. Life is a fight for territory, and when you stop fighting for what you want, you automatically get what you don’t want. Economists say one needs three things to generate capital: land, equipment, and labor. The rise and fall of the CDC has shown us that you can purchase equipment and labor, but if you lose your land, you can never become wealthy and self-sustaining. History has entrusted our leadership with an indescribably important destiny – to rebuild our strong community spirit in Buea and protect what truly belongs to the Fako people,” the Chief said.
“As notables of the first-class chiefdom of Buea therefore, I urge you to give so much time to the improvement of this community that you have no time to criticize others, to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the opinions of others to trouble you. Above all, leave little fights for little people, » he advised.
In reaction Professor Ngange acknowledged the special honour given to his modest person, promising to stand to the challenge of the recognition.
“ It’s a great honour and I commit to follow according to the directives of the Paramount ruler. We will keep putting people first in our service to humanity and the community,” he said.
