Distinguished Linguist Honoured

By Walter Wilson Nana of ThePostwebedition

Prof. Emmanuel Nges Chia, fine quality Cameroonian linguist, had the rare opportunity to listen to his own eulogies while he is still alive. He was honoured in a dual ceremony of Academic Honours and Book Launch, organised by three of his former students; Dr. Vincent Tanda, Dr. Henry Kah Jick, all in the University of Buea, UB, and Prof. Pius Tamanji of the University of Yaounde I.

Welcoming guests at UB's Amphi 750, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Albert Azeyeh, expressed happiness that after his Faculty passed out the first PhD graduate in UB, it was still the Faculty of Arts organising the pioneer academic honour to an outstanding Professor of Linguistics, Prof. Chia. UB's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Titanji saw Prof. Chia as somebody who knows how to manage fame. "He is a very formal person. How to be great and to be humble at the same time; that's a lesson to take home," he said.

To Prof. Chia, Prof. Titanji said congratulations in five languages; French, English, German, Pidgin and Mungaka. Dr. Tanda, joined by his classmates; Dr. Jick and Prof. Tamanji, all students taught by Prof. Chia some 20 years ago in the then University of Yaounde, edited a book; "Language, Literature and Social Discourse In Africa - Essays In Honour Of Emmanuel Nges Chia."

Presenting Emmanuel Nges Chia; The Man and Linguistics as a Socio-Political Force for the Transformation of Society, Dr. Tanda, who is the Head of the Linguistics Department of UB, said; "All through his (Prof. Chia) career, he has endeavoured to steer clear of falsehood, preferring to remain on the side of truth. In some of his classes, he would pontificate; 'Only the truth will free you." According to Dr. Tanda, Prof. Chia ardently believes that our communities can be developed using only our local resources, which include our languages and culture.

A friend of Prof Chia, Prof. Sammy Beban Chumbow, had these words; "He is a teacher and mentor of generations of varsity scholars. He is soft spoken but profoundly profound, he has impacted the life of individuals and brought peace to warring individuals and communities. He derives satisfaction from what is doable whenever it is whenable." Prof. Chumbow took the opportunity to castigate posthumous medals given to people. He postulated that people who have achieved in their respective communities and the nation in general, should be recognised, while they are still alife.

Responding to his own eulogies, Prof. Chia, who has been serving Cameroon for 32 years and is due retirement at the close of 2009, told the crowd that turned out; "Thank You!!" He saw the sacrifice made on him as enormous. "I'm fortunate to have listened to my own eulogies. The academic honours done to my person will remain indelible in my life," he said. As he retires, Prof. Chia said UB should remain a varsity of excellence; in teaching and contribution to national development. He debunked tribalism within UB circles, arrogance from some students and the sale of marks by some lecturers etc.

Comments

[PETER W. VAKUNTA]

Prof. Emmanuel Chia,
Congratulations on this well-deserved encomium! I was lucky enough to benefit from your intellectual fertility and largesse in my years as an undergraduate student at the University of Yaounde. You've lit the light; the onus is on us, your products,to keep it burning in perpetuity.

Dr Peter Wuteh Vakunta,
University of Wisconsin-Madison,USA.

[Lydienne Bosadi]

Thanks for sharing this piece.
Whenever I glance through this blog, this section has always been my consolation. Proud to be one of the fruits of the Distinguished and Honourable Linguist, I won't stop to say you (including Prof. Chumbow and Dr. Tanda V.) have always been my guide. I crave to defend the knowledge imparted in me by these Honourable and Distinguished Linguists. Once more Congratulations and borrowing the quotes from Prof. Chumbow, You all are teachers and mentors of "generations of varsity scholars".

Bosadi Bebey Lydienne
Global Journalism
Örebro University, Sweden

[Victoria Massa de Bulit]

Dear Mr. Chia,
I'm Victoria Massa (a.k.a. Massita) from Georgetown University. During the last Assembly of the AIIC I met Aatsa Athogo who told me that you were the head of the Linguistics Department of your University and I decided to write to you.
Fondly
Vicky