Genuine Intellectuals. Academic and Social Responsibilities of Universities in Africa: Academic and Social Responsibilities of Universities in Africa

The Genuine Intellectual

Genuine Intellectuals: Academic and Social Responsibilities of Universities in Africa vii The Genuine Intellectual To Dr. Bernard Fonlon A happy couple of humble background gave him life. In remotest Nso he passed infancy unnoticed noticing. The mirror of culture sealed an image in his memory, And made Fonlon a child of the people, an object of hope. The Whiteman saw in him a man, a bridge hard to damage. He pictured mankind’s harmonious co-existence with day dream success. He dreamt heaven gate free with joyous expectancy; And made Fonlon a staff of his mission, an object of hope. With relentless zeal he explored the Whiteman’s realm to knowledge. He drained the wells within and looked without to Nigeria. Miraculously he traversed evil infested rivers and forests And in Enugu in Fonlon: hope disappointed, hope retained. He forced the National University of Ireland to revise her academic records. He won a place of honour in the Classical Oxford of England. In France, he enkindled a literary fire that flames at the Sorbonne, And Fonlon remained: and investment by mankind an object of hope. Back in Cameroon motherly arms unfolded in triumph. The people recognised him and asked for a helping hand. He headed many a ministry and administered justice, And Fonlon was: the pride of the nation, an object of hope. He sowed the seeds of knowledge in the University of Yaounde. With cultural, religious, philosophical and political writings he inspired creativity. Bernard Nsokika Fonlon viii ABBIA Cameroon Cultural Review he founded and directs, And Fonlon passed for a force to reckon with, an embodiment of hope. While he lives, he listens to the voices wailing in the wilderness. Let us seize and cage our double opportunity. Let us read him and hear him and see him, For Fonlon remains: A GENUINE INTELLECTUAL, an object of hope. By Francis B. Nyamnjoh 18 June 1982 Genuine Intellectuals: Academic and Social Responsibilities of Universities in Africa ix To Every African Freshman and Woman ...