The Task of Today and Other Seminal Essays

Back Cover

This book brings together six seminal essays by Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon, essays first published mostly in the 1960s in ABBIA (Cameroon Cultural Review) and in the pages of leading newspapers in Cameroon. Preoccupied with the cultural dignity, humanity and freedom of Africa and Africans, Fonlon never contented himself with stating the problem. In a very Socratic and scientifically systematic approach, he proposed solutions as well. Patiently pedagogical, philosophical and steeped in the classics he convinced his readers through the force of argument. In “The Task of Today;” Fonlon invites Cameroonians and Africans to face the challenge of nation-building and development in a world where imperialism is far from dead and buried. “Random Leaves from My Diary” shares his aspirations and challenging experiences as a young seminarian learning to be relevant to God and the Catholic Church. In “Will We Make or Mar” Fonlon is worried, and indeed frustrated,bythetemptationsofmaterialpursuitsandtheloveofmoneythreatening to derail modern elites charged with the postcolonial destiny of African nations. As a member of the Cameroon National Union, in “Under the Sign of the Rising Sun,” Fonlon preaches patriotism and compromise. In “Idea of Literature,” Fonlon expresses his passion for art as the pursuit of beauty and the sublime, stressing, as he was wont to do, that no race or culture has a monopoly of this aspiration. “A Case for Early Bilingualism” invites Cameroonians to take advantage of their English and French linguistic colonial heritage, by embracing bilingualism in early childhood and playing a major role in an interconnected world where interpretation and translation are eternally needed. PROFESSOR BERNARD NSOKIKA FONLON was born 19 November 1924 in Nso, in the North West Region of Cameroon, and died 26 August1986. He rose from humble origins to become one of Cameroon’s most famous sons. He was a scholar, a poet, a politician, a philosopher, a man of action and a man of courage. He communicated, with style, in half a dozen world languages and also used Pidgin English. He moved in opulent circles and collected not money but hearts – of those who got to know him. Bernard Fonlon did not leave a worldly legacy to his family and friends and country. He left much more – ideas that can never be buried and ideals that will challenge new generations. Langaa Research & Publishing Common Initiative Group P.O. Box 902 Mankon Bamenda North West Region Cameroon ...