The Divisional Delegation of Secondary Education, Kupe Muanenguba in collaboration with the University of Buea Library and Information Services and the Summa Cum Laude (Sango Madiba) Information and Learning Resource Centre, Muebah-Nninong, has trained principals and teachers from twenty five schools in the division, and a Community Library Volunteer, to revamp deplorable conditions of secondary school libraries.
The three day workshop on “Library Management, Promoting Learning, Reading and Writing Culture in Secondary Schools in Kupe Muanenguba Division,” took place from the 3rd to the 5th of December 2024 at the Summa Cum Laude Information and Learning Resource Centre, Muebah-Nninong, Bangem Sub Division, with the financial support of the Ephraim Abwe Diabe Platforms of Excellence (EAD-PFE).
Welcoming participants at the workshop at the opening ceremony on December 3, the regent Clan Head of Nninong, Nhon Ekwenongene Alexis on behalf of the Clan Head who doubles as the Chief of Muebah, HRM Chief Nhon Kiong Mbaah Ekwelle Emmanuel Makoge, enjoined participants to be focused and participatory.
The regent lauded Dr. Ephraim Abwe Diabe and Nye Mbuog (the wife) for their selfless sacrifice to impact knowledge and transform communities through the Summa Cum Laude Information and Learning Resource Centre, Muebah-Nninong and the EAD-PFE.
The Divisional Delegate of Secondary Education, Njikang Peter Mejame also thanked Dr. Abwe Diabe, Community Volunteer in Chief of the he Summa Cum Laude (Sango Madiba) Information and Learning Resource Centre, for his great vision for educational excellence.
While regretting that schools in Kupe Muanenguba are not equipped with library facilities, he said the training of twenty five schools on the management of school libraries, reading and writing skills is timely.
Njikang told participants that they are expected to creat awareness on the role of libraries in their various schools to initiate and ignite reading and writing culture.
He promised to constantly follow up and visit these schools to ensure that they have functional libraries and journalism clubs.
Dr. Abwe Diabe’s Story
The Community Volunteer in Chief told participants that the Summa Cum Laude (Sango Madiba) Information and Learning Resource Centre has a technical Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Buea, which is already materializing in the workshop.
He said God has wired the power of transformation on everyone and with a little effort, they are bound to succeed.
“I was born to the poorest family in this village and the rapid transformation of where I am today is as a result of the power of education”. He disclosed.
According to Dr. Abwe secondary schools in Cameroon and Kupe Muanenguba in particular are either short of text books, computers, and internet to assist students achieve their educational goals.
He said an equipped school library promotes a reading culture to users.
“I believe that two years from now we shall have functional libraries in every school in Kupe Muanenguba”. He added.
The Community Volunteer in Chief was optimistic that with the setting up of journalism clubs in schools, the reading and writing culture will be enhanced amongst students.
Dr. Abwe appreciated the Deputy Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, Minister Elung Paul Che, Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Canada, H.E. Ngole Philip Ngwese and the General Manager of CSPH, Okie Johnson Ndoh for supporting the workshop.
The Workshop
Within two days, Professor. Rosemary M. Shafack, Director of Library and Information Services, University of Buea, trained participants on Library as an Information Service and Delivery Tool, Acquisition and Organization of Information Resource Centre and the Circulation of Information Resources and Records Management.
Also, the Divisional Delegate of Communication, Kupe Muanenguba, Dr. Olive Ejang Tebug trained on Improving Reading and Writing Skills, Techniques of Transmitting the Skills to Learners and the Setting up of Journalism Clubs in Schools, as Pathway to Improve Reading and Writing Culture.
Meanwhile the Divisional Delegate of Secondary Education talked on Practical Formal Writing and Engaged Reading.
Christmas Gift to Participants
While donating Christmas gifts to all participants at the closing ceremony, Abe Abwe Diabe, the Nye Mbuog (wife) of Dr. Abwe Diabe preached on God’s unconditional love to mankind. She told everyone to always love and forgive each other in order to live in peace.
“Life is so brief to spend in unforgiveness and pains. We are those who suffer if we don’t forgive”. She disclosed.
At the end of the workshop, Dr. Abwe Diabe and wife donated a set of books to all the libraries of the participating schools.
They equally donated six computers to some selected schools in Bangem, Nguti and Tombel Sub Divisions.
By Olive Ejang
