Dr Manaouda Malachie publishes book on Biya’s 200 best quotes.

Present at the book launch were: the Minister of State, Minister of  Tourism and Leisure, Bello Bouba Maigari; the Minister of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, Hele Pierre; the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taiga; the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Francois Wakata Bolvine; the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development in charge of planning, Paul Njukang Tasong; the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Finance, Yaouba Abdoulaye; the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Jean De Dieu Momo; the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Transport, Njoya Zachariaou and the  Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works in charge of  Roads, Armand Ndjodom.  

Members of other political parties and civil society actors among others also lived the event.

The 200-page book is titled: “Les Plus Belle Citation du Paul Biya” which is loosely translated in English to mean: “The most beautiful quotes of Paul Biya”. 

The piece, published by the Jeune Afrique Economie media group, JAE, costs 10,000 FCFA.

Addressing guests at the book launch, Minister Manaouda Malachie said the publication is a scholarly work that transcends the outings of the Head of State, Paul Biya, since he assumed the highest public office of the land on November 6, 1982.

Dr Manaouda was also particular that the release of the book comes days to the celebration of Biya’s 41^st Anniversary as Head of State on November 6.

Selection of quotes subjective

He stated that the book is not about the life of the Head of State but his position on what he considers as the 200 most inspiring quotes of the Head of State.

“As an author, I am not writing the history of the President of the Republic, you know very well. But I have lived it since my youth. It gives me joy to recount it. I drink from it and it guides me every day,”  Dr Manaouda stated.

Peeping into Biya’s demanding job

The personality of the Head of State, Dr Manaouda said, “towers over us”. He averred that the book is his own way of retracing the trajectory of Paul Biya using the words. 

He detailed that a lot of people lack understanding of the demanding job of being Head of State and the challenges and sensible issues that he handles daily.

Having worked as an attaché at the Presidency in 2003, Dr Manaouda said, he had the privilege of seeing documents treated by President Biya and has an understanding of the work he does. 

In the course of serving country, Biya, he went on, has made inspiring declarations on different occasions that have shaped Cameroon. Such pronouncements, he added, are sometimes easily forgotten and not revisited.

He expressed optimism that readers will, through the book, have a deeper understanding of what Biya has said since becoming Head of State.

Dr Manaouda said he opted to identify the declarations of Biya that stand out, some which are popular and known even by youth who were not born when the Head of State made the pronouncements. 

Some of the quotes, he added, have contextual meaning while others will eventually fit into the Cameroonian society.

Cross section of members of government at book launch

Doing justice to speeches that guide the nation

The member of government said subjectively, he chose the 200 quotes which he considers are the best of Biya, to do justice to speeches that have guided Cameroon as a country since 1982. 

He averred that the quotes cover the major moments of the political life of the Head of State and his proclamations that have guided the leadership of the most complex nation in the world, Cameroon.

Biya’s speeches, he said, take one into different eras and give citizens a feel of his thoughts as a Statesman in different contexts. Biya, he added, masters what he says in different moments; be it political turbulence, human tragedies and others.

Some invitees at heavily-attended ceremony

Biya & the youth

Dr Manaouda also submitted to guests at the event that Biya has a particular interest in the youth. Most of the quotes, he said, were taken from the Head of State’s addresses to young people.

Going by the author, Biya knows his responsibility towards the youth and oftentimes counsels them in the face of political manipulation.

Such consciousness, he remarked, explains the Head of State’s focus on employment, education, training and the involvement of youth in politics in his end-of-year addresses.

In his speeches and declarations, Dr Manaouda said, Biya says much about himself, power and values dear to him.

Actors salute publication

A number of guests who spoke at the event saluted the initiative of the minister. One of them, Jean De Dieu Momo, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, said it was gratifying to see Dr Manaouda engage in scholarly work.

Dr Faustin Domkeu, First Vice President of the Cameroon Professional Football League, LFPC, for his part said, the book will provoke intellectual debate and spur researchers to also work on other declarations of the Head of State.

In this perspective, Dr Faustin said it will then be balance to know if Biya has kept to his words or not depending on further research.

Barrister Herve Nkom, supporter of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, party rather sees in the book, an addendum to the political environment of Cameroon.

Nkom said given that the CPDM faces competition from other parties, the book will give fresh impetus to supporters of the Head of State.

Albert Elimbi Lobe, slammed critics of the book. 

Dr Manaouda Malachie (middle) alongside moderators at unveiling of book

He said, the publication is original, given that it details dates, events and circumstances under which the quotations were made. Such specificities, he argued, make Dr Manaouda’s work original and worth saluting.

Hon Nourane Moluh Hassana of the opposition Cameron Party for National Reconciliation, PCRN, praised the work but said it is imperative to understand if Biya has delivered on the things he said which are quoted in Dr Manaouda’s publication.

For journalist, Valentin Zinga, who made a review of the book, Dr Manaouda’s work is purely scientific and covers Biya’s over 40 years in power. The number of quotes and their context, he said, make the work original. 

Snippet of author

Aged 50, Dr Manaouda Malachie is a civil administrator trained at the National School of Administration and Magistracy, ENAM. He was the best student of his batch. 

The former student of the University of Ngaoundere holds a doctor of philosophy, PhD, certificate in political science and international relations obtained 2014 in Madison International Research Institute. 

He has worked at the Presidency of the Republic and Prime Minister’s Office. Dr Manaouda is a former Secretary General of the Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Water and Energy Resources. The son of a pastor and of native of Mokolo, Mayo Tsanaga Division of the Far North Region, has been a strong and faithful supporter of the CPDM for over 20 years.