At graduation ceremony: Fotabe University founder says institution committed to nurturing African entrepreneurial leaders.

Dr Fotabe who has a stellar record of elevating academic excellence and fostering entrepreneurship was speaking Saturday June 29.

This was during FUNIC’s 2024 graduation ceremony. At least some 102 graduating students were sent into the job market.

Speaking at the gathering attended by key figures from the business world, Dr Fotabe Elmine reminded her audience that the Fotabe University is committed to cultivating thoughtful, responsible, fearless leaders who will spearhead transformative change in Cameroon and Africa.

The serial entrepreneur and Italy-trained human resource management expert, said their mission at FUNIC is to raise a new generation of African Intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial leaders who uphold the values of integrity and hard work. 
She said: “At FUNIC, the new generation we are raising is not defined by spans of time. We are raising a new generation which is a hybrid of all the generations.  We ensure that this new generation values hard work, flexibility, collaboration, continuous learning and development, innovation and creativity”.

“It is a generation that will make a difference by doing three things,” she added.

Journey to the top

Dr Fotabe Elmine wasn’t born with a golden spoon. To call things by their real names, the native of Manyu walked her way to the top through hard work and dedication. She is a self-made woman who now walks on the path dreaded by her contemporaries. 

Speaking at the Douala event Saturday, Dr Fotabe Elmine, told her audience that the circumstances leading to the creation of FUNIC wasn’t that of a bed of roses.

Hear her: “As many of you already know, I was the co-founder of a polytechnic in Buea. In 2014, I decided to part ways with my co-founder and founded FUNIC. The night I created Fotabe University was one of the most important nights of my life. Everyone in my household had gone to bed. I stayed up in the dark on my bed and asked myself many questions, among which were: Do I really want to create a university?

She continued: “I asked myself what difference I would make. That is when I thought of the mission and the vision. I sat up and wrote them down. Then I asked myself if I had a model I wanted to emulate. One institution came to mind - Harvard! But then I told myself I needed to find a model in Africa. One that embodies our realities, our aspirations, and mirrors my mission”.

“I picked up my phone, went on Google, and did my research. Then I stumbled upon the African Leadership Academy. It is not a university, but the mission is so much in sync with what I envisioned that I instantly fell in love with that academy. I looked up their founder and discovered Fred Swaniker, a man I have come to greatly admire,” she added.

Addressing the graduating students at the Douala event, Dr Fotabe Elmine urged them to leverage the power of their minds, showcase the strengths of Africa as a continent, and highlight the uniqueness of Cameroon as a nation. 

She has charged them to focus on what truly matters citing “the value you bring and not the certificate you hold”.

Other speakers take turns

Meanwhile, taking to the rostrum during Saturday’s event, the Keynote speaker at the commencement ceremony, Clement Yuyun who is Deputy General Manager of Union Bank of Cameroon, advised the graduates to cultivate reading habits, maintain proper sleep, healthy eating, and exercise, and stay professional. He also charged the graduates to be reflections of the values obtained during their stay at FUNIC.

In his salutatory speech, Ledan Nzokwe, an undergraduate Software Engineering student and recipient of the Outstanding Orator Award, reminisced about their early days as students. 

He acknowledged their initial overconfidence and expressed gratitude to the faculty and staff of FUNIC for their comprehensive teaching.

The valedictory address by Nnoge Lovis Nkede, a senior IT Projects Manager at Orange Cameroun and MBA in Project Management graduate, highlighted the graduates' readiness to change the world.

Nnoge has assured the faculty and parents of their preparedness.

Other highlights of the event included the award of attestations and special awards. Ndikombui Nigel Mingoh, Founder and CEO of Goodwill Group Ltd received the award of Alumnus of the year.

The story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3157 of Wednesday July 3, 2024