Giving back to community: Mighty Santa Caucus awards scholarships to meritorious students.

Chairing the event was the President of the Santa Caucus, Dr Chi Asafor Cornelius, who is also the Secretary General at the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism.

Also present was the Vice President of Mighty Santa Caucus, Ntumkwifon Che Linidolf; the Secretary General, George Nji; Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh; the Mayor of Santa, HRM Fon Doh Gahnyam II, other members of the association and the beneficiaries. 

The 2024 award ceremony took place under the theme: "Preventing inter/intra community conflicts through giving back to the community”. It was under the leadership and guidance of the Head of State, President Paul Biya.

The beneficiaries, ranging from Masters level, Bachelors degree, Higher National Diploma, HND, GCE Advanced and Ordinary levels in both technical and general education, received cash prizes and certificates of excellence from the association for standing out during the previous academic year.

While congratulating the students, the President of Mighty Santa Caucus, Dr Chi Asafor, said the initiative, which always comes up every start of the academic year, is to celebrate hard work and to congratulate students who have nurtured dreams in Santa.

Dr Chi Asafor added that the beneficiaries are beacons of hope who are determined, and have accepted to excel, in spite of the crisis.

"To each student receiving an accolade today, congratulations! You stand here as beacons of hope, proving that through determination and perseverance, no goal is unattainable, and no dream too distant. You have accepted to sail through the unknown, the hidden and the vicious to keep the flag of education flying higher and higher in this Subdivision," Dr Chi Asafor said.

Award ceremony to unite, bring peace in Santa 

The elite of Santa Subdivision also used the event to call for an end to all inter/intra tribal conflicts rocking the Subdivision. 

Dr Chi Asafor called on the elite and population of Santa to forget all their differences and come together to build and develop the Subdivision.

"We are no strangers to the destructive consequences of inter and intra community conflicts. Today, I stand before you not just as the President of the Mighty Santa Caucus, but as a staunch believer in the power of unity, compassion, and community engagement,” he said.

“As we gather here today, let us consider the potent idea of ‘giving back’ not just as an action, but as a philosophy that can transform our community and deter intercommunity conflicts," Dr Asafor added.

On their parts, the SDO of Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, and the DO of Santa, Jules Roger, also urged the elite, parents and the beneficiary students to come together and make Santa a better Subdivision. 

The students were called upon to recognise the efforts of the elite and make sure they fly the flag of Santa higher, as they prepare to take over as Caucus in the years to come.

Beneficiaries appreciate, promise to standout 

Meanwhile, the beneficiaries were all praises for the Mighty Santa Caucus for the awards.

According to Fomekong Goodwill, who came out best from the Subdivision at the GCE Advanced Level with 23 points, the money will help him and his parents as he furthers his education in the university. 

"I usually face a lot of difficulties in school, including payment of school fees, and purchase of other needs. This money will help me a lot and relieve my parents from the load," he said.

On his part, Njei Gisele, a Masters student at the University of Buea with 3.2 Grade Point Average, GPA, said the award will go a long way to boost his studies, as he finalises his research in accountancy.

"I am very happy today because I never knew such an initiative exists in Santa. I want to thank all the members of Mighty Santa Caucus who are ensuring that every student goes back to school and have quality education. My advice to friends and other students is that education is the key, and one can have many opportunities if he or she is educated," Njei said.  

The 2024 Mighty Santa Caucus excellence award ceremony also witnessed the donation of prizes as encouragement to some students who are currently enrolled in government schools across the Subdivision.

About Mighty Santa Caucus

Mighty Santa Caucus came into existence in 2018. It is made up of die-hard CPDM elite and main sponsors of the ruling party activities in Santa Subdivision.

Members include: Dr. Chi Asafor Cornelius-President (Secretary General of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism), Ntumkwifon Che Linidolf-Vice President (PDG Merdolf Sarl); Lumumba Patrice-Treasurer (DAG-MINFI), Kendem John-Financial Secretary (Deputy General Manager, Autonomous Sinking Fund), George Nji-Secretary General, Awa Fonka Augustine-Adviser (West Region Governor) and Taka Tamungang Justine-Member.

It has as main objectives to support President Biya’s actions, galvanise victory for the CPDM at all political consultations, preach peace and national unity as well as champion the development efforts of Santa subdivision.

Barely months after the group was created, members raised more than 28MFCFA to support President Biya’s campaign at the 2018 presidential election in Santa subdivision. 

They equally embarked on a door-to-door campaign throughout Santa subdivision at the 2018 presidential election. 

Little wonder therefore that the ruling party registered a landslide victory in Fru Ndi’s Santa subdivision of origin, at the 2018 presidential election. 

During campaigns leading up to the February 9, 2020, municipal and legislative elections, members of the Santa Caucus contributed over 15MFCFA to support CPDM campaigns in the area. They equally made huge material contributions to support the party’s campaigns in the area.

Members equally took up permanent residence in Santa throughout the campaigns leading up to the February 9 twin polls.   

Analysts attributed the CPDM landslide victory in Santa, at the February 9, 2020, twin polls to the growing popularity of members of the Caucus. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3259 of Monday October 14, 2024