Merited recognition: Biya knights Menchum Valley DO for dedicated service to nation.

The civil administrator was among thousands of recepients who received state recognitions on May 20.

A selfless and astute public administrator, Foncha Azise was singled out for his dedicated service to the nation.

The distinction from the Head of State, didn’t come much as a surprise, at least to people close to the public administrator.

Timely recognition

The general notion across Cameroon of civil administrators trained at ENAM, is that they administer their people in same manner like colonial masters did to African countries during the pre-independence era. 

But there is an exception to that hasty generalisation. His name is Foncha Azise Christian. Serving as Divisional Officer, DO of Menchum Valley Subdivision for several years, Foncha Azise is versatile administrator and a highly cerebrated personality.

The very unassuming, cool, calm, and collected individual, is a man of uncommon finesse.

For his admirers, Foncha Azise is an embodiment of goodness.

His selfless attitude, humble disposition and leadership charisma, are worthy of emulation.

His vast knowledge, experience, positive track records, and good attributes, are clearly evident in the discharge of his official responsibilities as DO of Menchum Valley Subdivision.

Since taking command as DO of Menchum Valley with base in Benakuma, Foncha Azise has had a successful, remarkable, and an impactful tenure in the area. 

His tenure has been characterised with a lot of verifiable achievements including the promotion of work ethics, sustenance of discipline and actions to ensure complete return of peace to the Subdivision.

Foncha Azise has deployed his ingenuity in bringing the people closer to the administration of the area. 

His constant interaction with the people has been paying off with Menchum Valley Subdivision currently relative peace amidst the ongoing armed conflict in the Anglophone regions.

A dedicated administrator who usually radiates happiness with his constant charming smile, Foncha Azise, who is man of few words, but much action, has never allowed the lust of office or the grandeur of status/position to overwhelm him and dictate his opinion, nor direct his mindset.

Rather, he is a God-fearing boss, mentor, and leader, who leads with kindness, compassion, and empathy. 

He is a listening boss, who respects the opinion of his subordinates, as he never sees himself as having the monopoly of wisdom. Simply put, he is just 100% a good man extraordinary!

A very modest personality, a revered civil administrator, and analytical problem-solver, Foncha Azise, is a lover of social growth. 

A socialite and community development advocate, Foncha Azise’s organisation of a sports tournament in December last year in Benakuma, remains a testament to his resolve in promoting social cohesion and living together in his administrative area. 

The competition was the first of its kind to have been organised by an administrative authority in the area. 

Foncha Azise had personally bankrolled the organisation of the competition which included handball and football games. If Menchum Valley is today enjoying relative peace, credit goes to Foncha Azise, who has opted for peaceful means to talking Amba boys out of the bushes. 

His actions have been paying off with so many separatist fighters dropping arms. As a man of few words, Foncha Azise doesn’t sing his own praises. 

A discreet administrator, Foncha Azise rarely plays to the gallery. 

Constantly in his base, Foncha Azise relates with the low and the mighty without discrimination. 

This of course accounts for the admiration he has been attracting. 

Loved by the people of Menchum Valley, the young administrator has opted to do the job assigned him, leaving his actions to speak for themselves.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3456 of Monday May 26, 2025