Courtesy visit: Prof Mbarika shares emotional moment with MINAT boss.

The globally acclaimed academic made the declaration last Saturday, a after he was received in audience by the member of government.

In a brief statement published on his verified Facebook page; following the in-camera meeting, Prof Mbarika, who sits atop the board of trustees of the ICT University, described the audience as warm, cordial and emotional.

He disclosed that discussions during the meeting bordered around the minister’s recently published book, which he was quick to label as “intellectually sound”.

Titled: “Paul Atanga Nji: 37 years of flawless fidelity to the Head of State and State institutions”, the book printed on glossy paper, was published last year.

During last week’s audience, Prof Mbarika said, he gave Minister Atanga Nji a pat on the back for authoring the publication.

The accomplished scholar and multiple award-winner, had used the meeting to thank Minister Atanga Nji for the invitation to officially get an autographed copy of the new book. 

The United States-based university don described the meeting as an honour, noting his strong support for initiatives that promote intellectual engagement and scholarly reflection.

The academic also expressed gratitude for the minister’s recognition of the work being carried out by the ICT university in advancing technology education in Cameroon and beyond.

Prof Mbarika further acknowledged the support of Paul Biya and the Cameroonian government, particularly during the historic visit of former Nigerian leader, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo to Cameroon, on the invitation of the ICT University. 

According to him, the moral and financial backing provided by the Presidency played a crucial role in the success of the visit.

“I sincerely thank the leadership of our great country, Cameroon, for its continued support of our institution. I also appreciate the wisdom and advice you shared with me during our meeting,” Prof Mbarika said of the meeting with Minister Atanga Nji, in an outing on social media.

Snippet of Atanga Nji’s book

Titled: “Paul Atanga Nji: 37 years of flawless fidelity to the Head of State and State institutions”, the book, which was published last year, captures the member of government’s nearly four decades support for the Biya regime.

Through the publication, the MINAT boss brought to the public space his immeasurable distance covered, standing hand-in-hand and toe-to-toe under all circumstances, with the Head of State. 

At best, the author described the books as “… understanding of his permanent fight for the respect of Republican legality”. 

Atanga Nji revealed in the book that he has for decades been tenacious and visionary in ensuring that the State remains strong and that President Paul Biya enjoys the highest level of support; even when doomsayers say it is over, to continue guiding Cameroon.

Unlike opportunists and others who just found themselves in public offices and the corridors of power overnight, Atanga Nji’s story is a tale of a young man who has for decades running been showing a deep insight into why the State and Biya’s leadership in particular must never be brought to its knees.

 Atanga Nji, right from his days as a businessman, has been viewing Cameroon from the prism of assuaging the plight of its citizens and supporting those in authority; particularly the Head of State, to succeed.

His book brings to the limelight, accounts and pictural evidences of his uncompromising position in the most delicate moments in Cameroon’s democratic journey. 

He presents himself in the book as the man who has always been on the right side of currency and history, especially when it comes to the last 43 years and still counting of President Paul Biya’s leadership.

His story, as told in the book, typifies that Atanga Nji didn’t fight to be where he is today. Power and the call to serve at a higher level came after him. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3726 of Monday March 09, 2026