New registrar takes office at UBa

By Njodzefe Nestor & Kiven Brenda in Bamenda

UBa VC in handshake with new Registrar

The newly appointed Registrar of the University of Bamenda, UBa Prof Banlilon Victor Tani and other officials of the University who were appointed by a series of Presidential decrees on June 27, 2017 have officially assumed their functions.

                There were installed on Friday June 14, 2017 at the Restaurant of the University in a colorful and highly attended ceremony presided at by the Vice Chancellor of UBa, Prof Nkuo Therese Akenji.

                Others included the Deputy Vice Chancellors in charge of Teaching, Professionalism and Development of Information and Communication, Prof. Suh Cheo Emmanuel, and that of Internal Control and Evaluation, Prof Agwara Moise Ondoh.

                Installed too were the Directors of Development, Physical Plant and Infrastructure, Prof. Tangka Julius Kewir, Financial Affairs, Giyoh Yerima Peter, Administrative Affairs, Prof. Mbufong Paul Kuban and Students Affairs, Anong Damian Nota.

                The Deans of the Faculties of Science and that of Law and Political Science, Prof. Mbanya nee Ngum Shu Dora and Prof Galega Sagmena Daiga officially assumed duty too likewise the Directors of the Higher Teachers Training College and the Higher Technical Teachers Training College, Prof Tita Margaret Awah and Prof. Agbor Micheal Ntui.

                In her installation speech the VC said the installation ceremony was “far from being a mere appointment ritual” emphasizing that it is “a solemn and official exercise” which marks the beginning of their assumption of duty to the special mission assigned to them by the President of the Republic.

                Prof Nkuo Therese Akenji challenged the installed officials to prioritize collaboration, cooperation, respect of rules and regulations and respect of hierarchy in the discharge of their duties.

                “You should endeavor to be a good team player while at the same time galvanizing your individual capabilities, skills and talents to foster the attainment of the set goals and objectives of the University of Bamenda” she advised.

                The VC called on them not to lose sight of the current socio political dispensation of the country while urging them to give priority to social dialogue, peaceful coexistence so as to ensure a conducive environment for teaching research and outreach.

                “Dear Deputy Vice Chancellors, Registrar, Deans and Directors, it is not important how you got appointed. What matters most is your output” she revealed adding that with time they will not be judged by their “big academic titles or social status but by the innovation you bring in while in office as well as the legacy you leave behind”.

                Created by Decree NO 2010/371 of the 14th December 2010, the University of Bamenda cum University of the future is the last of the eight state Universities in Cameroon.

                The March 8, 2011 decree organizing UBa highlighted the Anglo-Saxon character (art.1) of the University and proposed six faculties and five schools (art.49) which had to go operational within the ambit of the resources available. All of the 11 establishments have reportedly gone operational.

                According to sources at the university, the estimated space available is 699 hectares and enrollment has grown from 5600 students in 2011 to 16,000 in 2016 representing a growing rate of 25 percent per year.

                Since creation, the University has been grappling with lack of infrastructure but the situation is gradually being put to rest taking into account the number of classrooms that are under construction in the school. 

                Born in January 1, 1967, he attended Government Primary School in Jakiri, Secondary and high school in Presbyterian Secondary School Mankon and Cameroon College of Arts and Technology Bambili.

                The seasoned political scientist and administrator is holder of a Licence Public Law from the University of Yaoundé and an Msc and a Ph.D in Political Science from the prestigious Ahmadou Bello University, Zaria Nigeria.

                In 2014, he attended Bard College, Annadale-on-Hudson, NY, USA for a SUSI Scholar under the aegis of the US Department of State Program on US Foreign Policy.

                Prof Banlilon Victor Tani started his career as an Assistant lecturer at the Ahmadou Bello University and when returned to Cameroon, he was recruited as an Assistant Lecturer, Department of Political Science And Public Administration, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, University of Buea.

                In 2005 he was made Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in 2015. He has served as Head of service of Teaching  and Research, Faculty Officer, Head of Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, University of Buea.

                Prior to his appointment, he was the Secretary General in the Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics, University of Bamenda.