Originally published in Eden Newspaper
Some ten students of the Government High School Bonjongo Wednesday 24 September, received the sum of FCFA 100,000 each as scholarship following their brilliant performances at the 2008 session of the General Certificate of Education, GCE Ordinary and Advanced levels.
The scholarship donated by an elite of the Bonjongo Court Area, Dr. Henry Njie, based in Dallas, USA, to the tune of FCFA 1 million is aimed at promoting academic excellence.
Speaking during the scholarship award ceremony at the college campus, the principal, Joseph Macaulay Musinga called on the laureates to emulate the footsteps of the donor by working harder so that other children would one day benefit from them.
While appealing to other elites of the area to emulate Dr. Njie, the principal urged the present form fives and upper sixth students to work hard for them to be able to get the FCFA 100,000 scholarship next year.
Tracing the origin of Dr. Henry Njie’s scholarship scheme, Joseph Macaulay revealed that some time in April, the donor visited GHS Bonjongo and the school administration explained some of the difficulties the students face among which were the financial difficulties on the part of some parents to pay children’s fees, lack of a play ground and accommodation difficulties.
During his visit, the principal continued, the Dallas based elite held a meeting with the finalists in which he drilled them on examination techniques and what is ahead of them provided they succeed.
Reacting to the problems presented to him, Dr. Njie then promised the sum of FCFA 1million for ten students who will distinguish themselves at the GCE exams.
He also sent his bulldozer to prepare a play ground but unfortunately the equipment was not strong enough to withstand the stony nature of the school campus, Macaulay regretted.
To lessen accommodation problem, Dr. Njie started the construction of an 18-room apartment that is near completion to be rented out to students on very affordable prices.
With the construction of two more classrooms announced by government, the principal of GHS Bonjongo thus described the college as a “School of Blessings” owing to the good things coming to the college.
In spite of all these, the principal presented a catalogue of problems still plaguing his institution such as the lack of a full scale laboratory for the science students, the need for a well furnished library to enable both teachers and students to carry out research, a multi-media centre, a school bus amongst other things.
Speaking on behalf of his son, Joseph Njie, while advising the laureates to spend the money judiciously, said the success of any student depends on perseverance and hard work. He challenged the beneficiaries to carry the flag of GHS Bonjongo to higher heights.
To the chairperson of the scholarship award ceremony, the Divisional Delegate for Secondary Education for Fako, Helen Ikundi Njomo, said the ceremony should serve as an eye-opener to the rest of the final year students. She wished that the finalists would do better this year as the theme for the 2008\2009 academic year stipulates, “Improving on Pedagogic Performance and Systems Evaluation”.
On behalf of the ten beneficiaries, Martina Mukete appreciated Dr. Njie’s largesse and promised the money would be spent judiciously for the purpose it deserves.
The prospective University of Yaounde II Soa law student while promising to carry the flag of their Alma matter high advised the junior ones to work hard and follow the school rules and regulations in order to succeed.
The scholarship award ceremony was attended amongst others by parents of the laureates, school PTA president, chiefs as well as staff and students of the college.
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