Fireside Chat: President JK Speaks

Looking back at the past 50 years, what do you think have been the most significant achievements of the SOBA Buea Mother Chapter?

JK: The SBMC's main achievement is in its spirit of living together and supporting one another during happy and trying moments. On the score of palpable things, the SBMC as pioneer chapter has influenced the lives of Sobans and Sasse College positively. We operated and hosted all SOBA General Assemblies until of late when management shifted from the traditional local chapter hosting to that of the choice of the sitting President-General. SBMC has always participated in all SOBA projects in Sasse College, from the Library, Sanitation, Chapel and Road projects.

We have also been present in the lives of Sasse College students by attending mass on campus with them, organizing motivational talks for them and sharing common meals with the public examination classes during Easter break. One of the SBMC's latest projects for Sasse College is the embellishment of the main gate of the college. Currently we are also running a farm project for Sasse College under the guidance of Senior Sobans Dr. Amos Namanga Ngongi and Pa Ikundi. We have just recently acquired a landed property at Lower Farms, Buea where we look forward to putting up our Chapter Head Office.

In reinvigorating family life within the SOBA family, we are the pioneer chapter that introduced our spouses (Sobanese) in our meetings. We are today celebrating our 50th anniversary of non-stop active chapter life. This is indeed a milestone achievement thanks to the past and present members of the SBMC.

How do you see these achievements shaping the future of SBMC?

JK: These achievements have a positive impact on the life of the Chapter as each step brings in a fresh impetus and acts as an attraction to Sobans around Buea to be part of the Chapter. It also sets a standard that challenges itself to do better.

As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, what message would you like to convey?

JK: Congratulations and happy celebrations to all members, past and present. Your dedication and passion have built a legacy that will last a lifetime. I call on all current members to keep pushing boundaries, innovating and serving our community. To future members, get ready to join the movement. The spirit of Soba Buea is all about unity, excellence and making a difference. Let's keep the fire burning.

How do you see the SBMC evolving in the next decade?

JK: SBMC's evolution in the next decade shall hover around the values and projects put forward by us during all these 50 years. I see the SBMC striving by touching the lives of our members, Sasse College, SOBA General and our community: improved access to quality education and technical skills through regular academic and career orientation talks with the students of Sasse College and the young members of our chapter. We shall also enhance community engagement and social connections, increase our focus on environmental sustainability and conservation, and support our personal and local economic growth and development.

What initiatives are you most proud of during your tenure?

JK: I always prefer to give collective glory to our achievements. Under my leadership we are managing a Farm Project in Sasse College, participated financially in the refurbishment of the college chapel as piloted by Reverend Father Ndikum (a SBMC member), supported the Road Project under President-General Ayuk Iyok Sammy Pride, and given motivational and educative talks to GCE classes during Easter break. We own a 530 sq. m piece of land in Buea on which we intend to build an SBMC House. In just two years of my stewardship we have gone this far — I can say without fear of contradiction that the future shall be eventful for Soba Buea Mother Chapter.