Bate Besong's Last Outing

About a thousand people gathered at the University of Buea yesterday, March 7th, 2007, to celebrate Bate Besong's new book, "Digrace". It was a joyous and regal occasion as speaker after speaker poured encomiums on the revered scholar, poet and playright. Little did participants know that this was in fact the final farewell for BB, and that he would be gone forever by dawn. Here are some pictures from BB's last outing. Pictures by Harry McYemti in Buea.

Hours before the Final Goodbye

University students at the Book launching

Ntumfor Halle, the Launcher-in-Chief offers word of prayer

A cross section of the attending public

Dr. Rosalyn Jua reviewing Bate Besong's book.

Comments

[Mukwelle Akale]

The Flight of Poet-Eagles
The summons of the gentle voice of the Great Muse,
Descends at dawn as minds of mere mortals ponder repose,
Striking the the hearts and minds of the few
eagles of mortals that pay heed....
With bewildering passion they feed
On the dew of timeless essences of the beauty and refinement of the language of the gods,
It is they the poet-eagles who absorb into their systems,the inexhausitble ambrosia-nic flavour of the mighty in verse and language.
So Homer,Byron,Keats,Okigbo and now Bate Besong,
Stood strong and tall,
Piercing the ever dark clouds of hopelessness throughout time,
Armed with courage and fearless drive,
Empowered by the gods with the power of the clarion call,
Charge through the frighteningly monstrous clouds of despair,
While puny mortals wait lamnetably for the ever elusive dissipation of the dark clouds...
And now,with their sudden flight,we see the silver lining.

[Bibiana Taku Mbiaoh]

BB,

It's like a nightmare, I am still in disbelief!
I got your phone call on Monday morning and your voice was as lively as it has always been.
I sent the book through an agency as per your directives.
I confirmed with Chief who was worried that it may get to you later than your book launch.
You recieved the book on Wednesday morning, to be sure it is in your custody when you are gone. It sounds contradictory but it seems it is true.
Chief is broken, you know about the two of you.
What about the kids? What about your fans? What about your students? What about the vision?
It all seems like a mist!

BB, could it be real that you are gone for real? Then help us to agree that you are at last with your God. Only this consolation will dry up our tears.
Now that you are with God, tell him about your vision. He is all powerful, he will do it for you. Then you will rest in peace, because your mission is accomplished.

Go well, BB. Rest in perfect peace.

[Charles AKOH Atud]

A well of knowledge lost. Hope his replacement would be sought.

[Marcus Achu Junior Chi]

I have never been a literature student before but I have always had a srong admiration for Bate Besong (BB). His assertiveness, strong desire to cleanse our society of its misdeeds through his satirical literary pieces, his integrity, his humility and sense of purpose are qualities that are hard to find in a single human being. I am heavily aggrieved by his death especially at this moment when Cameroon is in dire need of intellectuals like him and the others who were involved in the ghastly accident. May his soul rest in piece and may we all learn to leave clean footprints while we live so that we may all be remembered by them when we are no more? Oh life! What a mystery to ponder over? MARCUS ACHU JUNIOR CHI ( Nottingham University Business School, UK).

[Claudia T.]

What a shame!
May your souls rest in perfect peace. UB and Cameroon at large will live to remember your great works and courage.

[Roki of Shanghai]

Oh BB,i never was a literature student but i never missed out on any of your articles.I remember the morning you were on "Morning Safari".Hard to believe that you are gone.........just like that? You will never be replaced.

[wise primus]

Most fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Will his demise creat the fear that his detractors, the cowards want? We shouldn't give in to them. There can only destroy the body but got nothing, I mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the SOUL. Rather Fear him that can destroy BOTH the body and the soul. Adieu BB

[Richy]

Ooh! Dead why did you not forsake BB?why did u not allow him to live again?why are you not ashame to cause disorder? WE will live to rememeber him for his good work.Good bless his soul
Amen
R

[Linonge Mary]

My Dear Supervisor is gone!!!!!

I can't say so much about this drastic and chocking news about BB's death but all i can do is weep deep inside of me.Since i left Cameroon for Canada,i have been sadened by the death of so many lecturers of mine who contributed so much to the B.A i got in UB,but not only that,they were Fathers to me.I had not finish mourning Dr Njiki and now my BB is gone....BB you made me laugh and you made me cry,but you did it all for you wanted me to be a better person not just a UB graduate,thanks to him and i also say thanks to Late Dr Njiki.May their souls rest in perfect peace and may they find joy everlasting in the Kingdom of God Almighty and his Son Jesus Christ.
Linonge Mary Ngowo

[Njifenzt Buma Dohnji]

Dear All,
there is absolutely no doubt that the late Dr.Bate Besong was a great intellectual.We have lost him.It is very sad.
As we continue to mourn him and pray for the repose of his soul,the greatest joy we can bring to ourselves and this man of great honour and international reputation is to culture another archetype of him and apply most of the virtues he stood for.His language was satirically explosive and posed a near enigma to many, but it was packed with plenty of sense and sensibility rather than commonsense.
BB would be very happy where he is now to learn that his works have come a long way to change Cameroon for the better.A visible impact of the consequence of his work must be felt in Cameroon.This is what BB the great would appreciate as he's gone.
This must be his legacy.The unremitting effort to recreate another 'Him' can only be true if we realise or notice a positive and veritable change that his satirical work has done and will continue to do for our country.The very conservatism of our socio politico and economic structure is a very unpleasant continous recipe for disaster for all, thus necessitating more BB's to continue the war with the pen,ink and brain as the three powerful catridges;the most modern weapon of mass distruction created by him and only him, the honourable BB to deal with intransigent despots like some Head of states in Africa and entire entourage.
May he rest in perfect peace.
One of His desciples
Njifenzt Dohnji.

[Njifenzt Buma Dohnji]

Dear All,
there is absolutely no doubt that the late Dr.Bate Besong was a great intellectual.We have lost him.It is very sad.
As we continue to mourn him and pray for the repose of his soul,the greatest joy we can bring to ourselves and this man of great honour and international reputation is to culture another archetype of him and apply most of the virtues he stood for.His language was satirically explosive and posed a near enigma to many, but it was packed with plenty of sense and sensibility rather than commonsense.
BB would be very happy where he is now to learn that his works have come a long way to change Cameroon for the better.A visible impact of the consequence of his work must be felt in Cameroon.This is what BB the great would appreciate as he's gone.
This must be his legacy.The unremitting effort to recreate another 'Him' can only be true if we realise or notice a positive and veritable change that his satirical work has done and will continue to do for our country.The very conservatism of our socio politico and economic structure is a very unpleasant continous recipe for disaster for all, thus necessitating more BB's to continue the war with the pen,ink and brain as the three powerful catridges;the most modern weapon of mass distruction created by him and only him, the honourable BB to deal with intransigent despots like some Head of states in Africa and entire entourage.
May he rest in perfect peace.
One of His desciples
Njifenzt Dohnji.
London

[Samson]

Dear Compatiots,

It is with rude shock that i recieved the news of the transition of a great patriot,Dr Bate Bessong.It's just unfortunate that great minds had to live very short and life impacting impressions on us.I mourn this great individual for shaping me up into a confident stage and screen personality that i am today.My studies in UB were made more memorable with my association with Dr Bessong.I mourn your passage sir.May your gentle soul find solace in the bossom of our lord Jesus christ.

Mbella Effange,
PortHarcourt,
Nigeria.