REVIEW OF PAUL ATOGHO ENYI`S BOOK

(This review was broadcast on the CRTV National Radio Station in Yaounde on the 17th
of January 2003, in thr series of papers Inaired on the
6.30am English Language news from 2002  to 2005)

BY TIKUM MBAH AZONGA

Today`s review of Paul Atogho Enyi`s book, `Politics: A call to
Serve`, comes four days after we reviewed that of   Charles Ateba
Eyene, `Le Général Semengue: Toute Une Vie dans les Armées`.

The juxtaposition of both books does not stem from any intention to
compare one man with another, let alone pit them against each other.
Rather, the idea was to unite them so that they complement each other.
 Both works give us a vivid snapshot of contemporary Cameroon.

Although Atogho Enyi`s book was published in 1999, and that of Ateba
Eyene`s just last year, the two authors treat the twin aspects of
space and time so aptly that albeit involuntarily, their works
naturally flow into each other and thereby blend two authors, two
approaches and two movements, all leading to a single destination: the
Cameroonian public.

Atogho Enyi views politics as "the art of theory which describes and
analyzes the operations of government, state or other organization
that influences man`s behaviour in his community". He perceives  the
politician as   "one who practices politics either as an art or as a
profession". He quotes the late French president, Gorges Pompidou as
saying a statesman is a politician who places himself at the service
of the nation whereas a politician is a statesman who places the
nation at his service.

The book is interspersed with references and lessons from leading
political, philosophical and literary figures such as Mahatma Ghandi,
Charles de Gaulle, Abraham Lincoln, Adolf Hitler, Nelson Mandela,
Shakespeare, Karl Marx and   Jean Jacques Rousseau. It is also an
invaluable contribution to the construction of the Cameroonian nation
state   by actors such as Ahmadou Ahidjo, Charles Assale, Sadou
Daoudou, John Ngu Foncha, Solomon Tandeng Muna, Dr.
EML Endeley, Augustine Ngom Jua, and Ni John Fru Ndi.

From another angle, `Politics: A Call to serve` is an attempt to show
how Cameroon has fared since Paul Biya succeeded Ahmadou Ahidjo as
President of the Republic in 1982. In the course of narrating, the
author takes us far back enough into history so that no gaps are
created in his account and the reader does not unnecessarily gasp for
more.

The author`s approach is futuristic  and reassuring. The underlying
message is that the era of Paul Biya has ushered in a recipe for
national unity, progress and development   through a demonstrable
commitment to building a modern Cameroonian nation.

Atogho Enyi`s a credentials prove that he is qualified to write such a
book. The publication follows decades of observation of and
participation in activities within the Cameroonian political scene.
Atogho Enyi did this  both as a cabinet minister and an ordinary citizen.

 Born in Ngwo village of Momo Division in the North West Province, he
was educated at the prestigious Cameroon Protestant College (CPC) in
Bali, after which he went for further studies in Liberia and Sierra
Leone, and later at the ENS here in Cameroon. He was once Director of
Private Education in the Ministry of National Education, and later,
Secretary of State in the same ministry.

`Politics: A Call to Serve`, will undoubtedly appeal to readers of all
ages and professional backgrounds. The book will surely go down in the
annals of history as a useful piece of documentation on modern
Cameroon political history.