– President’s special envoy to grace anniversary
– Sasse College University finally on the way
– SOBA President General lauds Bishop Bibi for special collaboration
– Says current Principal, Rev. Janto “the man in black cassock” is a perfect fit for the college
By Noela EBOB BISONG
Historic boys school, St. Joseph’s College Sasse is celebrating its 85th anniversary under the patronage of H.E. Paul Biya, whom The SUN gathered has chipped in the sum of FCFA 40 million to cater for the renovation of the College.
In prelude to the celebration which is scheduled to run from December 12-14, 2024, the President General of the ex-students association (Sasse Old Boys Association –SOBA), Ayuk Iyok has told The SUN that everything is moving as planned, with about some 400 to 500 Sobans expected on ground.
The SUN has gathered that preparations are heightening at Sasse College campus, with renovation works at the main block and staff quarters, facelift of the campus, availability of water can on campus to water and keep environment free of dust, among other initiatives for a memorable celebration.
Sobans are paying FCFA 40,000 plus FCFA 5,000 if coming with an extra guest during the anniversary celebration. However, to ensure effective representation and to encourage participation, the amount has been slashed to FCFA 15,000 for younger Sobans in the university and those still searching for a job.
On the main objective of the 85th anniversary, the President General of SOBA, Ayuk Iyok says, “We have Sobans who are already a hundred years and above. If we wait for a Centenary, most of the Old Boys will not be there. This 85th anniversary celebration is a serious business especially for the older people as it gives them the opportunity to once more go back to campus.”
Another high point of the celebration is the issue of the creation of a University in Sasse College. “We have talked about starting the process for the creation of a Technical University. The Foundation Stone will be laid during the 85th anniversary celebration”, Iyok revealed.
According to Iyok, the school has improved a lot. “It is cleaner, more disciplined and the number of students has risen from about 150 (in the height of the Anglophone crisis), to about 700.”
Celebrating the current principal of the school, Rev Fr. Jude Janto Sasse College Principal, commonly referred to as “the man in black cassock” by students, Iyok says, “The principal is a perfect fit together with the staff.”
With regards to the proprietor of Sasse College, Bishop of Buea, His Lordship Michael Bibi, Iyok reveals that, “The Bishop has been great because he has given us leeway to do the things we have in mind for the College. He tells us, ‘it’s your school and I will not stop you from doing anything.’”
In terms of support to their alma mater, SOBA USA gifted scholarships to some students, SOBA UK renovated the school library to modern standard while SOBA Montreal Canada gave aid to some less privileged students.
On his multiple Self-funded trips abroad, Iyok maintains that, “When I decided to serve SOBA, I decided to put in my best. The first thing was to bring everybody back to the association…When I travel like that, it is to make sure that everybody knows we are together, we are one. One of my motto is to ‘be your brother’s keeper’…so all of it is to expose ourselves. My team has as mission to amplify Sasse College to make it look better; invest our time and energy in the College because some other people invested there for us, so we have to give back. Also, to bring ourselves together for networking to develop our personal self”, he details.
“Let us come and celebrate our school. We should not forget that we are the first school”, Iyok entreats his peers.
He also implores that, “The Bishop of Buea has been so good to us, so we should use this occasion to come and support him on the 75th anniversary of the diocese of Buea.”