By Doh James Sonkey
The 50th anniversary celebration of Government Bilingual High School, GBHS Essos in Yaoundé took place last September 17 to 19, 2025 under the auspices of Secondary Education Minister, Prof Nalova Lyonga. The celebration took place under the theme, “the contribution of GBHS Essos to the promotion of bilingualism, living together and national cohesion.”
Speaking at the launch of activities, Prof Pauline Nalova Lyonga praised government’s policy of inclusive Education, implemented by the Ministry of Secondary Education. She narrated the story of the Principal of GBHS Yaounde, Tambe Agbor Teddy Tabekwere who was shot by amba fighters in Mamfe and after receiving treatment expressed his determination to work for Cameroon to shun the criminals.
Minister Nalova Lyonga told the Principal, “your school is a wonderful school. Cameroon needs people of special needs like you who are determined to serve the nation. I am proud of the government policy of inclusiveness.”
The Minister told the ex-students that, “I will say you still have a lot to do. You have to construct a very large administrative building here.”
The MINESEC boss announced that, “soon we are going to bring in smart classrooms. These have been donated by the Commonwealth. So, there is much work to do. GBHS Yaoundé is one of the schools selected to play host to such classrooms, both students and administrative staff must be ready for this innovation.”
In his welcome note, the Principal of GBHS Yaoundé, Tabe Agbor Teddy Tabekwere explained that, “during its 50th anniversary celebration, 12 principals have passed through this institution. Under the supervision of Minister Nalova Lyonga, we have undertaken works to modernise our school. GBHS Yaoundé is so unique”, he said.
The principal expressed gratitude to the students, parents and partners for their sacrifices.
In a chat with reporters, Prof Nalova Lyonga said ‘‘there is such pride for me because this guy was shot and nearly died while I was giving instructions to take him to this hospital, take him there, take him down to Douala if that one is not working. I was just talking like that but I didn’t know him, even the name I didn’t know until after he was well, he came to my office and he said, Madam, this is me. I heard what you did. I said, what? Is that you? He said, yes. So, after we talked and talked and I said, what do you think I can do with you now, what can you do for me? See, you’ve been shot, you need to go and rest. And he said, Madam, I’m well now and I’m going to work because I need to show the enemies that I can work. And I’m so glad that government has this inclusive policy in education where we can show that people with needs can also perform as well and sometimes even better than others.’’