By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Frederic Arsène Youbi Si Nziko, a former pupil known by his nickname “Youbi,” has donated several million CFA francs worth of school supplies to his alma mater, Government Bilingual Primary School (GBPS) Mbalmayo in the Center Region of Cameroon.
Youbi, who attended the primary school from 1993 to 1996, presented the gift at a ceremony that drew a large crowd of pupils, teachers, local residents and administrative authorities.
Thérèse Mani, the Subdivision Inspector of Basic Education for Mbalmayo, presided over the event and expressed heartfelt appreciation to the donor.
“We want to thank the donor, who was once a pupil of this school — the first bilingual school in Mbalmayo,” Mani said. “He has returned to his roots to say thank you to the teachers and to the state for the education he received here. This gesture is truly appreciated.”
Mani also appealed to Youbi to extend his generosity. “Today, Mbalmayo has many other schools — in Bileng, Angkor, and Ouyak,” she added. “I call on him and other elites to also think of those schools.”
“It is a call, which I wanted to make to the donor, who thinks about Mbalmayo,” Mani said, “Like Oliver Twist, as we say thank you, we ask again.”
Speaking on Youbi’s behalf, Dorote Ngo Yomkil noted that the donation is more than a simple gift; it is a testament to the school’s influence.
“This gesture is far more than a simple act of giving,” she said while reading a statement from Youbi. “It is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the values, the knowledge, and the spirit of openness that this school instilled in me from my earliest years.”
Youbi expressed hope that the donation would serve as a message of encouragement to teachers, pupils, and the entire community to continue pursuing excellence.
Youbi also extended his most sincere thanks to three key contributors: Christopher Beatty, whose invaluable support made this initiative possible; Hôtel Relais Saint André; and his elder brother, Fotso Robert, for his exemplary coordination and tireless dedication throughout this process.
Their collective commitment and generosity, he noted, ensured the project was brought to life under the best possible conditions.
On his part, Felix Gami Kamga, the Head Teacher of Government Bilingual Primary School Group 1, Mbalmayo, called the day a “memorable one.”
“Today is a wonderful day for our school. This is truly a dream come true,” Kamga said. “We have long hoped for gestures like this, and we invite other elites and ex-pupils to follow Youbi’s example.”
He noted that the donation came at a crucial time, as teachers have been working under challenging conditions, and that the supplies would greatly enhance the teaching and learning process.
The school, founded in 1979, was the first English-speaking institution in the Nyong and So’o Division. It has since expanded to include Group 2 and two nursery schools, now serving hundreds of children.
Youbi’s contribution is seen as a strong example of how members of the Cameroonian diaspora can meaningfully contribute to local development through education.
