Home The News NAFCA III: Cameroonian Minister of Culture saluted
NAFCA III: Cameroonian Minister of Culture saluted
News / Latest / Ernest Kanjo / Friday, 20 September 2013 06:36

maybellebomaWhen this reporter asked the CEO/founder of the Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards, NAFCA to comment on Cameroon’s increasing involvement in the African Oscars, Dr Victor Olatoye’s remark was obvious. The country’s sons and daughters were not only talented, but were making frantic efforts in putting their art on the world stage. The results are there to prove this assertion. At least within the last five years, young Cameroonians have been making great strides, be it in music, cinema, sports and what have you. The meaning of this can be clearly read on the wall – the country’s arts and culture sector is waxing on strong, at least as far as productivity is concerned, even if there is usually insufficient financial resources to enable the artists do better or more.

This can be a reasonable explanation to the NAFCA’s honouring of Cameroon’s Minister of Culture, Ama Tutu Muna at this year’s edition of the prestigious awards. It was an emotion-packed moment when this prize was announced. If the occupants of the legendary Warner Theatre (venue of the event) felt the warmth of this honour, the Cameroonian delegation to the 2013 NAFCA accommodated more solemn feelings. And even within this group, the emotions worked more on the individuals who walked up to the podium on behalf of the member of government, unavoidably absent. Agbor Gilbert Ebot (film producer), a close aide of Ama Tutu Muna and one of the movie ambassadors of is country received the prize and passed it over to Maybelle Boma, yet another active promoter of Cameroonian/African entertainment.

It was a heavy task, lifting Minister Ama Tutu’s statuette and I felt like I was in a completely different world,” Maybelle told TIPTOPSTARS when we sought to know how it felt in such circumstances. “In fact, the minister made us proud of our country and we immediately found ourselves on top of the ladder, in fact, it was a great moment,” she told us further.

Maybelle cum gospel singer and actress spoke the laureates words, thanking NAFCA for the confidence bestowed on Cameroon in the process. The entertainment promoter, known for her relentless efforts in marketing the image of her country beckoned on Nigeria and Ghana to multiply their interest in Cameroon and watch out for the latter’s process, for as put it “we are on the fast lane, heading to glory.”

amatutuThe prestigious was later handed to the Cameroonian Ambassador to the US, H.E Foe Atangana for onwards transmission to Yaounde. Conspicuously accompanying his minister in this latest recognition was the Cameroon Film Industry, CFI representative for the diaspora Akim Macauley who could not hide his feelings. “It was so memorable and I’m glad this is happening our country,” the film producer/director told TIPTOPSTARS in a later conversation. Akim, it should be noted has instrumental in the African Oscars from inception in 2011.

That a Cameroonian member of government is honoured by a predominantly Nigerian recognition platform speaks volumes. Not only does this further cement the diplomatic ties and good neighbourliness existing between both countries, it also indicates that Nigeria (better advanced) is noticing the great strides made by the Cameroonian culture sector of late. The story of Ninah’s Dowry has no doubt left anyone indifferent.

Meantime, Ama Tutu Muna became Minster of Culture in 2007. A daughter of Hon. S.T Muna, historic figure and former speaker of the National Assembly, she and her brothers run one of Cameroon’s biggest cultural outfits, The Solomon Tadeng Muna Foundation in the capital Yaounde. She is herself a good pianist and translator. TIPTOPSTARS will be reaching the minister for her reaction in subsequent updates.


Last Updated on Friday, 20 September 2013 07:10
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