https://youtu.be/TmP-6NBm8uQ

Pa Paul Nzegha Mzeka was born on March 29, 1934 in Sishong to late Mama Sabina Kumla and Peter Nzegha (Fai Tawong and a Prince of the Mapri lineage in Nso). He attended primary school in Shisong and like most young primary school leavers of his generation, joined the teaching profession after initial training in the Teacher Training College Bambui from where he taught in the Catholic School Kembong (mamfe), Catholic Akum (then Baangu) and finally St Pius X Teacher Training College Tatum, Nso. He was of the pioneer batch of the newly created CCAST Bambili and of the Ecole Normale Superiure Annexe Bambili from where he was posted as an English Language teacher to CES Bonadoumbe in Douala (1969-1971), CES de Bafoussam (now lycee Bilingue de Bafoussam (1971-74), GSS Mbengwi (1975-78). He briefly suspended his teaching tenure to undergo a Masters in Education in 1978-79 in the University of Ohio, Athens (USA) and upon his return taught in the Government Teacher Training College (GTTC) Bamenda where he is also served as Dean of Studies.

After a very rich teaching career than lasted for 30 years, Mr. Mzeka retired from the Cameroon Public Service in 1990 but remained active until his death. He founded the North West Beefarmers" Association (NOWEBA) which promoted sustainable bee farming as a means of raising awareness in biodiversity conservation in rural communities. During this period, he was improving his own understanding of the issues at stake in biodiversity conservation by attending workshops and seminars on the environment. In 2000, he and his dedicated team decided to change the name of the organization from NOWEBA to ANCO, the Apiculture and Nature Conservation (ANCO) in 2004 created a partnership with 3 other NGOs and embarked on conservation integrated with sustainable land management and rural poverty alleviation. Their approach received support from the Cameroon Government through the RIGC Project, the Program for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, South West Region and from several international organizations including UNDP (GEF/SGP), HELVETAS the Swiss Development Organization, IUCN Netherlands, the Royal Botanic Gardens UK, the American Global Releaf

Mr. Mzeka and his dedicated team have helped 30 communities to protect their watersheds and conserve 4 community forests including reforesting degraded portions. In the process, a total of 685,000 trees have been planted, the target being to reach a million trees before 2013. His good work in conservation especially in the improvement of livelihoods through forest conservation and regeneration earned him the prestigious United Nations Forests Heroes Award for Africa in 2011. He received the prize at the UN Headquarters in New York alongside winners from Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America

An erudite scholar and spent his entire life researching on the core values and practices of the Nso fondom which led to several publications on Nso Culture and traditions.

Pa scholarly Publications include:

The Core Culture of Nso   Jerome Radin,Co January 1,1980

Legislation and school administration for teachers    Ngem publishers January 1989  


Four Fons of Nso:Nineteenth and early twentieth century kingship in the western grassfields of  Cameroon,Spider Publications January 1,1990


Seem Abaa,the Fon  Ngem publishing Enterprise  January 1,1992


Bee products as a presentative(ie preventive) and curative remedies Publisher Mzeka N.P January 2001 

Pa was married to Mama Anastasia Kigha (RIP) and Mama Esther Siri and is survived by 7 children and 12 grandchildren.
 

He will be missed by  his only surviving  sibling Mami Cecilia Shuka Nyang, a host of nephews, nieces, and the entire Baba family in Bamfem.