The Sunday, the African Cup of Nations was about to start, all the vuvuzelas all around Yaoundé could be heard, and of course daddy could hear them. When I walked into the hospital room, nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. My heart fell to my stomach and I felt like I could not breathe because it was all too real that you were REALLY SICK! You first said to me "Do you see why good health is important?" (always trying to teach something)  or at least you tried to say it because you barely had strength to speak through the CPAP, and I nodded YES! Every breathe came with a great deal of struggle and it broke me, because that is the most energetic man I know. If it broke me, I cannot imagine what it was doing to you mentally cause I know you were fighting! As I stood there observing you, in the silence, we could hear your CPAP making a vibrating sound that sounded a lot like, one of the many vuvuzelas blowing that day. 

You looked up at me and said "They have given me my own vuvuzela" We could not hold it in, and we both laughed. I know that is where Eric and I get our humor from. That evening, I wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and sent you a text that said "Laughing with your parents is such a precious moment." and it truly is. I just hope you know I adored you like crazy even though you could talk my ears off. I truly loved and admired you because you shaped and molded me most. 

We met on plane few years ago and keep in touch till before apparently his passing.

He was going to translate my book in english. Its been couple weeks I've been texting, calling, til I got worried and eventually Google him to see if I could find out something. 

So sad to get this news. Mr. Aatsa Atogho was just a great man with good influence and inspiration. 

May God bless his soul and keep his eyes on his family.

VOSAWORLD RADIO'S "MUSINGS & MUSIC" TALK SHOW HOST, EGBE MBIWAN MONJIMBO, SAT DOWN, LATE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021, TO A VERY INFORMATIVE, EDUCATIVE & HUMOR-LACED CHAT WITH VETERAN TRANSLATOR-INTERPRETER, AATSA ATOGHO, IN THE FIRST EDITION OF THE "INSPIRE BEFORE YOU EXPIRE" SERIES - AN OFFSHOOT OF THE MISSION of "CCAST 81 STARS", (an exceptional group of Ladies and Gentlemen who attended the CAMEROON COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - CCAST, BAMBILI - CAMEROON, FROM 1981 TO 1983.

Mr. ATOGHO has visited over 70 Countries across all 6 Continents and his wealth of experience, his eloquence and signature humor are all evident, in this EPIC Chat!
(He, it is, who came up with the "INSPIRE BEFORE YOU EXPIRE" title, for the series!!!)

*Mr. ATOGHO PASSED AWAY ON JANUARY 13th 2022. GOD REST HIS SOUL.*

PHOTO AATSA SHARED JUST 2 WEEKS BEFORE HE PASSED ON.
ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THE PHOTO RESPONDED WITH:

"AATSA, YOU DON TURN NA PHILOSOPHER?"

TO WHICH HE RESPONDED:

"WITH THE TIMES, WE ALL GO TURN NA PHILOSOPHER! BUT THERE'S MORE TO THIS THAN MEETS THE EYE"!!

AATSA AND HIS GUITAR WERE INSEPARABLE!
HE USED IT TO HONOR GOD EVERY CHANCE HE GOT.
This time, when he got news in faraway Abidjan that his beloved mother was ailing, he got his guitar and recorded this for her, to encourage her and lift her spirits. WHAT A SON!
Sadly, she transitioned on Monday, March 29th 2021, and was laid to rest on his 57th Birthday - April 3rd 2021!
Now he too has gone home, just 10 months after she left!!