Papa Barnabas Bonu was Born in Bambui in 1928 to Pa John Amuhngwa (son of Pa Chungong) and Mami Fama. Papa's paternal uncle, Pa Andreas Chungong took Pa Bonu as his personal son and raised him until school age.  Pa John Amuhngwa, Pa Andreas and their brother, Pa Vincent Mbigha, were very close and united. In Papa Bonu's own words, “The love and unity between us was so close that our children hardly knew who was their biological father.”

In 1932, Pa Bonu moved to Njinikom and lived with the Yangse Family. Mr. Leonard Yangse was a catechist in the Parish in Njinikom where there were frequent visits of priests on pastoral duties to his parish, leading to more opportunities for Papa, especially in education.
In 1936, Pa started Primary Education at St. Anthony's School Njinikom, about 20 miles from Bambui. Pa's Primary Education was facilitated by  Mr. Leonard Yangse who advised Pa Bonu's parents to send him to school. Rev. Fr. John McDermott was the Headmaster (Principal) of St. Anthony's School at the time, and the assistant was Dr. John Ngu Foncha.
In 1943, Pa Bonu obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC). 

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In 1947, Pa Bonu started his preliminary course as a professional teacher at the Teachers Training Center in Njinikom. In 1948, Pa Bonu moved to Bambui to continue his professional career when the Training Center was moved to Bambui.  In 1949, Pa completed his Elementary Teaching Training Course and obtained a Teacher's Grade III Certificate.

In 1951, Pa Bonu got admitted into Government Teacher Training Centre, Kumba, to do a two-year Grade Two Teaching Training course. He successfully completed his his training course. Pa's first appointment was to Sacred Heart School Fiango. He later got transferred to Catholic School Tobel in Kumba
1954, Pa was the Headmaster  at the Catholic School Ikassa, Ndian Division.
1955, Pa was transferred to his hometown Bambui to help open standard  in St. Peter's Practicing school. He was the head of this senior primary school for six years. During his time as the Headmaster of the school, many students passed the common entrance examinations to prominent schools like Sasse College.
In 1963, Pa Bonu became eligible for Grade I Teachers' Cerificate in Rural Science after passing the General Certificate of Education(GCE "O" Levels).
In 1964, Pa was awarded the Teachers' Grade I Certificate . 

Pa Bonu's dedication to his teaching duties as a teacher earned him a scholarship to study abroad. His studies was to earn him a Diploma in Rural Education. The recommendation came from Rev. Fr. John McDermott who was the the Parish Priest of Bangangu and Manager of Catholic Mission Schools. In his reference, Fr. McDermott stated, "Mr. Barnabas Bonu has been known by me since 1938 as a pupil, student and teacher. He was specially known to me during my term of office as Principal of Teachers' Training College and Supervisor of the Catholic Mission Schools. At present, he is the supervising headmaster and rural science specialist of our school at Bangangu. He is a very hard working and efficient teacher. The farm and vegetable gardens are credit to him. He has also greatly helped to beautify the school compound by planting of variety of flowers and ornamental shrubs. The paths and roads have been neatly lined up with cypress hedges and eucalyptus trees. As supervising headmaster of a double-stream school up to standard VI he has shown himself to have a great sense of responsibility and also to be a very good organizer. His character is most satisfactory. He is well recommended". Signed: John McDemott, Manager Catholic Mission Schools, Bangangu
In September of 1964, Pa Bonu with other colleagues flew from Tiko airport to Calabar, Lagos and from Calabar to London. After completing  all the requirements at the Cameroon embassy, they left by train for The University of Reading Institute of Education. It is worth noting that their hostel was at a Y.M.C.A.(Young Men's Christian Association).
In 1965, Pa Bonu was awarded the Diploma in Rural Education at the University of Reading Institute of Education after completing one academic year.

In 1984, Pa Bonu started beekeeping at the Teachers' Training College. Pa had a new perspective about bees during his stay at the University of Reading Institute of Education, when they visited bee farms at the University. In Pa's own words he said: " My mind went back to what I saw in the U.K.". This finally materialized during Pa's stay in Tatum. Pa started a beekeeping club in Tatum. This was a great initiation. 
In 1987, Pa Bonu attended and furthered his specialty in Beekeeping at the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana courtesy of funding from Canadian Presbyterian World Service and Development. With the knowledge obtained at the university and all the books he read about beekeeping, Papa Bonu got the beekeeping club to a thriving level and it gained admiration far and wide. In 1987/88, The Beekeeping Club got a donation of $225.000frs which was used for expansion. Pa Bonu authored a book on beekeeping titled, "Modern Beekeeping in Cameroon."

On June 1991, Pa Bonu retired after serving the Catholic Mission as a teacher for 45 years.

Pa Bonu's dream was to pursue professional studies in Education at a degree level. In 1985, Pa Bonu attained this dream and was awarded a Diploma in Advanced Study of Education from The College of Perceptors, Essex U.K.

Biography and Photo credit:
"And God Gave Me Life. "  2005 - Barnabas Chungong Bonu