TRIBUTE TO Pa Barnabas CHUNGONG BONU FROM ATHANASIUS F. AMUNGWA
I learnt of the death of Pa Barnabas Chungong Bonu, a Reading University-trained rural educationist, University of Kumasi-trained beekeeping expert, pedagogue, ethnologist, pioneer chairman of the Bambui Village Council, a model farmer and genuine Christian intellectual and elite of the Bambui Community, with deep regret and would like to express heartfelt condolences to his dear wife, and children on behalf of my own family. I first met Pa Bonu and his wife in the mid-1970s at St Pius X Teacher Training College, Tatum where he was serving as tutor. I was in the company of my trainer, Brother Joseph Trimbach (RIP) to repair the water system of the College that had broken down and students and teachers had gone for two weeks without good water. Pa Bonu was a dedicated educationist and change agent who strived daily through fulfillment of his professional, family and community work to be in union with God.
He worked in a spirit that identified him with Opus Dei (Latin for God’s Work) - the message of St Josemaria Escriva about the universal call to holiness and personal sanctification through work and apostolate. Work and other social encounters can be occasions for spiritual union with Jesus Christ, so that human tasks are transformed into divine undertakings. Pa Bonu will be remembered most especially for writing A Short History and Traditions of Bambui 1700-2012, and A Manual on Modern Beekeeping in Cameroon, 1990. These works will meet the needs of researchers, tourists, historians, ethnologists, civil and traditional authorities, students of agriculture and those with an interest in conflict management. A taste of Bonu Pure (100%) Honey is enough to convince consumers about his efforts to work with the greatest perfection possible. Pa Bonu created in others a hunger for knowledge, helping them to discover new horizons with the example of his faith and dedication to service.
He strived to give the greatest possible professionalism to his work and was the type of Christian, who helped others to improve their relationship with God and neighbour simply by the way he lived his Catholic faith. Pa Bonu had truly discovered Christ and sought to bring him to others too, given that a great joy should not be kept to oneself but shared. This is the task to which Christ calls all of us. In a recent condolence visit to his wife in Bambui, she narrated to me some of the philanthropic works of her husband including sponsorship of some children and the effort she will make to uphold her husband’s legacy. May God grant Ma with the material resources and bodily strength to accomplish her goal. Through Pa Bonu’s dedication to uplifting his students and community members from ignorance, many more people who knew him will get to know about Jesus’ call for each of us to be perfect as his heavenly Father is perfect. This is possible when we strive to sanctify our work, sanctify ourselves in the work, and sanctify others through our work. All the circumstances in which God places us bring a divine message, asking us to respond with love and service to others.
May our Lord Jesus Christ grant Pa Bonu’s soul a place in God’s heavenly kingdom, to enjoy the beatific vision for eternity!
Professor Athanasius F. Amungwa
University of Buea