PAPA J.M. BATCHA
BIOGRAPHY OF PAPA JOSHUA MALABAN BATCHA (Neih Sango)
Papa Joshua Malaban Batcha was born in 1939 in Baforchu to Neih Sango Elias Batcha and Abu Frida Njiih. His father was the first lay preacher with the Basel Mission church in Baforchu and also sawed timber for a living. His mother was a house wife and a women’s leader in the local church. He had seven siblings and was the sixth child to his parents.
EDUCATION
He started primary school at Vernacular school Mbu I (Baforchu) then progressed to Santa Native Authority English school and was later transferred to Government School Bamenda Up-Station where he graduated with his First School Leaving Certificate. From there, he attended C.P.C Bali, between the years 1954-1959 where he obtained his Secondary School Leaving Certificate and later, the Cambridge West African School Certificate.
He attended the Federal School of Forest Research – University of Ibadan- Western Nigeria from 1961 to 1963 where he graduated with a Certificate of Science Degree in Forestry and Agriculture. While in Nigeria, he took advantage of correspondence programs with Volsey Hall, London, and obtained the London GCE Ordinary and Advance level Certificates.
In 1970, he was among the few privileged to be admitted to the Pan African Institute of Development (Buea and Geneva). Here he graduated with two Diplomas’ in rural development, Economic development and Planning. Being the pivot and head of his family, he declined two scholarships to further his studies in Geneva - Switzerland and Ontario-Canada to concentrate on raising his kids, and being there for the entire family – a course he never drifted from, even from his sick bed during his last days.
In 1980-1982, he attended the “Ecole de faune de Garoua – EFG”, Northern Cameroon, where gained training in Wild life Management Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources, International Ecotourism, Recreation Facility Management, Use of Small Arms/Light Weaponry, First Aid and Emergency Rescue Management. He graduated with a certificate as a Specialist in Wild Life Management and Ecotourism.
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
As part of his professional career, Pa J. M. Batcha, worked as a Forest Technician in Mamfe, Eyumojock, Kumba, Nkambe and Bamenda, towns in Cameroon. He was Project Manager, coordinating the eucalyptus and cypress tree planting of the Bamenda station forest project. As a Forest Technician and Rural Development officer, at a time when afforestation of the grassland area was primordial responsibility to the Ministry of Agriculture, together with his team, many grassland fields were transformed to forest plots, and some wetlands were re-claimed over time.
As Chief of Service for forestry, Bui Division he helped protect the Kilum / Oku forest from indiscriminate deforestation by smugglers of voacanga (a medicinal plant with high pharmaceutical value).
His achievements during his tenue as Divisional Chief of service for forestry and Agriculture Bamenda, Mezam division include educating the people on the hazards of “Ankara farming”, bush fires, charcoal burning, and proper farming techniques. Community service and environmental sustainability was top on his priority and many can testify how he improved or helped in restoring their lands to become more productive.
During the years that he served in double capacity as Divisional Chief of service for Wildlife Management, Fako and Conservator for Korup National Park, Mundemba, he was instrumental in forest and wild life conservation. He accepted the very challenging and dangerous job of transforming the ‘Korup’ from a Game Reserve to a National Park. As the pioneer Conservator of The Korup National Park, his life was constantly at risk from the hunters and poachers and also from the Wildlife that were under protection.
One of his prerogatives as Divisional Chief of service for Tourism and Wildlife Management, Bafoussam, Mifi Division, was to protect the elephants that where being killed indiscriminately at the Sanchou Regional forest. This was also a very dangerous project, because both the hunters and the hunted animals considered him as their enemy. His life depended highly on his expertise and God’s grace during field missions. P a Batcha was a marksman who could kill a raging elephant with a single bullet- a skill his staff depended on when things got out of control during field missions.
HIS LIFE
Pa Batcha spent his life in service to humanity. He could have used his considerable, powerful intellect chasing wealth and power, and there is no doubt that he could have acquired both, but instead he chose to serve. Pa Batcha chose a life of service. And more than that, he had a fundamental and powerful respect for the people he served. He had immense dedication to environment, culture, history and family traditions…..
Community service and leadership were top on his list. A brilliant teacher who was challenging, intelligent, versed in all subject matter, he always demanded excellence from his students. As a disciplinarian, he wanted the best for everyone and for everyone to achieve their greatest potential. All that were privileged to have known him, benefited from his zeal in promoting education and social tidings. Instilling courage in children and getting them heard, were some of his core values.
He had a passion for music. Music lessons with his family were very memorable times. A classy dancer…”waltz”, “guitar”, “step dance” name it…, he had the best moves you could ever imagine. He was a cheerful soul who cracked a lot of jokes because he loved to make people laugh and always lifted people’s spirit up. Anyone who ever knew him was lucky because he was a faithful, honest friend who was always lending a helping hand no matter how great or small the task. Pa Batcha never hesitated to help anyone.
Stemming from a Christian background, he made it a responsibility to ‘pass it on’ to his kids and all who knew him. A highly spiritual person- faithful servant, he believed in doing the right thing always. He was a onetime member of the Christian Men Fellowship group (CMF) of the Presbyterian Church Azire in Cameroon. He may not have been a “church goer” but was a highly spiritual man and lived his life by the golden rule. As an ardent peace maker, he was an excellent moderator who stood for justice and the truth at all times. He was a fearless courageous leader who was thoughtful, had foresight and above all was the voice for the voiceless or less privileged in society.
Papa Joshua Malaban Batcha, “Neih Sango”, simply put, was a hero to his family, relatives and friends. He was a devoted and dedicated husband to his wife Mami Grace Batcha, a fine gentleman. A loving father who was inspiring, nurturing, loved unconditionally. He was caring grandfather who was dependable, encouraging, and protective of all his grandchildren. He was a cherished son who was very obedient, respectful, took care of the whole family. As generous as a brother can be, he was generous to a fault and always took care of the needs of others first. A forgiving uncle, who never held a grudge, never gave up hope on anyone or situation and was always welcoming. His guiding principle was that there was always room for one more. Uniting his family and extended family was a must achievable for him.
ADIEU PAPA
J.M. Batcha’s intellect was really only matched by his humility. He respected the gifts of the intellect and the lives of the working people he served and served with -- and really of all the people he met and bonded with. He was who he was in all aspects of his life, deeply committed to justice, deeply committed to fairness, and deeply committed to kindness and friendship. Pa Batcha tried to make the world a better place because he believed in making a difference and making life better for others.
His life continues to inspire his entire family, clan and those who knew him. He will live in our hearts forever.