The donation done through Minister Paul Atanga Nji and Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi and coordinated by Fon Ju Wilson, brought smiles and hope to the children
Some 700 pupils and students in Menchum Division of the North-West Region have received books donated by President Paul Biya ahead of the 2026/2027 school year.
The books, valued at about FCFA 3.7 million, were distributed on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Wum Municipal Grandstand. The donation was made through the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, and the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure, Henri Eyebe Ayissi.
The distribution exercise was coordinated by His Majesty Fon Ju Wilson of Koshin and presided over by the Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum, Abdoulaye Aliou.
The gesture comes at a time when many families in Menchum continue to face economic difficulties linked to the ongoing crisis in the North-West. For parents already struggling to provide basic necessities, the cost of school books and other learning materials can make the return to school even more difficult.
Speaking during the ceremony, SDO of Menchum welcomed the initiative, describing it as meaningful support for children preparing to return to school.
He said the difficulties caused by the crisis had made it increasingly difficult for many parents to meet the educational needs of their children. He therefore expressed appreciation to President Biya, Ministers Atanga Nji and Henri Eyebe Ayissi, as well as Fon Ju Wilson, for supporting children in the division.
He said the donation will encourage more children to return to school, not only in Wum but across the different subdivisions of Menchum.
He also called on other traditional rulers, elites and members of the House of Chiefs to follow the example by supporting education across the entire division rather than limiting assistance to individual communities.
For Fon Ju Wilson, the book distribution is intended to become a continous initiative. He expressed appreciation to the two ministers for their support in making the 2026 exercise possible and promised to maintain the programme in the coming years.
The Fon also announced plans to expand the initiative into a scholarship programme. According to him, the programme is expected to gradually support children from the primary level through secondary school and, eventually, university.
He encouraged children who face difficulties in continuing their education to seek support, stressing that education remains one of the most important investments a community can make in its young people.
Drawing from his own experience, Fon Ju Wilson said he understood the difficulties faced by children growing up in Menchum. He recalled having to struggle to obtain books and continue his education and said his present position gave him an opportunity to help young people facing similar challenges.
He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the assistance by taking their studies seriously and becoming responsible citizens.
The Fon also linked education to peace and development, appealing to young people to reject violence and contribute to the restoration of peace in Menchum.
He argued that development projects, including roads, require huge financial resources and cannot be achieved sustainably without peace. He therefore called for greater efforts to educate and engage young people on the importance of peace and development.
For the beneficiaries, the books provide practical assistance as schools prepare to reopen for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Fon Ju Wilson said the children receiving the books today could become the leaders, professionals and development actors of tomorrow, making investment in their education an investment in the future of the entire division.
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