By Mabi Azefor Fominyen
Another highlight was the grand Cameroonian buffet, a feast for the senses, that left everyone in high spirits.
Showing posts with label mabi azefor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mabi azefor. Show all posts
Friday, 30 May 2025
Mistress of Ceremonies! I joined my country to celebrate it's National Day!
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Another Feather on my cap!
By Mabi Azefor Fominyen
Oh My Gosh!
It has been a while since I last posted an article on this blog. I am even tempted to think that I might have forgotten the basics when it comes to blogging ! Let's see how this goes once more.
When 2014 drew closer to its end, I was so taken by my school work . I had to put in so much time and energy in to completing my research work and submitting my dissertation on time, in order to complete my Masters course and thus graduate on time.
Gladly, I did!
This however meant I had to either forgo or completely put aside many other things, including blogging ( oh yes I did). I was obliged to put in all the much needed time, energy and effort to be able to finish as expected.
I then went on to attend the Viva Voce, where I had a chance to present and defend my research. Thank God, it went really well. With lots of positive feedback from the Jury members and comments on how schools could benefit from such a study thus improving their marketing strategies and ensuring survival. I could finally heave a huge sigh or relief. School was somehow over! With such enthusiasm , I so looked forward to graduation day. It was thus time to get things set for my Big Day!
Helas! It all came together on October 31, 2015 when I stood there at the ceremonial ground at Nkumba University-Uganda. It was graduation day. A feeling of achievement filled my mind. I followed the ceremony keenly and when my name was read out, I whispered to myself ' Thank you Lord, it is done, another feather on my cap'.
As I walked across the ceremonial ground I couldn't help but quietly say to myself, 'So this is it!'
I could feel a sense of pride running through my spine, I thought of the love and support I had received through out from my husband, my kids, family members and friends . I flashed back to the many hours spent listening to lectures over the past two years, sharing knowledge with my classmates, time spent doing assignments, course work, exams and above all working on my dissertation. I felt grateful for the lessons learnt as well as the guidance and support from my lecturers and my supervisor.
There was every reason to celebrate. I had finished in style. I had earned good grades and completed the course in record time.
Once back home, it was time to party.
Family members and friends were attendance.
I had so looked forward to this day that I felt like crying when everything came together. Friends and family members expressed really kind words on my behalf.
It was a day to remember indeed. I remain grateful to God, my entire family, beloved ones, friends and neighbours for their love, support and kindness.
I had promised myself , I wanted a Masters Degree. For reasons beyond my control, and prior to this, I wasn't able to find the exact time nor the funds to enroll for one. How much more happier could I have been on that Day! The joy was enough to wipe away the stressful moments leading to the final lap of the journey.Thanks darling for everything!
Oh My Gosh!
It has been a while since I last posted an article on this blog. I am even tempted to think that I might have forgotten the basics when it comes to blogging ! Let's see how this goes once more.
When 2014 drew closer to its end, I was so taken by my school work . I had to put in so much time and energy in to completing my research work and submitting my dissertation on time, in order to complete my Masters course and thus graduate on time.
Gladly, I did!
This however meant I had to either forgo or completely put aside many other things, including blogging ( oh yes I did). I was obliged to put in all the much needed time, energy and effort to be able to finish as expected.
I then went on to attend the Viva Voce, where I had a chance to present and defend my research. Thank God, it went really well. With lots of positive feedback from the Jury members and comments on how schools could benefit from such a study thus improving their marketing strategies and ensuring survival. I could finally heave a huge sigh or relief. School was somehow over! With such enthusiasm , I so looked forward to graduation day. It was thus time to get things set for my Big Day!
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| Decor for graduation party at home |
Helas! It all came together on October 31, 2015 when I stood there at the ceremonial ground at Nkumba University-Uganda. It was graduation day. A feeling of achievement filled my mind. I followed the ceremony keenly and when my name was read out, I whispered to myself ' Thank you Lord, it is done, another feather on my cap'.
As I walked across the ceremonial ground I couldn't help but quietly say to myself, 'So this is it!'
I could feel a sense of pride running through my spine, I thought of the love and support I had received through out from my husband, my kids, family members and friends . I flashed back to the many hours spent listening to lectures over the past two years, sharing knowledge with my classmates, time spent doing assignments, course work, exams and above all working on my dissertation. I felt grateful for the lessons learnt as well as the guidance and support from my lecturers and my supervisor.
Once back home, it was time to party.
Family members and friends were attendance.
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| Family and friends on graduation day |
 |
| A cross-section of guests at the party |
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| George F. and Mr Yankuba |
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| Word from Classmate- Mr. Charles Mwaka |
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| Word from Cameroonian community courtesy of Mrs. Christine Besong |
I had promised myself , I wanted a Masters Degree. For reasons beyond my control, and prior to this, I wasn't able to find the exact time nor the funds to enroll for one. How much more happier could I have been on that Day! The joy was enough to wipe away the stressful moments leading to the final lap of the journey.Thanks darling for everything!
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| Dance moves with hubby. |
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| Word from Mrs. Catherine Fominyen-on behalf of the family |
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Why Did You Leave Me?
By Mabi Azefor Fominyen
I woke up this morning thinking of someone I loved so dearly.
I loved him so much and I always wanted him by me so dearly.
But he left me.
Indeed he left me!
Time has passed but the love I had for him has stayed on.
If I could turn back the hands of time, I would, just to have him stay by me!
Thirteen years have gone past yet it feels like yesterday!
Thirteen indeed, for he left on August 6, 1996
And today is August 6, 2009.
And I am wondering:
How time passes!
How I still think of you dearly!
How I still miss you dearly!
How wonderful such moments were, with you loving, caring, teaching and guiding!
How you made me grow through life rather than go through it, aiming high!
How you lastly told me to “Be Careful in all you do”.
You gave me life and a sense of direction.
You taught me never to forget what you defined as
“The basic needs of life- God, Education, Food/Water, Shelter & Medication”.
You often walked the talk.
Yours was an exemplary life, a life worth emulating Dad!
I thank God for you papa!
But you left me too soon Dad! You left us too soon Papa!
Sometimes I wonder if I ever told you I loved you dearly!
Would you have stayed longer if I did? RIP dad!
I woke up this morning thinking of someone I loved so dearly.
I loved him so much and I always wanted him by me so dearly.
But he left me.
Indeed he left me!
Time has passed but the love I had for him has stayed on.
If I could turn back the hands of time, I would, just to have him stay by me!
Thirteen years have gone past yet it feels like yesterday!
Thirteen indeed, for he left on August 6, 1996
And today is August 6, 2009.
And I am wondering:
How time passes!
How I still think of you dearly!
How I still miss you dearly!
How wonderful such moments were, with you loving, caring, teaching and guiding!
How you made me grow through life rather than go through it, aiming high!
How you lastly told me to “Be Careful in all you do”.
You gave me life and a sense of direction.
You taught me never to forget what you defined as
“The basic needs of life- God, Education, Food/Water, Shelter & Medication”.
You often walked the talk.
Yours was an exemplary life, a life worth emulating Dad!
I thank God for you papa!
But you left me too soon Dad! You left us too soon Papa!
Sometimes I wonder if I ever told you I loved you dearly!
Would you have stayed longer if I did? RIP dad!
Friday, 20 February 2009
I Love To Cook! It Gives Me Joy!
By Mabi Azefor Fominyen
2 cups of all purpose flour,
I remember growing up as a young girl in a family of seven (five girls and two boys). Our mother made sure the girls all took turns to cook. She would teach us many recipes and how to prepare food using the ingredients available at home at any given time - put simply: how to "manage" .
Each one of us received feedback and ratings for the food we prepared. Good ratings were quite motivating and made us love cooking the more! I still remember the family sitting on the dinning table and my mum saying "thanks to today's cook, keep it up, may be next time you have to reduce the amount of oil you put in the beans" and I would actually feel some relief, just like my sisters did each time mum commented on the food.
I have never stopped cooking and doing my own ratings since then. In fact I love all that has to do with cuisine. At home I spend the greater part of my time in the kitchen. I am passionate about collecting and trying out new recipes. Posting them on the fridge as well as sharing them with others.
As a TV -Presenter, I carried along my love for cookery to the 3-hour breakfast show "HELLO" on the Cameroon National Television(CRTV) , launched in February 2006. It was the first time-ever that viewers were witnessing live-cooking on Cameroonian Television.
As a duet with "Hello"s consultant Mrs Mathilda Ntamack (Auntie Mathilda) - an educationist/home-economist with a passion for cookery - we prepared a variety of items on the set. We explained to viewers the different steps to follow for certain recipes as well as served food to the guests on the live-show. We made quick breakfast options, salads, pastries, desserts and lots of other recipes.
The feedback from Viewers was terrific!
Cooking on the "Hello" set became a tradition with viewers watching out for the new recipes and cookery tips each day I came on set. I upheld the tradition even when "Auntie Mathilda" became less regular on set. I didn't mind that this entailed buying the items and transporting the utensils from my kitchen to "Hello's kitchen".
How about sharing with you, my latest recipe for what I call home-made six simple cup-cakes
2 cups of all purpose flour,
1/2 cup of sugar,
1/2 cup oil or butter,
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs, 3-teaspoons of baking powder,
1 teaspoon vanilla flavour and /or nutmeg.
- Heat oven to 350°F or 175° C
- Whisk the egg white, add and mix sugar, oil or butter, vanilla and milk.
- Mix the dry ingredients separately before combining the wet and dry ingredients ( flour, baking powder, nutmeg)
- Gradually add into the mixture and be sure its smooth, then beat the yoke add and mix well.
- Oil the cake pan, fill in the six -cups and bake for 25 - 30 minutes. Remove, leave to cool for about 2minutes before removing them from the cake pan.
Try it out , its easy and delicious.
Enjoy it!
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Stop Violence! Real Men Don't Abuse Women/Girls!
By Mabi Azefor Fominyen
She is sometimes beaten in class by her male classmate, threatened at home by her brothers, sexually harassed in her office by her male colleagues, raped in her community by a man, coerced into sex by another man , molested by her husband or male partner, abused by a family member, assaulted by a neighbour, a stranger.................. .....................! Yet she deserves a better world!
Violence and abuse may vary in form. Sometimes it's the physical.This includes, pushing, slapping, hitting with fist, pulling of hair, chocking and the use weapons. It could be sexual and in some cases men use damaging objects without the woman's consent (stories of such acts are now common in the media ). It could be psychological as well as emotional- sometimes causing traumas.
Throughout the world, violence against women and girls, kills and maims vast numbers; it fills their lives with pain and terror from which some never recover.It affects the young and the old, the married and unmarried. It also affects people who are dating, single, cohabiting, divorced, gay or lesbian. People from all social, ethnic, religious, racial and economic groups.
"Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation.And it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot be making real progress towards equality, development and peace" (Kofi Annan, March 8, 1999)
In spite of efforts to curb violence and abuse, statistics still paint a horrifying picture of what women go through in different communities. Violence has not been abated. Some gender specialists and activists have opined that violence against women has become as much a pandemic as HIV/AIDS or malaria.
Why then do men continue to abuse women/girls ? And how comes women continue to bear it?
At this point am tempted to share some of the responses and words I got when I put this question to a cross section of people as I sampled opinions needed for my radio programme:
"because some men think it makes them stronger", " because many societies celebrate male dominance and encourage men to do so coupled with rigid gender roles", " some cultural, traditional, economic and social factors put women in a tight corner, making her vulnerable thus she gets abused by the man", " men who abuse women were equally abused in their childhood ", "some men are weak , alcoholics, possessive and think by using violence it makes them appear macho", " marital violence", "some women bear it out of love, others have no other option so the men take them for granted hence, some are poor so they are used and abused, others just fell into the wrong hands ........................."
In addition to raising awareness on issues surrounding violence and abuse, there's certainly the need for a change in perception and attitudes. The need to move from mere rhetoric to concrete actions such that perpetrators of acts of abuse get adequately exposed and punished, while victims report to the right quarters and survivors speak out in a bid to check such abuses. Of course governments and other individuals would have to give it more attention than is the case in most countries today.
To the woman or girl who is being abused , its important to asses the situation and look carefully at the options in front of you. Meantime, you might want to draw up a strategic safety plan , stretch out for help from family members, individuals and organisations and try getting much information that could be helpful even as you try to make better the situation.
To you the man, why not start treating 'HER' like a queen? Afterall 'SHE' treats you like her king quite often. Besides she is a human being and not an object meant to be abused. Above all she is your sister, friend, mate, wife, mother, colleague, neighbour, daughter, partner, grandmother, aunt, niece and you name it.
She is sometimes beaten in class by her male classmate, threatened at home by her brothers, sexually harassed in her office by her male colleagues, raped in her community by a man, coerced into sex by another man , molested by her husband or male partner, abused by a family member, assaulted by a neighbour, a stranger.................. .....................! Yet she deserves a better world!
Violence and abuse may vary in form. Sometimes it's the physical.This includes, pushing, slapping, hitting with fist, pulling of hair, chocking and the use weapons. It could be sexual and in some cases men use damaging objects without the woman's consent (stories of such acts are now common in the media ). It could be psychological as well as emotional- sometimes causing traumas.
Throughout the world, violence against women and girls, kills and maims vast numbers; it fills their lives with pain and terror from which some never recover.It affects the young and the old, the married and unmarried. It also affects people who are dating, single, cohabiting, divorced, gay or lesbian. People from all social, ethnic, religious, racial and economic groups.
"Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation.And it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot be making real progress towards equality, development and peace" (Kofi Annan, March 8, 1999)
In spite of efforts to curb violence and abuse, statistics still paint a horrifying picture of what women go through in different communities. Violence has not been abated. Some gender specialists and activists have opined that violence against women has become as much a pandemic as HIV/AIDS or malaria.
Why then do men continue to abuse women/girls ? And how comes women continue to bear it?
At this point am tempted to share some of the responses and words I got when I put this question to a cross section of people as I sampled opinions needed for my radio programme:
"because some men think it makes them stronger", " because many societies celebrate male dominance and encourage men to do so coupled with rigid gender roles", " some cultural, traditional, economic and social factors put women in a tight corner, making her vulnerable thus she gets abused by the man", " men who abuse women were equally abused in their childhood ", "some men are weak , alcoholics, possessive and think by using violence it makes them appear macho", " marital violence", "some women bear it out of love, others have no other option so the men take them for granted hence, some are poor so they are used and abused, others just fell into the wrong hands ........................."
In addition to raising awareness on issues surrounding violence and abuse, there's certainly the need for a change in perception and attitudes. The need to move from mere rhetoric to concrete actions such that perpetrators of acts of abuse get adequately exposed and punished, while victims report to the right quarters and survivors speak out in a bid to check such abuses. Of course governments and other individuals would have to give it more attention than is the case in most countries today.
To the woman or girl who is being abused , its important to asses the situation and look carefully at the options in front of you. Meantime, you might want to draw up a strategic safety plan , stretch out for help from family members, individuals and organisations and try getting much information that could be helpful even as you try to make better the situation.
To you the man, why not start treating 'HER' like a queen? Afterall 'SHE' treats you like her king quite often. Besides she is a human being and not an object meant to be abused. Above all she is your sister, friend, mate, wife, mother, colleague, neighbour, daughter, partner, grandmother, aunt, niece and you name it.
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