Who we are
About BOBA USA
Based in the U.S., we are known as BALI OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, hence BOBA USA, with our members referred to as BOBANS. BOBA USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by alumni of Cameroon Protestant College (CPC), a secondary and high school located in Bali, in the North West region of Cameroon.
26 YEARS HISTORY OF BOBA-USA (1993-2019)
During the winter months of 1989, a group of CPC Bali ex-students who gathered to play table tennis at the home of Mr. Victor Ndonyi in Wheaton, MD discussed the need to form a Bali Old Boys Association in the US. As a result of this discussion, a follow up planning meeting took place in March 1989 at Victor’s home. Below is a timeline of events that proceeded.
1989
On April 29, 1989, the first BOBA chapter in the United States, later called BOBA DC, was formed. The meeting was hosted at the home of Mr. Eric Igwacho in The Presidential Towers Apartments located at 1836 Metzerott Road, Apt 1107, Adelphi, MD 20783.
The nine founding members who attended this meeting were:
Mr. Victor Ndonyi |
Mr. Carl Moni |
Mr. Julius Abangma |
Fon Eric Anyangwe (RIP) |
Mr. Eric Igwacho |
Mr. Adolph Ngundam |
Mr. Eric Aseneh (RIP) |
Mr. Sabum Anyangwe |
Mr. Felix Fokum |
The first elected executive officers were:
President: | Mr. Carl Monie |
Vice President: | Mr. Victor Ndonyi |
Secretary: | Mr. Eric Igwacho |
Treasurer: | Fon Eric Anyangwe |
1993
At the first national convention held at the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, MD, BOBA USA was formed.
The first elected executive officials of the branch were:
President: | Dr. Stephen Andoseh |
Vice President: | Mr. Charles Abam |
Secretary General: | Mr. Eric Igwacho |
Treasurer: | Fon Eric Anyangwe |
Organizing Secretary: | Mr. Elias Mancho |
Among other things, this Convention could be remembered for the unfortunate rivalry between two sister alumni associations, namely BOBA USA and Kupexa USA. Both associations had scheduled their conventions for the same weekend in the same city, with neither willing to reschedule. BOBA USA was first to schedule but Kupexa USA, which was one of the most organized associations at the time, later scheduled for the same weekend.
Due to strategic planning that included a well attended BBQ, an entertaining soccer game between the Sobans and the Bobans, a unique advertisement (the “this cow must be consumed” flier designed by Bah Carl Monie), and a superior choice of the Convention gala hall, the BOBA-USA convention easily dominated.
1990:
BOBA DC was launched in the DC Cameroon community through a free Christmas Party that took place in DC on December 22, 1990.
Bobans were hailed by the community for their generosity.
1992
After a period of inactivity, a committee was created to revitalize the association and explore the possibility of expanding the association to a national level.
The Re-Awakening Committee, headed by Dr. Steve Andoseh and Mr. Joseph Mancho, was created.
The two committee leaders and a group of other Bobans made trips to Chicago, Minnesota and Atlanta to sensitize other Bobans living in those areas.
A national meeting (convention) to start a BOBA USA branch was then planned for the following year.
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