Linda Akiambom Lawyer Epse Yang, wife of Prime Minister, Philemon Yang, now has a new appellation. Hence, she will be called Dr. Linda Yang. This follows a brilliant defence of her thesis yesterday March 29 in Amphitheatre 700 of the University of Yaounde I before a no-nonsense jury chaired by Prof. Verkijika Fanso. This was in the presence of officials of the University led by the Rector, Oumarou Bouba, women of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon, colleagues, family members and well wishers. Some members of government were also present.
Before receiving her new attributes as a PhD holder, Mrs Yang went through tough hours. Her thesis titled, “Female Missionary Activities and Change in the Bamenda Grassfield 1904-2006: A Historical Survey” was carefully x-rayed by members of the jury. For close to four hours, she went through tough grilling. The debate was intense and the jury members said it was worth the salt. The questions were difficult and the candidate was up to the task. She edified the jury as well as learned in due course as the exercise added another feather to her academic profile. But before the debate, the candidate was given 20 minutes to present her work. Linda Yang in her presentation brought to the limelight, the role of female missionaries (Baptist, Catholic and Presbyterian) in the socio-economic and religious development of the society with underpinnings on women empowerment. However, the fact that some informants withheld information while others could not keep records due to illiteracy did not make the field work a bed of roses.
Taking to the floor, the candidate’s supervisor, Prof. Albert Pascal Temgoua, was quick to note his satisfaction working with Linda Yang since 2002. He likened the candidate to an exceptional student with unmatched research skills. The five chapter work of 426 pages, the supervisor argued, clearly shows how women missionaries contributed in shaping society, proof of the recent celebration of the Golden Jubilee of most Christian associations in the grasslands.
Six years of field work, full of interviews (over 100 informants) Prof. Fanso said, “the work is a reference when it comes to the role of foreign female missionary activities in development.” After reading, listening and interacting with the candidate, the jury deliberated and sent the crowd and candidate into ecstasy when it announced that Linda Akiambom Lawyer Epse Yang is now Dr. in History. Linda Yang is now Dr. Linda Yang.
