Walter Wilson Nana
11 August 2008
column
This imposing-looking and always cheerful lady has most of what go into the business of entertainment.
She is the Executive Producer of Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant, a Film Maker with the production house; The Shrine Of Africa and the President, African Women's Development Foundation Incorporation, AWDF Inc.
However, Njeuma thinks that there is more to her than this reporter could decipher. "Lady Kate Njeuma is a regular lady, just doing some different things to make a difference as a Cameroonian," she revealed.
The AWDF Inc, which the untiring Njeuma heads, is an NGO, registered in the state of Georgia, USA. "Focus is on healthcare and education of children. We donate medical supplies and equipments to hospitals, books for school children with the aim of promoting education," she mentioned.
As a Film Maker, Njeuma manages The Shrine Of Africa. "This is my movie production company. Our first film is out in the market called Dream Queens. It was shot in Atlanta, Georgia. We've launched it in Cameroon and we are convinced that it will be a huge commercial success," she told this reporter.
A lover of showbiz, Njeuma is not into the silver screen by chance. "It has been a childhood passion and a hobby. Now, I'm giving it a business approach. That's what I'm doing, turning my passion into a business. I am on the success lane because I love what I am doing."
To the Cameroonian movie scene, Njeuma will advise that organisation in all the facets is the major outlet to success. "I see a problem of distribution. Everybody is doing his or her own thing. There is no organisational network to help producers get their stuff out in the market. I do not have any ready made answers but I am observing the scene to see what direction to go."
Njeuma would not agree that her multi-tasks serve in any way an impediment to her life. "I don't think so! All what I do are inter-related. I do a lot of charity work, which come under the NGO, entertainment, production, management of artists and promotion, the case of Prince Ndedi Eyango, which I manage and promote in the USA and Canada, and the biggest event, which I have been doing since 2005, accompanied by a sizable production crew is the Miss Africa USA Pageant.
This is a scholarship pageant and charity event, where we raise funds to help people across the African continent, especially from the country of the winner. 2007 winner, a Nigerian is shipping 25,000 books for schools in Nigeria and also donating medical supplies and equipments to local hospitals in Akwa-Ibom State in Nigeria. Those are the kinds of things one gets involve in and they keep me quite busy. That's how I spend most of my time," she said.
Njeuma will explain how competitive the Miss Africa USA Pageant is within the African community in the USA. "It's highly competitive. We've been running it for the fourth year now. 2008 will be the fourth edition. The entrants are all varsity students, very smart-looking and educated girls.
So, if you cannot stand the heat, you shouldn't be near the fire. It is a good representation and showcases our (African) culture in the USA. Americans are eager to learn and know more about the African continent and her culture. It is such a beautiful event that everybody who comes is touched in one way or the other," she quipped.
According to the entertainer, the feedback in the US has been amazing. "Those who come really enjoy that we can easily unite as Africans under one roof. It is one of the biggest African jamborees in the US, where it brings together different African countries. Generally, Africans are scattered in the US, but this event of ours is a uniting factor. It has been accepted, with an annual attendance of 1,500 guests. We look forward to a gigantic stopover come November 2008."
Like any other human endeavour, there is a strong motivating factor behind the Miss Africa USA Pageant. Njeuma will quickly chip in the powerful sponsorship factor. "We get a lot of corporate support from Western Union, Money Gram, Kenya Airways and more. We also go out to seek sponsorship and the money we raise, we actually give it back in terms of scholarship that we give to the winners and also the charity that we do. Remember, it's a charity event."
On a recent sojourn in Cameroon, Njeuma told this reporter she was in the country to officially invite the Director General of Cameroon Radio and Television, CRTV, Amadou Vamoulke, the Minister of Culture, Ama Tutu Muna and the Editor-In-Chief of The Post Newspaper, Charly Ndi Chia to be party to the upcoming fourth edition of Miss Africa USA Pageant. "Our reason is to see more the culture of Cameroon in the would-be very colourful and splendid event."
A woman of goodwill, Njeuma also came with huge consignments of medical supplies that she presented to the Limbe Provincial Hospital.In the sidelines of her fast-paced lifestyle, Njeuma is a mother of two (Nevita and Embelle) and married to Isaac Njeuma.
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