Soba Uk. Feasting with St Joseph in Style

The date was Saturday April 12 2014, the occasion the annual St Joseph feast day commemoration by Soba UK, the place the English Martyrs Catholic church in Reading and the time, a typical Blackman time (BMT) plus two. More than 40 Sobans, close friends and guests were in Reading to respect a time honoured tradition and celebrate the life of the patron saint of their alma mater, St Josephs College Sasse in Buea, South Western Cameroon.

Presiden Akoh- Arrey (R) introduces new VP Bime Lafon (L) who makes a point

The occasion started with a solemn mass officiated by father George Ngwa  who has been in the diocese for just four months from Cameroon. He described Sasse as one of the best Colleges in Cameroon which he just managed to miss attending because as an aspiring priest, neighbouring Bishop Rogan College was more suited to his vocational training. He said ex students of Sasse were almost unique across Cameroon and abroad because of their attachment to the college years and decades after they graduate. He added that former students from other colleges across the country could learn from the Soban example and help improve their alma matar for future generation of students

Shortly after the service, new Soba UK President Ayuk Akoh-Arrey used the light refreshment part of the occasion to introduce some members of his new executive including Vice president Bime Lafon, Secretary General John Bawak, and Financial Secretary Batey Tako.  He also acknowledged the behind the scenes work done by the events management team including the part played by Thompson Egbe and Oscar Njumbe, to make the occasion a success.

Akoh-Arrey promised among other things to work to increase the visibility and the interest of the UK branch of Soba for the next two years including involving as many Sobans as possibly in the running of the association. He said he wanted every soban in the UK to fell like one big and uniting family.

Soba Uk Vice president Joki Manga later led Sobans in singing the school anthem and a song to celebrate the patron saint of the college…”with St Joseph ever near to guide us…”

Soba Europe VP Joki Manga shows off his dance moves

The rest of the evening was passed away in not so quiet enjoyment which included some light refreshment, networking and of course dancing.

Elder Soban Dr Sako Burnley, his wife and son arrived a bit late in the day but the smiling doctor gave the occasion some elderly gravitas.

For those who were not lucky enough to attend, these pictures tell the story of the night