The Bamenda I Municipality reached a significant milestone in community development recently, with the official launch of the Bamenda I Council Library.
Located opposite the Proximity Stadium in Atougoulah, this modern facility inaugurated in February 28, 2026 is designed to bridge the gap in educational resources for both children and adults. The inauguration ceremony was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including traditional authorities and education partners, all united by the goal of providing a safe, well-equipped environment where the local population can foster a culture of reading and lifelong learning.
Mayor Mbigha Felix hailed the project as a “dream come true,” expressing deep gratitude to Andrew Nyenty of Education Information Service International (EISERVI) for the initial vision and to the village authorities for providing the land.
The library is currently home to over 3,000 books, ranging from fiction and non-fiction to core curriculum textbooks essential for student research and teacher assignments. The Mayor emphasized that the facility belongs to the community and urged local headteachers to integrate library visits into their weekly school timetables to ensure that every pupil benefits from these resources.
The library’s design is thoughtfully partitioned into specialized zones to cater to different age groups. A highlight of the facility is the “Bamenda I Children’s Corner,” a bright and welcoming space filled not only with books but also with educational games and puzzles intended to keep young minds engaged. Meanwhile, the adult section provides a quiet environment for advanced study and research. To maintain the library’s relevance to the national education system, the council has committed to further enriching the shelves with more curriculum-aligned materials in the near future.
The realization of this project was made possible thanks to the strategic partnership between the Council and Book Aid International, a global NGO dedicated to distributing quality reading materials across Africa. Andrew Nyenty, the Executive Director of EISERVI, shared that the project was approved just one year ago, moving rapidly from a promise made by the Mayor to a physical reality. For Nyenty, a former pupil of PS Ntaafi in the same area, the project is a personal mission to ensure that children in his home community have the tools they need to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Open free of charge every working day from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the Bamenda I Council Library represents more than just a building; it is a gateway to opportunity. By removing the financial barriers to high-quality books, the municipality is empowering its youth to dream bigger and think deeper. The long-term success of this initiative now rests with the community, as teachers, parents, and students are encouraged to fully embrace this new sanctuary of knowledge to build a brighter, more informed future for the region.
