Biography of Ni Martin Akonya Anyangwe
A Life Well Lived
(Son of Man)
December 12, 1951 – September 1, 2025
Ni Martin Akonya Anyangwe affectionately known to many as Ni Martin or “Son of Man”—was born on December 12, 1951, in Oshie, Cameroon, to Fon Etunyi Mathew Anyangwe II and Elizabeth Mandi Anyangwe. He was the last of four children from his mother, and a proud brother to a vibrant extended family of siblings from his father’s royal lineage.
Ni Martin’s childhood was one of movement, curiosity, and determination, growing up in various towns including Oshie, Victoria, Mamfe, Lagos, Tiko, and Limbe. His education journey began in 1956 at Basel Mission School, Oshie, at a time when school admission was determined not by records, but by whether a child’s arm could reach over their head to touch the opposite ear.
His brilliance and passion for learning carried him through Basel Mission Boys School in Victoria, then to Basel Mission School Azire in 1963—where a humble, worn bicycle wheel became his daily companion, helping him commute from Nkwen to Azire. After passing the Common Entrance Exam in 1964, he attended Federal Bilingual Grammar School, Man O’ War Bay, eventually excelling in French enough to pass the Brevet exam and gaining entry to CCAST Bambili.
This mastery of French would change the course of his life. In 1971, at just 20, he was appointed French Tutor at Saker Baptist College, one of Cameroon’s most prestigious schools. Known as “Monsieur le Professeur”, he quickly distinguished himself and was named Best Academic Staff by the principal in 1972. That same year, an unexpected radio announcement would alter his trajectory once more—he had been awarded a scholarship to study Electrical Engineering at the University of Lagos.
During his time at the University of Lagos, where he studied Engineering on a prestigious scholarship, Rolly-Martin as he was fondly known quickly stood out not just for his academic excellence, but also for his commitment to student leadership and community.
He joined the National Union of Cameroon Students in Africa (NUCS Africa) and participated actively in local chapter meetings. Even in a foreign country, he found ways to remain grounded in his identity and engaged with fellow Cameroonian students. By the end of his first year, his leadership qualities were undeniable. When elections came around, he encountered very little resistance and was appointed Secretary-General of NUCS, a role he served with integrity, vision, and purpose.
But his leadership didn’t end with graduation.
In the early 1980s, as the number of ex-students from the University of Lagos began to grow within the community, a union was formed to keep that shared legacy alive. Members, proudly calling themselves Akokites (a name derived from Akoka, the location of the University), began meeting monthly in one another’s homes. The gatherings grew in popularity, becoming both social and professional support networks for alumni.
When it came time to form an executive committee, Rolly-Martin was unanimously elected as the first President of the Akokites Union — a fitting continuation of his long-standing commitment to unity, leadership, and service. Under his guidance, the union thrived, building a strong bond among former students and contributing positively to the community around them.
These roles both at university and beyond are just two shining examples of the kind of leader Dad was: humble, respected, and always ready to serve.
Graduating in 1976, he returned to Cameroon to begin his career at Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC). Ni Martin married his beloved wife, Pauline Enjeh Anyangwe (née Ayatong), and together they were blessed with five wonderful children over 14 years. Sadly, Pauline passed away suddenly in April 1996, a heartbreaking loss that deeply affected the family.
Over 35 years in CDC, he went from Pupil Engineer/Manager at Mondoni Oil Mill to Electrical Services Manager, and ultimately to the General Manager’s Office in Limbe, overseeing critical electrical power and communication infrastructure.
In October 2003, Dad was given another chance at companionship. He met a young and beautiful lady and they were formally married again, a new chapter of life.
In 2004, he was honored with three Labor Medals of Honor in recognition of his 25 years of meritorious service at CDC.
But beyond his technical brilliance and professional accolades, Ni Martin was a man of deep passion, enduring faith, and boundless love. He was an avid tennis player who played competitively for over 40 years in clubs across the nation—from Bota Tennis Club, Victoria Club, Kumba Club, Mamfe, Club 58 Bamenda, to Yaoundé Tennis Club, Kribi, Lobe tennis Club, etc. In his own words:
“By the grace of God, going into tennis worked out really good for me. It kept me reasonably sound and fit to carry out my daily activities.”
After ten years of marriage, both parties agreed to separate peacefully and amicably, with mutual understanding and respect. Around this time, Ni Martin retired from the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) and relocated to the United States with his two youngest daughters, reuniting with family and embracing a new season of life.
He was also a founding member of several organizations that fostered faith, unity, and community: Edom Social Meeting, OCA, CMF (since 1987), and the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, USA.
Beyond his personal story, Ni Martin authored many books spanning technical education and cultural preservation. As an expert in electrotechnology, he wrote insightful texts that educated and inspired others in the field. But perhaps even more meaningfully, he wrote about the people, traditions, and history of Oshie village, capturing the spirit of the community he loved so deeply.
Through these works, he not only educated minds but also preserved a cultural heritage that may otherwise have been forgotten. His writing bridged the past and the future and stands today as a lasting contribution to knowledge and identity.
One of Dad’s greatest personal achievements was also completing his autobiography, Story of My Life, three years before his passing. It was something few people managed to do: to sit down, reflect deeply, and document their life in their own words. That book became more than just a record of events—it became his voice, preserved. For us, it’s a timeless treasure.
Despite enduring some of life’s harshest trials, including surviving prostate cancer, overcoming devastating financial betrayal, and becoming a widower in 1996—his greatest and proudest legacy was raising his five children on his own. He gave everything he had—his strength, his wisdom, and his love—to ensure that Ambo, Ngwisang, Adii, Akam, and Mandi would flourish. Today, they each carry his light in their hearts and in their lives.
He was later blessed with four beloved grandchildren: Micah-Martin, Samida, Samara, and Haven—his pride and joy in his final years.
To those who knew him, Son of Man was more than just a father, engineer, author or teacher. He was a man of laughter, courage, conviction, and service. His presence lit up any room, and his famous saying,
“No one knows tomorrow,”
was a daily reminder to live with humility, joy, and faith.
On September 1st, 2025, in Maryland, he went to be with the Lord. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, service, and love, forever cherished by his children, grandchildren, siblings, friends, and countless lives he touched.