Toghu marathoner, Afowiri Kizito, donates outfit to National Museum.

The ministry scribe received the outfit on behalf of the Minister of Arts and Culture, Bidoung Mkpatt.

This was during a ceremony rich in sound and colour that took place at the National Museum in Yaounde. It held in the presence of the Director of the National Museum, Heumen Tchana Hugues, as well as some close collaborators of the ministry.

Speaking during the ceremony, Blaise Nkene noted that the donation of the outfit by Afowiri Kizito is a testimony for his love and preservation of the cultural identity of the country.

“This gift has a strong emotional charge because it is the result of a deep reflection of the long preservation of the country’s heritage. For Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy, to make the decision to donate this majestic outfit to the National Museum, and an example of the contribution of the universal culture of Cameroon,” Nkene said.

The National Museum, he said, is the perfect place for a symbolic outfit like the one used by the philanthropist during his marathons.

Enter museum director

According to the Director of the National Museum, Heumen Tchana Hugues, the Toghu is not only a national pride but it is a representation of the rich identity of the population of the grassfield of the country which has been transferred from generations to generations.

The National Museum, he added, is the perfect place for such an outfit like the one used by the Toghu Marathoner. He said a special place has been arranged in the National Museum, where like the other treasures, cultural enthusiasts will visit to admire.

Toghu marathoner salutes government 

Speaking to media practitioner after the ceremony, Afowiri Kizito thanked the Minister of Arts and Culture and the National Museum for accepting the donation. 

“This is legacy. This is telling the story for the present, the future. It's not about me, and each time I run out there, it's to represent our country, it's to represent our culture, and it's to represent the future,” Afowiri Kizito said.

Having the outfit at the museum, he said, will serve as an encouragement for others to “run or be encouraged to represent the culture in one way or the other”. 

Afowiri Kizito disclosed that funds raised for the past 19 years from running has been channeled to charity.

“We have been doing a lot of non-profit programmes across Cameroon. We provided didactic, did assessment for kids to assess their learning capabilities and now we are passionate about autism,” he said, revealing he felt touched learning that they were 800,000 kids in the country in need. 

“We need to know that all the children are our children, irrespective of how they learn. They might have different learning capabilities, but now my mission is through marathons to make sure that we all, parents, teachers. We understand these kids and help them get the intervention that they need at an earlier phase,” Afowiri Kizito said.

The donation of the outfit, he said, is a dream come true to him. “I am quite emotional about it. I am privileged I donated the outfit to the National Museum, for in some areas, it would not be accepted. So, I want to thank Cameroonians and everyone who has been supporting me,” he said. 

Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy in a nutshell 

Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy, also known as Toghu Marathoner, was born on December 26, 1972, in Bamenda, North West Region. He attended several primary schools in the country. 

He holds of a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Dschang, and a Master's degree in Business Administration and International Studies from the University of St Thomas in Houston, Texas, USA. 

Afowiri began participating in marathons, in 2011 when he participated in the Thunder Road Marathon in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States to raise funds for underprivileged children. He also took part in the Houston Marathon in 2017, Boston and Sydney Marathon in 2023. 

In 2024, Afowiri set a Guinness World Record for marathon running, becoming the first man to hold the record for the fastest marathon run completed while wearing a Toghu attire, completing the race in four hours and 24 minutes. 

In September 2024, Afowiri took part in the Medellín Marathon in Colombia, to raise funds for underprivileged children and he was recognised as an Abbott World Marathon Majors Medallist, after completing all six major world marathons thus joining the elite ranks of top global marathoners.

His last feat was in March 2025 during the Antarctica Marathon that made him an Abbott Major Marathon Six Star Medallist. He holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run in traditional Toghu attire is an Abbott Major Marathon Six Star finisher. 

In 2006, he established a non-governmental organisation known as the Amom Foundation. In 2024, Afowiri participated in the Tokyo Marathon, Japan, part of the World Marathon Majors, WMM series, to raise funds. 

He is involved in various social and charitable activities including, Awareness for autism, the construction of schools, and the provision of didactic materials to schools build and the construction of bridges to enhance infrastructure and connectivity in some areas of the country. 

His works made him earn the traditional title of “Nformi Kilé” loosely translated as General of Runners awarded by the Fon of Nso, HRM Sehm Mbinglo II.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3514 of Friday July 25, 2025