In new book: Dr Ashu Nyenty x-rays Vatican-Cameroon relations.

The masterpiece, printed on glossy paper, was publicly launched on Friday September 12, 2025, in Yaounde.

The high-level ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including the representative of the Minister, Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency and that of Minister of External Relations.

It was Shu-Azieh Cornelius, who represented Minister Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, while Dr Onambele Ngono Gerald of the Directorate for Europe at MINREX, did same for his boss.

The country’s intelligentsia and book lovers were also in attendance.

In an address presented during Friday’s ceremony, the Chief Launcher, Minister Mbella Mbella, through his representative, praised the author for the scholarly work.

The External Relations boss said the scholarly masterpiece showcases not only a thorough review of the personal life, educational background and “Vocational “path of Pope Leo XIV but above all, particularly provides an in-depth analysis of the rationale behind the “Special” diplomatic ties of friendship and cooperation that link Cameroon to the Holy See.

“In this regard, as the Cameroon Minister of External Relations, it is hence, with profound enthusiasm, that I received a “complimented copy” of this remarkable book, that shall undoubtedly contribute in vividly shedding more light on the numerous challenges that have been awaiting Pope Leo XIV”.

“Thus, in the over 135 pages, Dr Ashu Nyenty portrays not perhaps his excellent command of the English language but rather emphatically, a narrative of ‘Faith’ and ‘Diplomacy’ woven together. To this effect, I among others, I was specifically impressed while reading from pages 112 of Chapter Eight, which expatiate on how Cameroon truly constitutes a friend of the Vatican,” the minister concluded.

For his part, renowned university don and Professor emeritus, Julius Ngoh, described the book as a well-researched publication, which vividly brings to live the humble beginnings of the first North-American, Pope Leo XIV, to head the Roman Catholic Church. 

The former Deputy Vice Chancelor of the University of Buea, said in the book, the author, has left no stone unturned in producing what will definitely be an excellent reference book for scholars and the general public who are in search of a better understanding of the religious and spiritual orientation of the papacy of Pope Leo XIV.

Fast-Food Reportage-Kini Nsom 

In a review of the book, journalism icon and Publisher Delegate of The Post newspaper, Yerima Kini Nsom, described Dr Nyenty’s publication as largely a tell-tale biography of Robert Francis Prevost, whom destiny propelled to the saddle of the most powerful religious empire in the world on May 8, 2025. 

Kini, who is also member of the National Press Card Commission, said the book is a copious document in its own right, walks the reader down memory lane and captures his humble beginnings in Chicago, USA, his trajectory in God’s vineyard to the glorious moments of that epochal day when the famous Habemus Papem ritual was pronounced after the white smoke from the Christine Chapel kissed the air.

Besides harping on the undulating journey of the new successor of St. Peter, the book, he said, triumphs as a fast-food reportage of some the epoch-making actualities that have populated the pregnant pith of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Cameroon. 

As a passionate raconteur with the tenacity of memory who he is, Kini said Dr Ashu Nyenty combines the skills of a keen observer, commentator, analyst, and the penetrating curiosity of a notable journalist, to tell the story of the Pope and his circumstantial idiosyncrasies as a man of destiny.  

Dr Ashu Nyenty, he said, walks the reader down memory lane to revisit the eventful moments in which the Pope visited Cameroon. 

“The readers who lived those events cannot help looking back with nostalgia the fact that our country is the birth place of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, which Pope John Paul II proclaimed in Yaounde in 1995,” Kini mentioned.

He said by skillfully piecing the said facts to together with a fiery command of the English language, Dr Ashu Nyenty lays bare his prowess as a writer with a trained eye for detail and a keen ear for the music of the right word. 

“He displays the power of his pen as a visionary hunched with the patriotic mission of documenting events of national interest in the universe of his social answerability,” Kini continued.

Dr Ashu Nyenty, the author

Dr Ashu Nyenty, it should be said, is a distinguished Public Affairs commentator and political analyst. 

He has garnered numerous accolades for his work in journalism, including awards for Best TV Programme Presenter, a recognition from the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association, CENPA and Excellence in Journalism Practice Award. Additionally, he has received the prestigious Courageous Men Prize.

As Chief Unity Palace Correspondent, Dr Nyenty brings a wealth of experience to his role. Prior to this position, he served as Political Desk Editor and Editor-In-Chief at CRTV National Station. Dr Nyenty’s academic credentials are impressive. 

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the Advanced School Mass Communication, ASMAC. He has earned post-graduate certificates in Journalism from the University of Birmingham and Oxford University. Furthermore, Dr Nyenty holds a Doctor of Philosophy, PhD in Law, specialising in International Human Rights Law. 

He is also author of the seminal book, “Journalist’s Guide to the Law and Legal Reporting in Cameroon”.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3567 of Wednesday September 17, 2025