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Eric Njolair
Eric Njolai unexpectedly left us for the Lord on August 9, 2024, at his home in Belmayne, Dublin, Ireland at the age of 55. He left peacefully in the comfort of his wife and son. Eric was born on August 4, 1969, at St. Elizabeth’s General Hospital, Kumbo, AKA Shisong General Hospital, in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. He was the 3rd of five children born to Pa Engelbert Njolai and Mami Theodosia Njolai. After completing primary school, Eric gained admission into St Augustine’s College Nso where he graduated in 1986 and passed his GCE Ordinary levels with flying colors. Two years afterwards, he obtained his Advanced Level Certificate in 5 science subjects from CPC Bali. He would proceed to register in the Physics/Chemistry Department of the University of Yaounde in 1988. That academic year he took and passed the competitive entrance examination into Ecole National Superieure des Industries Agro-Alimentaires du Cameroon – ENSIAAC Ngaoundere, Cameroon. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.
After obtaining his first degree in Cameroon, he left for further studies in Germany. He attended The University of Applied Sciences, Wedel, Germany (“Wirschatsingenieur”) where he obtained his master’s degree in industrial engineering in 1999. Eric also studied and obtained a Post Graduate Diploma In Administration and Management from the same institution.
How did an Industrial Engineer become an accomplished Certified Public accountant? That is the unique inspirational story of Eric’s professional life.
The Eric we all know was not only intelligent but had foresight. He started studying accounting by distance learning during his undergraduate years at ENSIAAC Ngaoundere. Despite his busy schedule Eric later enrolled into the CPA program and became Certified Public Accountant in 2008. He also studied and qualified as a Chartered Internal Auditor and subsequently obtained a diploma in Investment Funds.
Eric was a consummate and accomplished professional with over 20 years in the financial services industry and at his death, some of his acclaimed board memberships include:
· Member, Institute of Internal Auditors UK & Ireland.
· Member, Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Ireland
. Member, Institute of Bankers, Ireland
Videos of Eric
Eric’s Life
The Family Man:
Eric was married to Vera Chilla, a soulmate he met in Germany just as she arrived from Cameroon in 1995. Eric and Vera tied the knot in Douala – Cameroon in January 2003. They had an enjoyable, loving, happy and fruitful marriage. The couple were blessed with a smart and beautiful daughter, Beri Njolai and an intelligent handsome son, Bime Njolai.
Eric was not only a wonderful husband and father but a dad everyone would want to have. He was soft spoken, understanding, and always ready to lend an ear and a helping hand, even to people he did not know. He was a devout Christian who took his faith with utmost seriousness.
A Self Driven Man
Eric was self-driven, patient, focused and a visionary. He always knew the path that was right even when everyone else felt it was a misjudgment or miscalculation. This is clearly demonstrated in his decision to return to Cameroon after completing his studies in Germany. This decision was obviously very unpopular with almost everyone including his family. Upon arrival to Cameroon, he headed directly to his birthplace, Shisong General hospital whilst waiting for the opportunity to get a job.
In his usual self, he was so eager to give back to the community. To satisfy this urge, he volunteered to create the first Data & Systems Improvement Initiative geared towards computerizing the operations of the hospital. For almost a year, Eric devoted all his time to this project for free. This initiative in hindsight defined Eric’s mindset. Yes, his innate drive to give back to the community in a meaningful way.
Professional Life
Whilst volunteering at Shisong Hospital he became aware of an opening in Ernst & Youngs (EY) that required someone with an Industrial Engineering background who would focus on audits in the manufacturing and the Oil & Gas sectors. With his penchant for details, planning, strong organizational skills and love for data, this opening was a perfect fit for Eric. He interviewed and was hired in 2001 and quickly became Audit Senior. In 2004, Eric left EY for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) as Assistant Manager, a coveted position for such a young man in such a highly regarded multinational Company.
His love for family led Eric to leave Cameroon in 2006 for the Republic of Ireland. He took up his first job in Ireland with Trinity Fund Administration Ltd in early 2007 as the Head of Audit & Financial Reporting. He held this position until 2014.
He later took up a new position with Centaur – Institute of Internal Auditors UK & Ireland as Manager Financial Reporting in January 2015. He held this position for 7 years. The company was later acquired by Waystone and Eric was appointed 1st Associate Director – Financial Reporting. A position he held until his demise
The Community Man
Eric Njolai was very grounded and active within his community. He was a very passionate and big advocate for the development and advancement of Africa. This earned him praise, admiration and support from everyone.
He occupied several leadership positions outside his professional world including the following.
Former Director at The Howth community Credit Union since 2006. He also served in other capacities including as a member of the investment and credit committees, Vice chairman of the Board and finally as Treasurer in 2014. President of Bongkintati Ireland ( Association of Sons and Daughters of Nso in Ireland.
Former Financial Secretary and President of NOWACIRE Group (Association of Cameroonians from The Northwest Region of Cameroon, in Ireland).
Financial Secretary of Nso Family Union (NFU) Europe – the Association of people from Nso in Cameroon. Living in Europe). Eric has been a brainchild in strengthening and building capacity in what is today’s NFU-Europe. BFU-USA Inc: Eric also participated actively in Bui Family Union (BFU) – USA conventions. He was a contributing writer (IT, Finance & Investment) in the BFU-USA Magazine, donor to BFU-USA projects and as a panelist.
The Projects Man
Eric was a big thinker and always driven by projects with potentially significant value impact on the community. At every point of his life, Eric always had a project that could change lives and add value.
To achieve this, he saw value in community integration and became a leader who was very instrumental in setting up development projects; a few of which are listed below. T-Quarries: This was a multimillion investment in quarries in Kumbo, Cameroon. The business was supplying construction stones and gravel for road construction and other building projects in the North West Region of Cameroon and beyond. Unfortunately, production was halted because of the civil war.
Information Technology Centers – ITC: The project was aimed at providing reliable satellite-based internet connectivity in all secondary, high schools and Universities to ensure limitless access to learning materials. The first functioning Centers were opened in Kumbo, Bafut and Buea. The project was suspended because of the civil war and inaction from the government of Cameroon.
Community Investment Beyond Philanthropy – CiBP: The platform supports small business initiatives (entrepreneurs) by bringing entrepreneurs and investors together for mutual gains. The investors provide capital for reasonable returns. So far it has supported over 20 projects.
MBAM Project: This is a digital business platform aimed at helping to facilitate monetary transactions in Cameroon and the rest of the world by obviating the need for cash and internet connection. Although the critical partners have approved MBAM, the Cameroon government is in the process of approving the license to operate. AgroBio International Ltd: Eric also championed an agropastoral start-up, focusing on building a production plant for the primary, secondary and tertiary transformation of agropastoral products to supply the community with healthy organic foods including cocoa processing & chocolate manufacturing.
Others: There are many other projects (some in healthcare & mining) that took Eric to Hong Kong, Dubai, Zambia, South Africa and Nigeria etc. His ultimately realized dream is all of YOU here today! To so many people around the world, Eric was such an epitome of great virtue. He was a loving father, husband, son, brother, friend and confidant. He was also a community builder, a great thinker, an advocate for peaceful change, an entrepreneur, a great neighbour and a consummate professional. His untimely departure is a huge loss to humanity and his community.
My Song