Appoint Nkwain’s successor; Kom Fon tells gov’t

The Fon of Kom, HRH Fon Vincent Yuh II, has said Government will effectively wipe the tears of Kom people if it quickly appoints the political successor of Bochong Francis Nkwain.

He made the appeal in a condolence massage during the funeral of the late Senator last weekend at Njinikom.

“The Kom people are optimistic that Government shall wipe away their tears and give his spirit a rest by appointing the political successor of late Senator Bochong Francis Nkwain, just as was the case with late Bobe Augustine Jua,” the Fon stated in an eulogy read by one of his Princes, Fidelis Lo-oh. The Fon said the late Nkwain was his messenger to Government and that his death has disconnected him and his kingdom from Government.

To the traditional ruler, the political career of late Nkwain was inextricably linked to the Kom Fondom. “Following the death of one of the greatest pillars of this country in the name of Augustine Ngom Jua in 1977, Mr. Francis Nkwain was chosen within Jua’s native land as his political successor.

The numerous posts of responsibility held by Nkwain since then and the wisdom and the selflessness with which he accomplished the missions assigned to him, did not only assure the Kom people that they were fully part of the nation, but also proved to the entire world that the Kom man was a brave fighter.” To buttress his point, he cited the patriotic spirit with which Bochong Nkwain fought for Cameroon’s admission into the Common Wealth of Nations.

“My beloved fallen son Bochong Francis Nkwain, the Kom people believe that Government shall not fail them because you never failed the Government in the many tasks bestowed on you. Of course, you proved to the world that a Kom man is a brave fighter and we do promise to keep your candle alive,” he averred.

The President of the Njinikom Parish Pastoral Council, Joseph Chiwo, said the news of Nkwain’s death rocked through Njinikom with great pandemonium. He said many people had wished that it turned out to be one of those false rumours. Nkwain, he stated, has left a vacuum that will be felt for a very long time.

He described the fallen politician as someone who served the Church selflessly and an active Christian who belonged to almost all the groups in Church. Chiwo said Nkwain gave freely to the Church, and had started paving the frontage of the Church before death snatched him away.

One of the deceased’s daughters, Bernice Mengot, testified that her father prayed the Rosary and sang “God of Mercy and compassion” before he finally gave up the ghost at the Yaounde Central Hospital on that fateful Sunday, October 19, 2014.

Nkwain’s funeral, that was attended by thousands of mourners from abroad and within the country, stood tall far above the partisan dichotomy that had hitherto ruled the people of the area. The opposition SDF of Njinikom Electoral District came out strongly with an army of Vanguards and a musical band to celebrate the life of someone who incarnated the CPDM in Boyo Division and articulated the party’s ideology wherever he went.

Bochong Nkwain’s funeral was a crowd puller. The entire nation seemed to have been in Njinikom.

Reactions: John B Ndeh, Coordinator Northwest CPDM Section Presidents At one point, this great Hero was the leader of all of us who militated in the ruling party, he was one in who we saw all the good qualities of a leader. He was soft-spoken, even when he is hurt. Senator Nkwain will not shout at you, but he won’t let a wrong idea go uncriticised. He, Senator Njikong and myself worked so well in mobilising our militants to vote for the ruling party in the Presidential, Parliamentary and Municipal elections and, today, the results are there for people to see; we have grown from one seat in Parliament to nine and over 15 councils in the Northwest. So, you see, Senator Nkwain laid a very solid foundation for these victories. We will continue to remember him in our prayers.

Emmanuel Ngafesson, former Secretary of State What tickles my mind, as I sat in church seeing listening to the eulogies, is; when my own day will, come what will Ngafesson be remembered for? He impacted his life on the people of Cameroon and Boyo Division in general. This tells us that, while we are alive, we should always try to satisfy people’s aspirations, but you must understand that we cannot satisfy everybody and nobody is perfect. Senator Nkwain’s contribution to and in the Church was wonderful and I am happy that the church appreciated it. From when I knew him, he was a man who, when he wants to do a thing, he will do it to the admiration of many.

Senator Simon Achidi Achu, former Prime Minister This man was a great collaborator and we did a lot of things together. We always consulted each other, whether it was a political or any development project for our dear Region. A great speaker and teacher has gone to be with our Lord and Saviour. If I were to write a tribute, the space in your newspaper will be too small.

Elhaj Lawan Bako, National Chairman, United Democratic Party, UDP He was a good friend, though we differed politically. I am very glad with the family of Bochong Francis Nkwain brought up with his dear wife. I can remember that, in 1987, I personally wrote to the President of the Republic and proposed three names of people to be appointed and Hon. Nkwain’s name was top on the list, and handed a copy of the letter to him and when he was appointed, he offered me a big bottle of champaign which he opened in front of the Kom Community in Yaounde and congratulated me for contributing greatly to his appointment as Minister in President Biya’s Government. To be more specific, I wrote that letter in January 1987. Thank God the President appointed him, but as I mentioned, we disagreed sharply on his political methodology in Boyo . As the usual saying goes; I and Bochong always disagreed to agree. That is why, when, some two months ago, he invited me to join him in handing-over his micro projects, I told him that we were fasting and it could not be possible for me to attend. Then, two weeks to his death, Bochong called me on the pone telling me that at 83 years, he could die at any time and that we should be ready at any time. We very much regret his early departure. I told Nkwain’s wife in Church that, as Bochong is gone, her illness and that of their daughter, Anne Nsang, will liberate them and they will get well soon.

Hon. Evaristus Njong, MP for Boyo As an uncle to me, I regret his departure because, this was a fighter for the people of Boyo and he only went as far as his strength could permit. He loved Kom and we worked on several things together when it had to do with the development of Boyo, though we came from different political backgrounds. One thing which makes us particularly grateful to Bochong is that, he remains one man who served this Government and left with his head high. He never disgraced Boyo people like others did. He was never associated with embezzlement of public funds.

Terence Chah Bam, Mayor of Njinikom (whose speech was suppressed) I recall that, after the death of Hon. Augustine Ngom Jua, an astute and iconic politician from Njinikom, former Prime Minister of West Cameroon and Member of Parliament from Menchum, Bochong Francis Nkwain emerged and fitted into Jua’s shoes - almost like a square peg in a square hole, to accomplish his dreams, the vision of his people and country. He was a veritable soul and son of Njinikom, which he chose, for very obvious reasons, to call “Teinsah Subdivision.” His love for Njinikom knew no bounds. He was an embodiment of the Kom culture and tradition but, in a very unique way, blended his culture with modernism. He championed the entry of Cameroon into the Commonwealth; he was the brain behind the construction of the Bambui-Fundong road - a concrete reality is that Boyo is the only Division that had a tarred road linking the Regional headquarters, Bamenda. At all times, he was enthusiastic to join hands with the Njinikom Council and other development structures in the municipality and elsewhere to take Njinikom into emergence. Shortly before his demise, he disclosed to me his new vision for Njinikom and his readiness to work with everybody to realise his dream. As a devoted and ardent Christian of the Catholic Church, Bochong successfully transformed the Njinikom Catholic Church surroundings through the ongoing stone paving project with Hon. Evaristus Njong. To him, the political and religious differences that rocked Njinikom were simply different approaches to the development of the Subdivision, and he would speak quite humorously and sometimes satirically of them.

Bochong, I believe strongly in the dream you had for Njinikom. Indeed, working with you, your sense of political maturity makes me a better person. I am convinced you confided in some hierarchy about your dream for Njinikom. I can now ascertain that the tears of Njinikom will soon cease to flow, because, the Master you served unconditionally will open, not a single window, but several, after having closed this door.