Chief Jonas Orok Nfornjock enthroned in Atibong Wire village

Jonas Orok Nfornjock has been enthroned and installed to his functions as the Chief of Atibong Wire Village, in the Upper Banyang Sub-Division.

He takes over the leadership of the village from his father, Late Chief Stephen Orok Nfornjock, who died in October 2009.

Administrative officials, traditional rulers, local, external and international elite of the village gathered at the Atibong Wire Palace last Saturday, February 28 to witness the grand occasion.

In his speech during the ceremony, the secretary general of the Atibong Wire traditional council, Beteck Harrison Ashu explained that the event was not one meant to review the past but rather to focus on the future of the village with optimism.

On behalf of the traditional council, he called on all to put hands on deck and give the new chief the support he deserves.

In another intervention, Mr Val John Enow, elite of the village, recounted that the new chief’s father and grandfather were very simple in their leadership and expects that Chief Jonas Orok Nfornjock will follow the footsteps of his predecessors.

He stressed that, throughout the lifespan of the village, succession has always been from father to son. When the prefectoral order, No 203/332 of 3/09/2013, appointing Jonas Orok Nfornjoock as Chief of Atibong Wire was read to the hearing of the audience, there was a thunderous applaud indicating total satisfaction from the villagers.

Divisional Officer assigns new chief In his keynote installation speech, the Divisional Officer for Upper Banyang Sub-Division, Alain Ekwe Maloka, said the massive presence of the people symbolises their attachment to tradition and especially to the new chief.

He recounted the series of consultative talks which have occurred in line with the rules and regulations in force to select a chief of the village since 2009 and concluded that it has always been one from a father to a son as in the last six leaders. Hence, it was just right for Jonas Orok Nfornjock to step into his father’s shoes.

He paid hommage to his late chief for the services rendered to the people throughout his reign. “Our records hold that he was a great man whose leadership as a traditional ruler for over 27 years, kept the traditional authority of Atibong Wire pure and at the service of the administration” he remarked.

Drawing from articles 19, 20 and 21 of decree No. 77/245 of 15 July 1977 organising chiefdoms, the Divisional Officer said, as auxiliary to the administration, Chief Jonas Orok Nfornjock has to inform the hierarchy about anybody or groups of persons who engage in any kind of public disorder.

The new chief was asked to keep watch over his subjects and the village folks.

His second role according the Divisional Officer is that of hygiene and sanitation and ensure that the village is kept clean.

Finally, the new chief was told to reunite his family and the entire village of Atibong Wire so that together his objectives will see the light of day.

“Do not be only a chief, but a good chief since your actions will determine the future of the village”, the Divisional Officer maintained.

The presence of the Senior Divisional Officer for Manyu, Mr. Peter Tie Nde, accompanied by his close collaborators as observers of the event, according to the DO, denotes one thing only and that is reconciliation.

He assured the new chief that his intervention in domains reserved for the chief shall be strictly limited to what the chief may solicit.

The Divisional Officer then made the proclamation, “It is on this note that I declare Jonas Orok Nfornjock as third class chief of Atibong Wire” as his declaration met with a standing ovation at the ceremonial grounds, once more confirming the choice of the successor of their late chief.

Profile Born on January 6, 1983 in Mamfe, Chief Jonas Orok Nfornjock has a BSc. Decree in Economics, Finance and Control from Holland.

The dynamic and promising young chief, told THE SUN at the end of the installation that, his village has a lot of potentials and that it is time for all to get to work and catch up with what they would have done five years ago.

The head teacher of Government School Atibong Wire, Bechem Mbi Wilson confessed to THE SUN that for over five years, Atibong Wire was expectant of this day and it has finally come to pass.

The ceremony was spiced up by refreshment and musical display from popular Manyu artist, Sam Moh Tok.

Reactions Ntantang Akinge Theodore: In-law to new chief Well, I think I am satisfied with the event today, I am married to the first daughter of the former Chief of Atibong Wire and since the death of her father in 2009, things have not gone as we like.

Today, there is a new chief and I am sure things will get back to normal. The new chief is somebody I know well and I think the people of Atibong Wire can count on him as far as the development of their village is concerned.

Orok Solomon, brother of new chief The new chief happens to be my brother and I am very happy that this day has come to pass. In fact, we have been waiting for this day and how we can stand firm as one family and push the village forward.

We have to start from here and dialogue so that together we build a stronger Atibong Wire than we met it.