Francis Nkwain buries 111-year old mother

A huge crowd of mourners gathered in Njinikom, Boyo Division on Saturday July 21 to bury the 111-year old mother of former Minister, Diplomat and now Board Chairman of the University of Dschang, Bochong Francis Nkwain.

Religious and traditional rituals summed up the funeral program with tributes that portrayed late Nini Thecla Neng Nakeh as a loving and caring mother of seven children, 21 grandchildren, 35 grandchildren and an agent of communicating Christ to each other on earth.

Conspicuous in the crowd of mourners were the Secretary General of the ruling CPDM Central Committee, Jean Kuete, Minister of Special Duties at the Presidency, Victor Mengot, ELECAM Board Chairman, Dr Fonkam Azu'u, SDF National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, Baba Ahmadou Danpullo and Boyo SDO, Embe David, among others.

Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua of Bamenda, Bishop George Nkuo of the Kumbo Diocese and a college of Reverend Fathers led special prayers for a mother that took credit as one of the early catholic faithfuls in Njinikom. Nini Thecla Neng is said to have been very passionate about her faith which spanned over 87 years since she was baptised on August 22, 1925. Tributes exemplified a woman who lived and died in peace. Her son, Bochong Francis Nkwain, granddaughters, sons and in-laws all dedicated her transition to the church's St Francis of Assisi.

Nini Thecla Neng also featured prominently in the Kom society as one of the main female leaders especially during the 1958 women's Riot, fondly called Anlu. Born in 1901, Nini Thecla Neng died on July 13, 2012 and Boh Herbert, a relative said, at 111 it is likely a new record of longevity in Kom and beyond.