Prof. And Mrs Agbor-Tabi celebrate “Manjom” in Mamfe

A rare mix of the who is who and who is not who from all over Manyu Division and Cameroon at large converged on Mamfe Town, Friday and Saturday 26 and 27 September 2014 to join Prof. Nfor Peter Agbor-Tabi and his wife, Madam Agbor-Tabi and their siblings, in celebrating the life and achievements of their mother, mother-in-law, grand-mother, sister and aunt, Mama Sarah Ako-Tabi (manjom), who died recently in Mamfe at age 80.

In his characteristic calm, sober, harmless and very comforting disposition Prof. Nfor Peter Agbor-Tabi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Presidency and Traditional Ruler of Ndekwai village, took turns to welcome the thousands of mourners who thronged into his modest but very expansive compound in GRA Mamfe to express their condolences to the minister and his siblings for the loss of their beloved, sweet mother, Mama Sarah Ako Agbor-Tabi (Manjom).

As courteous as he is known to be, Prof. Nfor Agbor-Tabi, after welcoming his guests, made sure each of them also met with and greeted his pretty and lovely wife; his better-half, Mrs Agbor-Tabi, who is a former director of the United States Peace Corps in Cameroon.

As it is believed here, that when husband and wife live together for long they resemble each other, so too was Mrs Agbor-Tabi very like her husband in nature and disposition. She responded to the guests with a soft, charming and very comforting voice.

And as many had speculated, the funeral arena at the Agbor-Tabi family compound could barely contain the mourners who continued forcing themselves in to catch a glimpse of Mama’s remains: there were the mighty and the lowly; there were ministers, CPDM barons, parliamentarians, General Managers, Directors etc.

But there were also Clando drivers, bendskin riders, petrol sellers, call box girls and even women of the oldest profession. All classes of people came to mourn Mama Muller (as Mama was also fondly called in Mamfe). They came from far and near.

The protocol team led by senior Police Superintendent Tang Enow Lawrence, admitted that they had a veritable challenge putting order in the arena. Even the security operatives brought in to lend a hand also said that the task was herculean.

And because Mama Sarah Ako Agbor-Tabi (Manjom) was a multi-dimensional and multi-skilled persona (she was an active, indefatigable communicant of PC Mamfe, a devoted member of CWF Mamfe chapter, a staunch CPDM militant, a patron and resource person of many civic, social and traditional groups (ODCA, EFOKHOYOU, MOWA, MAWU, NEWEN etc), all these groups were not only represented but they actively participated in the deserving and befitting funeral that was reserved for Manjom by her vibrant children and siblings.

From the Mamfe hospital mortuary, her remains were laid briefly at her personal residence at Hausa quarters, Mamfe Town before they were later transferred to the Agbor-Tabi family compound at the GRA for all night vigil.

Even the persistent drizzle could not deter the thousands of mourners from staying and participating at the wake service on Friday.

The cultural animations that followed immediately after the wake service was telling of the caliber of person that was being mourned and the love and respect that the Manyu community had for her.

If the crowd that witnessed the corpse removal at the mortuary and later kept wake on Friday was impressive, it became stampeding on Saturday during the funeral service at the PC Mamfe Town. There was hardly enough space for mourners to park their cars.

“This is arguably the highest number of cars with CE number plates that I ever saw in Mamfe,” said a mourner, clapping his hands. He continued “with what I have seen here today I can understand why people fight to become ministers and General Managers. Mama Muller has done real honor to herself and her children by waiting to die only when her son has been made minister again….. I am sure many mothers after seeing these will go back and urge their sons to also work hard and become ministers in future, so that they too can have this kind of funeral.”

In his sermon during the funeral service, Rev. Akontai Fidelis who led the college of officiating ministers, taking from the books of Job 19:27, John 4: 13-18 and Thessalonians 5: 16-18, exhorted Mama Agbor-Tabi’s children and siblings to be joyful and to give thanks to God in all circumstances. He urged all children to love their mothers because that is what God wants of them.

“In every circumstance give thanks to God. Be joyful always, pray at all times; be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus,” the pastor exhorted.

But the sermon did not begin until Mama Sarah’s most prominent son and arguably one of the most prominent sons of Manyu Division in recent times, prof.

Peter Agbor-Tabi, mounted the rostrum to present a soul-searching eulogy of his mother. Prof. recalled how on several occasions he fell out with his mum, and how he would always come back and go down on his knees to ask for forgiveness from her. He said whatever and whoever he is today it is grace to his mum, whom he described as drum-major for love, unity and peace.

“Our mum had a kind spirit, a gentle nature, good sense of humour, selfless and abounding love for the less privileged. She did not accomplish much educationally but strangely enough she made inestimable sacrifices selling palm-wine and rearing fowls to send me and my brothers to some of the finest schools in Cameroon and abroad,” Prof. Agbor-Tabi said, noting that these altruism and vision of his mother will remain engraved in the minds of her six children, 23 grand children and seven great grand children.

For his part, the head of the Boh Ako family of Ebarinsee, in Ossing village, Prof. Ako Teddy, Rector of the Maroua University and nephew of Mama Sarah Ako Agbor-Tabi, recalled how Mama always reminded him of the need to keep the family united and peaceful.

Other eulogies came from Mama’s most cherished friend, the CWF and the chairman of PC Mamfe Town.

NW Community Steal the Show It should be mentioned that Mama Sarah Ako Agbor-Tabi was buried in Mamfe against the traditions and customs of the people of Eyumojock sub-division in Manyu, which require that their daughters who go into marriage out of their paternal villages are brought back home to their parents when they die.

“Mama wanted to be buried in Mamfe, in the Agbor-Tabi family compound; we have to do as she instructed,” Prof. Agbor-Tabi explained to the thousands of mourners and the Manyu community in particular. He thanked his cousin and head of the Boh Ako family (his mother’s paternal family), Prof. Ako Teddy for granting Mama’s request.

So, Mama Sarah was buried in strictly Christian fashion, void of any traditional rites or speeches. But the North West community in Mamfe stole the show when in a rare demonstration of love and respect for their mother-in-law (Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry, Secretary of State for Mines and Industries is married to Mama’s grand-daughter, and one of the most prominent businessmen in Mamfe, Isaac Cho Ndi alias Ebibi was also one of Mama’s most cherished friends) held the mourners spell-bound when they fired many gun shots in the air. Even some senior military officials present were visibly stunned by the intermittent gun shots.

The eventful funeral ceremonies were crowned by sumptuous feasting., The over 10 cows that were killed provided enough beef for the various dishes that were cooked to feed the several thousand mourners.