Senator Francis Nkwain’s selfless sacrifice honoured at burial

One of Cameroon’s pioneer senators, former minister, diplomat and school teacher, Bochong Francis Isidore Wainchom Nkwain has received distinguished honours for a life of selfless sacrifice put at the service of the nation ,his political party and his local community.

The recognitions came after a series of high masses and soul searching eulogies that culminated in his burial in Njinikom , Boyo division of the north west region on Saturday 14 November 2014 in the presence of the personal representative of the Head of State, Prime Minister Philemon Yang, the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the CPDM party, Jean Nkuete, the personal representative of the president of the senate, Right Honourable Peter Mafany Musonge ,the Organising Secretary of the CPDM Central Committee, Ibrahim Talba Mall, government ministers and a host of others.

In a condolence message to the family from the Head of State, read on the occasion by the SDO for Boyo,Joseph Oum II, President Paul Biya recognized the enormous effort made by Francis Nkwain to promote peace and foster development not only in his native north west region ,but also across the national territory.

For this reason, the Head of State noted “he earned my trust and served in several capacities both in the government and the CPDM party for which he worked so hard and his contribution shall forever be remembered” President Biya, in the message assures the deceased’s family that they will never be abandoned.

The Son in law of Senator Nkwain and Minister of Special duties at the presidency, Mengot Victor Arrey Nkongho on his part recounted the last days of the senator on earth during which he enjoined the family to stay very prayerful.

He regretted that though beaming with physical good health, he succumbed to the cold hands of death in Yaounde on 19 October 2014 shortly after playing a very important role in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference that ran from the 2nd to the 10th of October.

Minister Mengot Victor captured Pa Nkwain in his own words when he wrote” I have served my people and nation as a school teacher, rising the rank of cabinet minister by dint of hard work dedication and the fear of the Lord .As an alert frontline politician and elderly statesman, my belief in constituted authority and in the total respect of and Republican institutions remain resolute and unwavering.

From my training, hands on experience and exposure, I have come to understand that there is no tool bigger than dialogue in all conflict .In politics, I do not belief in the middle of the road approach; In all humility I stand for my political beliefs; I live by them; and I remain loyal and unflinching in my support to the one who incarnates the institutions of this country”.

Corroborating Minister Mengot Victor ,the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the CPDM ,Jean Nkuete said he could still visualize Senator Bochong Francis Nkwain in a white ‘gandoura’, sitting at a table during a meeting they held at the General Secretariat of the CPDM party on 14 November 2014, barely days before he died.

Jean Nkuete regretted that the deep electrifying voice of Francis Nkwain was last heard at the meeting during which he made valuable contributions that even changed the course of the meeting.

According to him, the people of Boyo division should build on the legacy of Francis Nkwain.

The last requiem mass which had as chief celebrant Agapitus Nfon , Auxillary Bishop of Bamenda and Bishop George Nkuo of Kumbo was centred on knowing Jesus as the way the truth and the light was preceded by other masses at the Bamenda metropolitan cathedral and a vigil in Njinikom.

Late Francis Nkwain who was married to Josephine Nkwain for 55 years leaves behind a widow, six daughters and a son. One of his daughters, Anne Nsang Nkwain said’ in his death I have found just how hard it is to find words appropriate enough to describe a father you loved so much the dictionary hold words good enough to describe”.

Her sister, Bernice Mengot lamented “he taught us to seek peace and the importance of forgetting and forgiving”.

Another Son in law, Martin Agbor Mbeng, Cameroon Ambassador to Brazil expressed “a distinct sense of celebration for the life of a truly remarkable man I proudly call my mentor, friend father in law and father”.