State or Official Burial for HRH, Prof. Senator Jikong Stephen Yeriwa?

The mortal remains of HRH, Prof. Senator Jikong Stephen Yeriwa who passed on at the Yaounde General Hospital on Saturday, November 15, 2014 will be laid to rest in Jato-Gwembo village (Nwa sub Division in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region) next week.

According to classified sources, corpse removal has been billed for December 11, state honours at the senate on December 12, and burial on December 13, 2014.

It should be recalled that he died on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at about 12.30 pm, the day another senator Francis Nkwain was to be buried. Yet it is not clear whether Senator Jikong Stephen Yeriwa who served this country in various capacities would be given a state or an official burial.

A school of thought holds that HRH, Prof. Senator Jikong deserves to be honoured given that he spent his entire life working for the nation.

Born on February 2, 1949 in Mbem village, Nwa Subdivision, Donga-Mantung Division of the North West Region, Stephen Jikong was among the first Anglophones who were transferred to the then East Cameroon to teach English Language.

If there is anything paramount in the mind of the people of Donga Mantung Division, it is how HRH, Prof. Senator Jikong Stephen should be given a state or official burial by the Gov¬ernment.

Influential Northwest elites are of the opinion that: “One thing that I am asking for is that HRH Prof. Senator Jikong should be given a befitting burial, having contributed to the survival of Cameroon as an educationist, university don, adviser to the Prime Minister, politician and even as a traditional ruler. In fact, he should be given a state burial. This is my own request and agitation”, he concluded.

Youths are also of the opinion that the head of State should do something to honour the man who worked hard for the country. “I believe the President will do something” says Nfor Kingsley Mama. To Comfort Nye, a state or official burial is a logical thing to do for such a rare character in the Cameroonian society. As all eyes are looking towards Yaounde, it is hoped that the head of state will do something to honour the fallen hero.

Who is HRH Prof. Senator Jikong Stephen HRH Prof. Jikong Stephen Yeriwa was an influential Member of the Central Committee of the CPDM and one of the CPDM diehearts who in the 90s was the Charge de mission of the party to the Northwest region alongside Senator Francis Nkwain.

He is a traditional ruler (Fon of Jato-Gwembo village in Nwa Sub Division). He was a senior citizen who has served the country in various capacities. He started his professional career as a teacher, to a University don and Special Adviser in the Prime Minister's office. He is widely read, published many books, calm and soft-spoken too. His political abilities are also an added value.

Before late Senator Jikong was elected into senate in November 2013, he had served as Secretary General in the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms from 1992-1994, and then Technical Adviser in the Prime Minister’s office 1996-2012. He was also board member of State corporations such as SCDP, ENAM, INJS and recently CRTV. He retired from the public service in 2008 as lecturer at the University of Yaounde I.