29-year-old soldier crowned Bwassa chief

John Ewome Eko who takes over from his late father was installed on October 31, 2014.

The heir to the throne of Bwassa, a village in Buea Sub-division, has ascended on the royal seat of the village, six years after his father passed away.

Chief John Ewome Eko was enthroned on October 31, 2014 during a traditional coronation ceremony that came on the heels of a heavy downpour, which the inhabitants of Bwassa told CT had washed away the past and ushered in a new beginning in their community with the 29-year-old ruler.

During the coronation ceremony at the Bwassa Royal Palace, highly animated by the venerated ‘Malle’ sacred society group, the Chiefs of Buea drilled Ewome Eko through a rigorous spiritual fortification in the Bwassa village shrine.

For Chief Njombe Njoke Johnson of Wokaka village, the rituals were to give Chief Ewome Eko, their new peer, a status of a traditional ruler in the Bakweri culture.

After about thirty minutes of the initiation rites, HRH Chief John Ewome Eko was then brought out of the shrine in a spectacular traditional dance and presented to the joyous and applauding crowd that turned out for the coronation.

In his installation address, the Divisional Officer for Buea, Kouam Wokam Paul called on HRH Chief Paul Ewome Eko to govern the about 1600 inhabitants of Bwassa village with a sense of humanity and wisdom, applying justice wherever it is due.

Citing from the law relating to chieftaincy organisation in Cameroon, the DO pointed out to the enthroned chief what is expected from him and what he should not do.

While saluting the bravery of the 29-year-old soldier of the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) who works at Man’O Bay near Limbe, the DO warned him not to apply military rule in governing his subjects as it will only put him off the course. Chief Ewome Eko was then declared 3rd Class Chief and installed into his functions by the DO.

The crowned chief of Bwassa succeeds his late father, Chief Ewome Njie, who passed away on November 9, 2008. Married and father of three, Chief Ewome Eko was then led by his peers to the ceremonial ground for a cultural display after which he went through all the canopies saluting his subjects and guests amongst whom the Mayor of Buea, Patrick Ekema Esunge.