Etam 1 gets new Traditional Ruler amidst controversy

Etam I, a village along the Kumba –Tombel Highway, was recently transformed into a beehive, as the population turned out en masse to witness the coronation of the new chief, HRH Chief Kome Christopher Alowbede.

Though the ceremony went on hitch free, it was however contested by Njume Elung Peter Kome, who hinted that he has been the Village Head through a Prefectoral Order No PO/G/42/8/3 in 2008 endorsed by the then SDO for Kupe Muanenguba, Eboue Njoum, to replace his late father HRH Chief Elung Samuel Kome as 3rd class chief.

The Prefectoral order N0:302PO/G/42/8/33/A of 4th of June 2014 bearing the official recognition of Mr. Alobwede Christopher Kome as 3rd Class Chief of Etam 1 Village in Tombel Sub Division endorsed by the current SDO for Kupe Muanenguba, Handerson Quetong Kongeh and read by the President of the Tombel Chief’s Conference HRH Chief Ediage Francis, according to Njume Elung Peter Kome is fake, reasons why the Tombel administration headed by the DO Ayuk Takor Edward was not there to conduct the installation ritual as enshrined by the law governing chieftaincy matters in Cameroon.

The alleged deposed chief, Njume Elung Peter Kome, questioned whether it is a chief who installs another chief, as was witnessed, by HRH Chief Bernard Salle of Tombel cum 1st Deputy Mayor of Tombel Council.

“What I know is that Etam I village as of now has two chiefs, as the matter is on the table of MINATD Boss Rene Emmanuel Sadi, following a petition forwarded to his office on the July 1,2014”, Njume Elung said.

However, following the welcome address by the Chairman of the Village Traditional Council Ndip Simon Agbor, the oldest man in the Mwanyoh Clan where the indigenes of Etam I hail conducted the libation.

Chief Epie Michael, President of Mwanyoh Chief’s Conference likened the people of Etam 1 to sheep without a shepherd for the past eight years.

He noted that the Etam 1 people have persevered for all these years and now God has answered their cry, and said God has given them the good shepherd who will lead them through the storms.

Advising the new Chief, Chief Komen noted that a chief does not have a retirement age as such the new chief is now the father, firs servant, and family head of all the families of the community.

He urged the chief to listen carefully before deciding on any matter, “even a dead clock reads the correct time once a day."

He also called on the population and quarter heads to lead their chief to the right direction and assist him to make perfect decisions.

Talking to the Press, Chief Kome Alobwede Christopher said he was very happy to be crown the chief of Etam 1 after eight years of waiting.

“God has done his job and that is why the population is happy because I am the rightful chief," and noted that his immediate task is reconciliation and working together with all for the development of the village.