Small Ekombe Village gets full autonomy

The long-standing notion that Small Ekombe, a village found along the Kumba -Mbonge axis, in Mbonge Sub Division is a quarter under Ekombe Bonji has been cleared with its boundaries clearly defined and a traditional ruler installed.

These doubts were cleared during the enthronement of HRH Chief Kombe Lawrence as third class traditional authority officiated by the Divisional Officer for Mbonge, Sombe Simon, at the esplande of the Catholic Primary School Small Ekombe, Friday, December 19, 2014.

After the death of late Chief Akama Victor some nine years ago it emerged as a point of debate that Small Ekombe, a village in the Ekombe Clan, is not a village and thus is answerable to Ekombe Bonji the seat of the Paramount Ruler of the Ekombe clan.

Despite a Prefectural Order No 36/G.39/D.3/2/BRP of February 22, 2007 in which HRH Chief Kombe Lawrence was authoirised for enthronement, myriads of petitions were written by the Ekombe Bonji people all aimed at rejecting the move.

Reasons why in his welcome address on behalf of the village notables, Kombe Simon Ngoe in tears couldn’t hide his feelings. He said the history of Small Ekombe is as old as the name. He disclosed that it was founded in 1840 by Sango John Kombe Ngoe then shares a common boundary with Kake II, Ekombe Bonji, Barombi Mbo, Marumba II and Pete Bakundu.

The notable hinted that Small Ekombe chiefdom dates back some one hundred and fifty years ago which administrative blessing was legalised and recognised in the Republic of Cameroon since 1963 by the then West Cameroon Gazette No 26 of 8th June 1963 in Vol.3.

He narrated that the village is made up of nine families and the king makers who have been representing the village whenever Ekombe clan are doing their cultural festival and especially during cleansing of the clan.

In his installation rituals the DO for Mbonge Sombe Simon said that the people of Ekombe Bonji are bound to respect the realities and work hand-in-glove for the unity and progress of the Ekombe Clan. He disclosed that Small Ekombe is a mature village taking into consideration the administrative definition of a village, its population and above her historical consideration.

The DO observed that, the installation of HRH Chief Kombe Lawrence as 3rd Class of Small Ekombe is not by chance as he went through all the normal consultative arrangements as provided by the 1977 Chieftaincy Law in Cameroon. Though his installation has taken too long, the DO hinted that it is an indication that things will never be the same again for the people of Small Ekombe.

The enthronement brought together the likes of the President of the South West Chiefs Conference, Senator Nfon Mukete, Senator Andrew Otte Mofa, HRH Chief Ekong William Sakwe cum mayor of Mbonge and traditional ruler of Big Nganjo, and a cross section of traditional rulers of Meme and SWECC.

HRH Chief Kombe Lawrence was born some 45 years ago in Small Ekombe. He takes over from late Chief Akama Victor.

Talking to The SUN, HRH Chief Kombe Lawrence expressed happiness that God’s time is the best and that it’s better late than never. He promised to be a servant not master to his people.

He revealed that he has written several projects which are currently under studies by the powers that be and that he is monitoring the endorsement of these projects so that they will be excellently executed when time comes.