BIOGRAPHY
Mrs NDIKUM née Esther Ayuk ENO died in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Friday, December 30th 2011 at the age of 78. She will be buried in her home village of Besongabang, in Manyu Division, Southwest Region, on Saturday, January 28th 2012.
Mama Esther Ayuk Eno NDIKUM was born in Besongabang to Pa Manasseh ENO NKU (Nurse in the general hospital, Mamfe) and Ma Ebot-Orock Margaret (remembered for her strength and dynamism) on April 9th 1933, the first of five children. Mrs E. A. NDIKUM as she was fondly called by her children and grand children spent the most part of her youthful years in Nigeria. Before leaving for Nigeria, she attended primary school at Basel Mission School, Besongabang. Following the dead of both parents leaving the four sisters ‘orphans’; she pursued her studies in the T.T.C Warri, Nigeria and obtained a Teacher’s grade II certificate in 1955.
She returned to Cameroon and taught in C.D.C. Upper Costain Tiko and later taught in C.D.C. Middle farms, Bota, Victoria. As an Educationist, she had a wide experience and achieved much as far as her professional profile is concerned. She won a scholarship from the British Government as part of its “Technical Assistance to African Countries” to study a course of Instruction in Social Welfare from September 1964 to March 1965. This training enabled her to give counseling to couples and young unmarried girls even as she taught Domestic Science in schools. She taught Domestic science in Government Primary School Bamenda Station and Catholic School Bayelle-Nkwen. She introduced the inspection of underwear (pants) for girls during domestic science lessons. Most young women of this generation will never forget her relentless effort to impart this knowledge to them. Cleanliness was her watch word…’self-hygiene first’.
Her family life had the flare of love and discipline. She got married to the Fon of Akum in 1963. As a teacher, she trained her children and grand children in the fear of the Lord. As a member of C.W.F., her commitment to this group to serve GOD with joy was evident in her life style. As a founding member of the C.W.F. Bamenda Station, she left a mark in the participation in church drama and rallies. She also took part in social satire and politics. This earned her a post of President of WCPDM subsection in Tubah. She is remembered for holding leadership positions as women President in traditional and cultural meetings notably, “Manyu Elements” meeting in Bamenda, “Thick Madams”, “Se moh se ngoh” groups, Besongabang meeting Bamenda branch and a social member of the “Glee-Club” in Mamfe. She was decorated with the Bronze medal of the order of valour of Cameroon. She retired as a Grade I teacher. She leaves behind a husband, His Royal Highness, Fon G. N. NDIKUM II of Akum, 4 daughters, 15 grand children, 13 great grand children, 2 sisters, friends, relatives, many adopted children and Christians of P.C. Ntabesi to mourn her. May her soul rest in perfect peace....Amen.