Martha Abuh Ndi was born to Late Pa Tita Ndi and Mama Ashie from the Fon’s Palace in Batibo, starting off her life amidst very humble circumstances, in Tiben, Momo Division, in the North West Region of Cameroon.

She attended Primary school at St. Theresa’s Primary School, Fiango-Kumba having moved there to live with relatives, and later, the Girls Secondary School, Soppo-Buea. She went on to graduate from the Catholic Teachers Training College, Shisong- Banso and taught as an elementary school teacher for approximately six months. Because of her keen interest in helping others, she decided to pursue a career in healthcare and worked very hard to sponsor herself through the School of Nursing at Victoria, now Limbe.

She was courted by Henry Namata-Elangwe, a young and vibrant, Yabba, Nigeria-trained Pharmacist, who, at the time, was working at the CDC Hospital at Ekona. They got married in 1955 and that Union produced seven Children: Jeff, Henrietta, Eva, Jemea, Mosima, Malingo and Moiti.

Mama Martha worked as a Midwife at Kumba General Hospital, under the tutelage of late Dr. G.D. Dibue, Sister Dibue and Sister Maria Burnley. Later on, she left for Leicester, England in 1966 for further studies in Midwifery, and subsequently to London School of Midwives, where she graduated with a Higher National Diploma (HND) as a Nurse/Midwife including an Advanced Certificate of Specialty in Neonatal Nursing and Family Planning.

By 1971, she returned to Cameroon and worked in the Buea General Hospital as a Nurse-Midwife under Dr. Sultanakis from Greece. She was very Hard Working, Conscientious and Forthright. Her attempt to introduce reproductive health education that was focused on “Safe Sex Practices” and “Family Planning”, (an African Taboo), was quite a controversial issue to address at the time. However as a visionary, she relentlessly fought and successfully changed this mindset by providing 1:1 reproductive health education counseling sessions to young girls, women and couples. She understood the importance of information dissemination to sensitize a population to make healthier choices. In fact, her strong belief in personal responsibility motivated her to make an announcement on Radio Buea that stated: “Any man wey e cam with VD, I no go treat’am”, in a bid to get the populace to refrain from risky sexual behavior. Looking back, and considering the HIV/AIDs global epidemic today, we all wish she was given the platform, support and resources to help fellow Cameroonians be much more sexually responsible.
In 1972 she accompanied her husband who was appointed Minister of Mines and Energy to Yaoundé and worked at Central Hospital in Yaoundé. Her commitment and Dedication to institute positive change, be part of the healthcare solution as well as improve patient care outcomes, earned her an appointment as “Surveillant- Generale” at the same Hospital where she had the distinguished privilege of supervising the late Madam Jeanne-Irene Biya, who later became First Lady of the Republic of Cameroon.

In 1978, in accordance with a presidential decree signed by Late President Ahmadou Ahidjo, she was awarded a “Knight of Order of Valour” medal, which is the highest honor for public servants, in recognition of her hard work and commitment to strengthening the healthcare system of Cameroon. 
In 1980, the Family left Yaoundé for Kake, where she worked at PMI Kumba, as a Nurse Practitioner and later at the Kumba General Hospital as a Nurse Consultant.
In 1988, she retired from Public Service and pursued her passion of Prenatal Care and Family Planning by opening the “Florence Nightingale Clinic” in Kumba.

In 2003, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and as she continued to struggle with the complications of treatment she decided to retire from private practice. Mama was a true warrior and was not broken by her diagnosis. She stayed positive, focused, and prayerful and continued fighting. When she felt like it was time for her to begin the journey to meet her maker, Mama bravely refrained from aggressive treatment and introduced the conversation regarding her transition with her children and loved ones.

She finally slept in the Lord on Wednesday, December 11 2013, leaving behind her 7 children, 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and a host of others who were endeared to her, to mourn her passing.

Mama was very spiritual, hardworking, loving, caring, compassionate, assertive and committed to matters of the heart. She was never afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what is right. She loved people and nourished her soul by giving and investing in causes that would improve humanity. We feel very blessed to have had her as our mother. 
We love you Mom and your spirit will forever reign amongst us.