Peter Nyongah Sama was born 30th December 1939 in Bali Nyonga. He was the third of five children to Bambot Kala and Na Genla and middle brother to Dr Elias Nwana, Ni Benjamin Ntianob Nwana, Ma Nagwa Stephen Doh and Ma Pamela Feh Fosam. He became his father's successor in 1997 earning him the title Ba-Mbot (small father).
Born of a bond which two brothers shared at the time of Bambot's birth he was raised in the Tanunjam family bound in love, unity and camaraderie. He grew up predominantly with his uncle, Ba Daniel Sama, hence taking the surname Sama.
He started his primary education at G.S Bali Nyonga where he attained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1962. In 1963 due to a lack of funding and ill health he had to withdraw from education. In his quest for recovery he came into contact with Ba Tadoh Fomantum, a well-known traditional doctor in Bali in those days, and during his treatment they built up a relationship which led to Bambot working alongside the doctor to assist in distribution of medicine.
In 1964 Bambot’s eldest brother Elias returned to find him working in Bali with the doctor and knowing his potential requested that he move to Bambili to live with him and his family. After a couple of years, with his elder brother away for further studies, Bambot moved in with his sister-in-law (Ma Odilia Nwana) and children (Protus and Hyacinth) to live with Ma Odilia's parents in Wum. As a result of this, his own studies remained on hold as he offered to help with childcare as Ma Odilia was expecting a second set of twins (Augustina and Augustine).
Whilst in Wum, Bambot gained entrance into Teachers Training College (TTC) in Bambui. After the return of his brother they moved back to Bambili where he commenced his studies in January 1967 whilst combining this with the care of Protus, who was receiving traditional treatment in Big Babangki. In 1972 Bambot obtained his Grade II teacher training certificate from T.T.C. Bambui.
He got is first teaching position with the government in 1973 and was posted to G.S Atuakom where he held several positions of responsibilities; he taught here for 10 years and as the PTA Secretary, helped build new classrooms for the school.
Here he was popular with the pupils and gained a few nicknames including Ni Pi. He was known for being a strict disciplinaria; firm but fair and with a good sense of humour. He obtained his O' Levels in 1979 after attending private evening classes.
In 1982 he met a young beautiful woman, Mary Ati, and we are led to believe he instantaneously knew she was the one he would marry. Bambot was fond of seeing her in the market and made jokes at her saying “I'll marry you” with her only responding with giggles. With the help of his eldest brother and wife they held their traditional wedding on 28th October 1982 and had the church wedding 2 days later.
In 1983 he gained entry to E.N.S Bambili and welcomed their first child in February of the same year. He was a popular student there, worked hard and eventually gained the Diploma (DIP ENIA) in 1985 leading to a government posting to ENIA Pitoa. Subsequent postings followed in the next two years to ENI/ENIET Garoua and ENIA Nkambe. In 1990 he held the post of Inspector of Education in the Momo Division which he held for 5 years before being transferred to Government Teacher Training College (G.T.T.C) Nkambe. Bambot requested a transfer closer to home because of arthritis in his leg and other health issues and in 1997 he moved to G.T.T.C. Bamenda.
In the years following, he continued his work as Inspector in Kumbo and Mbengwi before returning to G.T.T.C. Bamenda where he saw out his working life before retiring in December 2009.
A father to five biological children, Foncham Joseph Sama, Jacinta Nifor Langsi, Davidson Ndofor Nwana Sama, Noela Nyonglema Sama and Jonas Nuvaga Sama, he instilled core values of hard work, discipline and family unity but he was also a father to many others including all of his nieces and nephews and to Gideon Nfor and Ronald Tata. He put the success of his children down to the cordial and honest relationship that existed between him and the family of his eldest brother. He was also blessed to become a Grandfather to three girls namely; Kenna, Lenna and Bilola Langsi.
Bambot was also a keen farmer and loved agriculture. He worked incredibly hard to provide for his family, showing his children the example of how to get the most out of life (and the land).
He ensured his children grew up with a strong Christian foundation and life principles and advised them with phrases such as “Take life as it comes and not as you want it to be” and “live within your means”.
A people’s person first; making lifelong friends; one in particular, Late John Fokwang, whom all his children grew up thinking of as an uncle, underlines his character as a family man.
He was a very popular person with children and adults alike.
Being a Bambot requires a show of leadership, fairness, respect, discipline and love, all qualities he showed throughout his reign as Bambot to the family.
Blood being thicker than water, Bambot built his house close to his eldest brother, where he looked forward to spending his retirement with his wife.
He enjoyed many happy years in this home in Njimafor. In his latter years, he suffered with a few episodes of ill health until he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in India in July 2015 where he'd gone for a routine check-up with his wife. The medical doctors didn't give him long to live after this diagnosis but Bambot being the strong and determined man we was, he fought hard through this with grace and a smile until he finally succumbed to the illness on 20th May 2016 with his family by his bedside.
May his soul rest in peace.
