NTEMNYAM USA MOURNS THE SON OF THE SOIL

By

Professor Nelson Ngoh DN

Tributes and tributes have been sent out in this forum since the passing away of Bobe Francis Yong, referred to in all circles as Pa Yong.  A lot has been said about this giant of development in Cameroon. Those present in Atlanta at the Wake-Keeping in honor Pa Yong are still living the echoes of the various speeches made over the weekend of January 17-19, 2014. Rev. Father Henry Atem’s funeral message painted Pa Yong, rightly, as one whose humility is worth emulating. Bo Muloin (Fon of Kom’s Representative here in the USA) eloquently recounted Bobe Yong’s achievements for Kom and Cameroon to the amazement of many who knew very little of this man called Pa Yong.  Nawain Lawrencia Nain ( Pa’s sister), barely getting strength to stand by the support of her loving husband, Bobe Emmanuel Yuh, stirred up the emotions of the hundreds of mourners as she narrated, in the most solemn voice, the minute-by-minute activities, changes and experiences during the last days of her brother’s life on earth.

The hall was dead silent to an extent that one could hear a pin drop on the carpet and only the strong (and I am not one) could withhold their tears. The participation of the Fon of Bambui was awesome as he and his entourage appreciated the contribution to Bambui  by Bobe Frances Yong through the Comprehensive High School Bambui and the Agric School on the road to Kom that Bobe Frances left still in its budding stage. These are some of the highlights demonstrating how America as a whole “cried” Pa Yong.

 After these and many more moving speeches, the sons of Anyajua, in tears bowed low so that their sister, Lawrencia Nain could easily put her head on their shoulders to let loose her bitter tears to flow smoothly for her beloved senior brother who meant a world to her. I could read from the faces of these young men of Anyajua a determination not to let Anyajua down. Pa Yong’s legacy must be continued they all echoed. Bobe Yong had done his own share of development for Anyajua – the High School in Elemeghong, the health center and the --- you name the rest. Oh death, where is your sting? Death did not give Pa Yong chance to complete many more projects including the improvement of the Belo-Anyajua road.

 In an attempt to please Pa Yong and to continue with the development from where Pa left off, I am calling on all sons and daughters of Anyajua to revive all the existing branches of NTEMNYAM and new ones should be created at home and abroad. If the word NTEMNYAM stems from the fact that the Germans were defeated in Anyajua, what else can be above us? You may like to know that  NTEMNYAM-USA (NUSA), in their meeting in  Atlanta January 18th, 2014, the executive( Bernard Ful, Genesis Bangha, Jasper Nkwain, Etienne Ndongkeh, Gilbert Bangha and Malvern Ngoh) resolved that Pa Yong be given a befitting burial.  In that light, a special shroud (agvum) has been dispatched by NUSA to the Home Branch President, Bobe Ndongkeh Samuel to carry out the burial rites deserved by the departing son of Anyajua. Please Bobe Ndongkeh and Bobe P.K. Timchia, give us feedback as to how Pa was buried.

 May the soul of Pa Yong rest in peace and may his legacy be an impetus for NTEMNYAM to bond together in order to raise the flag of Anyajua to higher heights.

Bobe Nelson Ngoh

(President General of NTEMNYAM)

 

Njousi David Abang Heartfelt Condolences January 10, 2014   Rest in Peace my Dear Boss, friend, compatriot and son. You have worked. You have left an indelible mark on the sands of time. You have helped humanity and given your best to make our hopeless folks to shine by shinning in the midst of despair. You once said there was no need for one to go abroad in search of treasures because the riches in Cameroon are immeasureable. Your life is a testimony to the fact that there is gold and silver here. Those who complain have simply refused to dig. God lived in you and you were God's hand on earth. Without you I do not know what many of our compatriots could have been today. Thank you for a life well spent. We could have preferred that you live on and continue to reveal God's greatness amongst us but God has another task for you. Adieu!

Since Hon Jua passed away, Cameroon and especially Kom has never had a son who has impacted so much on it as you did. Never in the History of Kom has anyone broken the hills and levelled the valleys that divide us as you did. I undertook many reconciliation teams to Laikom with you so that Bo Anya could be rehabilitated. I wept when the Fon initially misunderstood you and behaved strangely. I love the many schemes you hatched to rehabilitate the wretched of the earth and the less priviledged. You went an extra mile for humanity and got the best results which lie everywhere to testify to the greatness of a life well led. The years I spent serving in YEE were the best years of my life because we combined all filial and employee-employer skills and relations to build, rebuild and build.

Today, we celebrate because of the feat you accomplished and the lessons you taught by example in all walks of life. We celebrate because in comparative terms you have achieved much more than many have done within a short lifespan. Your history will be incomplete if it were to be written in one volume. I have one regret that we did not sit down to write your biography the way I had proposed but since the ideas had been hatched, we will not rest until it is done so that the younger generation will learn from it. You were an encyclopedia of learning and the storehouse of knowledge which you generously shared. we are better off because of you. Continue to intercede for us. We do not doubt that you will act a more wonderful role for us because the limitations posed by the ailing body will nolonger bother you to be everywhere at all times and deliver quick results upon request.

Pa Yong You are the Best. In death you will never die. RIP.

Njousi Abang
Former Principal,
KCHS Anyajua, 1996-1997 and 2003-2006 Christian Chindifor What a great man January 10, 2014   When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God.  Rekiya awudu Pa Yong you will forever be remember January 10, 2014   Life is so not fair but God knows better. Why do good people die early? Pa you touch a lot of lives in so many ways that no human being can ever thank you enough. You will for ever be remembered. I know you are sitting at the right side of the Almighty Lord. RIP. My heartfelt condolence to the Yong's family. What a great lost. Adieu MARTINJOEY K. ATANG To My Brothers and Sisters of the Family. January 9, 2014   Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 Thinking of you, wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow and comfort in the midst of pain. Pa's death leaves a heartache no one can heal but his love leaves a memory no one can steal. He is gone and as hardworking he is, I know he will prepare a place in the Shelter of the Lord's where he is for you and me. If tears could build a stairway and memory a lane we will all walk up to Heaven to bring Pa back but Our Heavenly Father Loves him best and need him now. Ali RihReh Sympathizer January 9, 2014   You were a great patriot, a molder of minds and builder of a nation through your promotion of education and sports in our beloved motherland. It will be hard to find another like you. You played your part brilliantly and the Almighty Lord and the fore fathers of Cameroon will receive you with pomp and fanfare in the heavenly Kingdom. May your soul rest in peace.  Jude Aborungong. He had a heart to EDUCATE January 9, 2014   Remembering his dedication to educate  through the various schools, colleges and the university he founded he will be greatly missed. I also remember his footprints as those of a visionary man who carved  niches and delivered quite well in them and up to recently before he will pass bringing the belated cup of cameroon to the West of the Mungo. With hats off I say,Well done and Rest in peace!. sylvanus CHIA It willl take centuries to get your immitation January 9, 2014      Pa,it is said the dead are not dead.Just one question!Did you really have to die?It is said people finish their works before they go home,but,pa,why did you rush over your work and went home before time?Pa,to whom have you abandoned the YOSA team to?You laboured for this for years and went to God just when the team had done great things.The children that you helped in Anyajua,Bambui,Progressive,NBP and other places are wailling because of your sad and shocking exit.I am very sure that God Had something or a special function whom only you could fill.
    Pa Yong,thanks a lot for being a good boss,a father and a friend to me.I know that with the kind of heart you have,you will prepare a place for all of us.To borrow from Loh Benson-Pa Yong,we wish you fare well,dady Yong,we wish you good bye,good bye, fare well,one day we shall meet to part no more.May God Send down tons and tons of guidance to your family and workers to continue with the great works you left unfinished.May your legacy stay on and may your soul rest in peace. sunday godwin pa were and u are still a HERO January 9, 2014   pa may your soul rest in perfect peace.you have given most of cameroonian citizens jobs,educated many through your
institution.so alot of people are greatfull to him,i in particular benifited so much.so pa i give the honor JUMAH JULIET A DADDY TO ALL PEOPLE January 9, 2014   PA, U WERE MY SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND MAKE ME A BANKER TODAY BY TRAING ME IN NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC BAMBUI (NPB]   U HELP ME AND MY SISTER SO MUCH WHILE IN SKULL FOR US TO REGISTER THE HND.WE WILL FORVER BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR KINDNESS. WE DID NOT KNOW THAT BY NOW   YOU WILL BE NO MORE BUT GOD HAS A REASON REST IN PEACE DADDY. YOU ARE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS Chi Valery A Hero January 9, 2014   Mankind Will Give you Story in the end they will keep you Lonely, So make your own history. And that is exactly what Pa did, he created his own history, by being the best individual (In Cameroon) who changes lives of poeple that past through his educational institutions, God Knows why he called you this early, and for that may he rest your soul Pa. We can't judge his decision. Chi Valery

Christian Muenyi Simple in Person, complex in thinking and planning January 8, 2014   Have you ever wished that you had one more time to thank and appreciate somebody? that's exactly how I feel right now about Pa Yong. The first day I met him, I never knew that was the Pa yong I'd been hearing about; a very simple man!! Before he offered me my first ever job, he said "the first day I saw you, I liked you..." Those words have never eroded from my memory! Needless to reiterate his many accomplishments and the fact that his vision and investments transformed lives and the economyies of whichever locality he invested in! My family and I particularly will greatly miss him and may his very humble soul R.I.P. Judith Chiatoh Adieu Pa! January 8, 2014   You were indeed a great father. A father of eduaction, to the people of the North West Region and Cameroonians as a whole.  You brought education to our doorsteps and trained future nation builders. You, in one way or the other reduced the level of illiteracy in the country and for that we will forever remain grateful. Your legacy will forever live and you will forever remain a true eductionist even where you are. Rest in perfect peace Pa untill we meet again. Etanghi Nindum It hurts Uncle but I must say goodbye January 8, 2014   Last year, you came all the way to my job in Atlanta to see me. Your words to me "I am proud of you, keep up the good work". I spoke to you on December 13th on my way to my graduation and your words to me "I am proud of you, you have done well and all those who thought you would never make it were wrong". My heart breaks to be writing this because I still can't fathom all these. I will miss you Uncle Francis, I am happy to know that your last memories and words of me were proud ones. You were just too humble and truelly kind. You fought a good fight uncle but God wanted you to get some rest. Now rest Uncle, rest. My heart bleeds but Adieu Uncle. What is life? KISOB Alaric-Lorenzo Barrister in equity-NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL ABUJA. January 8, 2014   A rare breed,salt and light for young Cameroonians.A 21st century clairvoyant and philanthropist beyond measure.An expert investor in human capital.A capitalist with a communist heart.An entreprenuer admired yesterday,today and forever........Requiscat In Pax Mercy Anchang My Inspiration, My Hero. January 8, 2014   You showed me that there were still good hearted people out there. When my mom was able to pay my school fees in time she always ran to you and you would talk to your staff to keep me in class. I don't even know how I was registered for the GCE Ordinary levels because you made it possible for me. Pa Yong, you fought the good fight, kept the faith and now your reward lies ahead. Thank you for the legacy and I am praying fervently that the candle should keep on burning. We loved you but God loved you most. And to your family during this darkest moment, I pray that they have the courage and strength to carry on. ADIEU PAPA. RIP. plexlopa@yahoo.com Bobe Yong was a man with a good heart January 8, 2014   Bobe Yong was a man with a good heart and very peaceful.He has left a great lagacy and a very big shoes to be filled.He will forever have our gratitude for his work in the Education sector.He gave without limit.we will miss him.Accept my deepest condelence and my heart goes out to you for your loss.RIP Bobe Yong Francis kimbi sylvie my role model January 8, 2014   As an ex student of your prestigeous  instituition, I hv learnt a lot from your life.The sucesss of any student in your instituition was your main piriority.You stood up tall when it comes to education at all levels.Weh pa yong francis I thought you were at your peak of achievements in life little dI'd I know that you were already at the end.This is such a great loss but your legacies will leave on forever may your soul RIP you wil forever be remembered Ernest Timnge You have done well Pa Yong January 8, 2014   When i met you the very first time at the residence of Prof. Sondegam in Yaounde in 2005, your first question to me was: What is your qualification young man? As soon as i told you i was a graduate from the University of Yaounde, your next concern was: Will you join me at Progressive High in Bamenda so that together we can educate my other younger ones who are still struggling to complete their secondary and High school? To me, these were very important questions that prove to me that you were not just interested in the sense that i should teach in your school but also  finding out if i was educated myself. Thanks a million times for all that you acomplished in the field of education in Cameroon. You have ran the race to the finish, and all we can say for now is that you should travel safely Pa Yong to meet your pilot.
Ernest Timnge  Berlin Ngueumeni Entrepreneur_Former AIESEC Cameroon President January 8, 2014   Thank for your passion and your engagement for youths development. I met you once to discuss about AIESEC activities in National Polytechnic of Bambui and you were and still be a model for us. Rest In Peace. Gustav Achu &Family History will Remember Pa Yong.. January 8, 2014   Pa you died on the right side of history. Your story will be recounted for ever.. May your soul find respite in the bossom of of the Most High..Eternal Peace unto you and  God`s solace to loved ones who are left behind to mourn your passing.

Joannes Paulus You Impacted many LIVES January 8, 2014   If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14.8.............The Northwest province will never be the same without you. You made the nation proud by advancing education for all. We wish you the best as you rest with the amazing angels in Heaven. Till we meet again. Riposa in Pace Nkwentie Terence oooooohhhhhhhhhhhh January 8, 2014   A baobab tree has fallen. The pride of the NW region in general and Boyo division in particular. An example to emulate. From humble beginnings to the pride of a nation. May the good Lord grant the fortitude to bear such a loss. fru nicks nde tanyi January 8, 2014   If heaven is our final destination, then earth is just a passage. Our father, and God father has finally reached his destination, and though we mourn his passing, we celebrate his life. Thank you for your lessons, your support and your unconditional love. Till we meet again, Rest in perfect peace in the bossom of the lord. Tanyi, fri nicks nde. Patience Akenji RIP January 8, 2014   He fought a good fight, he left a legacy, he achieved his purpose. Lets carry it on. My condolence to his family especially to you Jacky and Jack. It is well. Adija Acha RIP January 8, 2014   Goodbye to a visionary, a smart business man, and the God father at my wedding. A great light has fallen and as we mourn your passing we hang on to the memories, and till we meet again, we beg the lord to keep you in his arms. RIP Gideon Wirisiy Shey January 8, 2014   Paa Yong has lit a candle of life that will burn for ever in the hearts of many and for generations to come in Cameroon. Only God knows when and why..My heartfelt Condolences go to the entire family. Will never forget our last conversation before watching,in Cameroon, his team win the cup, demonstrating his  vision in several fronts of life.

Tata Nelson Beriyuy(Wan Ntang wo Yuwar) Bobe Yong Francis (Pa Yong) the departed Hero January 8, 2014  
Bobe Yong Francis (Pa Yong) the departed Hero The last days of 2013 have ended up as the darkest in the life of the people of the North West Region. This is so due to the fact that the morning of December 30, 2013 was that of sadness as news break loose announcing the passing to eternity of Bobe Yong Francis (Pa Yong). Bobe Francis Yong died in Atlanta-USA after a protracted illness. Bobe Francis Yong commonly known as Pa Yong remains a household name in Cameroon in the domains of sports, education and communication. It is for this reason that North West Governor Adolph Lele Lafrique visited his family compound in Bamenda to condole with the family today. Pa Yong Francis according to what we gathered traveled to the United States of America for routine medical checkup some months ago. It is alleged that a day ago, he suddenly developed intestinal problems that finally took his life. The passing away of Pa Yong is a great lost to Cameroon, the North West Region and the people of Kom as a whole.
  It should be noted that Bobe Yong Francis (Pa Yong) is founder and President of the 2013 Cameroon Cup winners Yong Sport Academy (YOSA) and owner of many colleges across the North West region such as K.C.H.S. Anyajua, C.H.S. Bambui, P.C.H.S Mankon, and the National Polytechnic Bambui. Besides, he is also the proprietor of a local TV channel-CNTV and a commercial radio known as Abakwa FM. Writing from the US, Boh Herbert likened Bobe Yong Francis to the Biblical Abaraham. To Boh Herbert, “....He earned every ounce of the name "Pa Yong". For sure, he was the head of his family and "Pa" to them, but he was also, indeed, in the image of the biblical Abraham - a father to a multitude of children, as countless as the sands on the seashore. Most especially, he earned the title "Pa" because of the concern and love he showed to all, especially the very young and tender students that hundreds of thousands of parents entrusted to his care and his wisdom to mould into educated and cultured Cameroonians and responsible adults....." This tribute from Boh Herbert tells the story of the man who departure will touch families, homes and cast doubts on the future of many young Cameroonians. However, it should be recalled that Pa Yong’s mother died some three to four months ago and the corps is still in the mortuary. Speculations as to whether it would be Bobe Yong Francis or the mother that would be buried first abound high in the North West Region.  
  Why Bobe Yong Francis Deserves an Official/ State Burial Bobe Francis Yong died as a nation builder, a veritable visionary and giant in the educational in Anglophone Cameroon. He was a self-made man, who, from the most humble beginnings, has risen to the summit by creating and offering educational opportunities to others.  He goes down in history as the man who has made the greatest contribution in educational development in English-speaking Cameroon. He lived his whole life creating and building schools to mold young Cameroonians. His efforts have landed millions of young men and women, whose lives might have been wasted in the hall of fame, yet he died as a humble man, down to earth and accessible. Deprived by financial constraints of the opportunity of acquiring a formal general secondary education himself, he never allowed himself to wallow in self-pity and resignation. He opted for what was affordable: becoming a typist. How he must have admired and envied his more fortunate mates who gained admission into prestigious secondary schools in those days! However, as it turned out, God had a better plan for him. He was destined to teach his fellow compatriots that ‘many roads lead to Rome’; that what matters in life is not where you are but what you do where you are. And that is how he did what he did to attract a lot of admiration from those who were even more educated than he was. He turned out to be their employers, offered better education to their lovely ones and everyone who wanted to study and lacked financial means. The true Biblical Abrahim as Boh Herbert rightly states it. Undeniably, Bobe Yong’s decision to learn typing and take up a career in the field turned out to be the wisest decision of his life. After his studies, he gained a Government job as a typist.  Then, he had the wonderful vision of offering other less favored children the chance to go to school. It was from this perspective that he created a Typing Institute. It did not take long for him to realize the magnificent success.  With the number of students increasing year in year out, he created similar colleges in Bambui and his home village, Anyajua. It was a journey to the hall of fame and the steps that would transform the North West into a citadel of education.
  Public opinion in the North West holds that if there is only one person in the region whose actions have contributed to nation building it is Bobe Francis Yong. This is so because he has left a mark of greatness in everything that he touches. In the domain of education, his footprint in secondary education in the North West Region is unbeatable. Implicitly, the Ministry of Secondary education owes him much for contributing enormously in molding young Cameroon. In the domain of Higher education, he set the pace with the creation of Polytechnic Bambui which today stands as the symbol of standards in the region.  Unconditionally, the Ministry of Higher Education will have a primordial role to bit him farewell. In the domain of sports and athletics, he was the founder and President of Yong Sport Academy and another rising football team, Polytechnic FC. It is thanks to Yong Sport Academy that Bamenda had a glimpse of the Cameroon Cup. And besides that he was also a very active member of Olympic committee from the North West Region. For these reasons, the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education is also expected at his burial. In the domain of Communication, Pa Yong was also the proprietor of CNTV and Abakwa FM, two media outfits that have stood the taste of time in the North West Region. This is also enough reason for the Ministry of Communication to be part of his burial ceremony.
  However, if all these activities of his don’t deserve an official burial from that state, who then would be given another school of thought holds. It is no more news that the Presidency of the Republic is aware that Bobe Yong is no more. More so, President Biya is aware that one of those who developed the educational sector in the North West Region into an enviable industry was Pa Yong. And the last minute respect that (he) President Biya can only the man who spent his whole life contributing towards nation building will be by honouring the departed hero with an official and or State burial, majority of Northwesterners say. This is so because there is no way that one can talk about education, sports and communication in Cameroon without mentioning the name of Pa Yong.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

TATA NELSON BERINYUY(Wan Ntang wo Yuwar) 
__._,_.___ Hosia Ghogah We have lost the greatest Entrepreneu, Educationi January 7, 2014   A nation is mourning an illustrous son. WhenYong Franicis started the Progressive Institute of Stennography in Old Town Bamenda before moving progressively to near Mankon Municipal stadium and subsequently to the current Progressive High School, only God alone knew what He had set out to use this humble man to achieve.

Yong Francis the Red Cross OfficerYong Francis the First Division Referee
Yong Francis the Seasoned Educationist (Can you name the schools he single-handedly opened to educate our kids?) 
Yong Francis the Football Academy and First Division Team Owner.

His achievements were as manifold as fish in the oceans.I can't remember which other Anglophone Cameroonian
(Southern Cameroonian) has so impacted the lives of multitudes in his life time.I see it most befitting to eulogise for him.And I dare to sing the song,Fading away like the stars of the morning. Losing your light to the glorious sunThus would we pass from this earth and its toilingsOnly remembered by what we have done. 

And God used Yong Francis, though from very modest beginnings to achieve massive projects for posterity. Yong's legacwill live on if many get inspired by this great architect. When Jesus Christ's work on earth was done, he said "it is finished".Yes, though Yong Francis is gone, he has written his name in our hearts, not on the marble on his tomb stone.We will forever miss you.I am who I am today because I spent one year of my educational life in Upper Sixth in one of your schools. How grateful and rewarding that was. Adieu the humble one and rest in peace. 

Hosia Ghogah
Australia Sylvanus Chia Thanks So Munch For The lessons & Advice You Gave January 7, 2014   Ever since the news of pa Yong's passing broke earlier on this week,I have fought with myself to convince myself that it has only been a dream,but,the more I have read about it and the more I have heard others talked about it,I have been forced to take that bitter pile that it is not just a dream,but,a shocking reality. 

I am pleased to have been one of the products of pa Yong's schools and that was when I got to see pa from a close range and my first impressions were that he was a simple man.I later had the privilege to be elected to the post of senior prefect in Progressive college in Bamenda and the then principal, took my prefects and I to pa's office in the then Circular education premises next to Mondial Hotel to introduce us to him and that was then,that I will say I had the honor to shake pa's hand and introduced my prefects to him.He advised us and told us of the need to concentrate on our studies first and remember to be helpers to the teachers. From then on,pa used to come into the school and addressed the student body whenever he had the chance.

When the academic year was ending,pa sent for me and I wondered what could be the problem,but,just said,well,I will find out,but,inside me,I had some fear because a week leading up to then, my prefects and I had carried out a school strike against t Principal,vice principal and some teaching staff.When I got into his office,he asked me to sit down and I was able to watch pa typed on his type writer and I must say till now,I am yet to see anyone beat pa's record on the use of a type writer.he used it like it was made by him and I doubt even him knew the number of words he could type in a minute.He was so fast that I thought the type writer may come off the rail as he pushed it to the right and left etc.When he was done,he asked me''have you written your appraisal''?I asked him what that meant and he said to me as the senior prefect of the school,he expected me to submit my end of year's report.I asked him what I needed to write and he said all bad and good things about the school or teaching body that could be improved upon.I went and did it,but,I will not go into that,but,I was just moved that pa Yong wanted to have my input about his school. 

When the G.C.E results were out,pa asked me if I wanted to stay and join the school administration.I was very honored,thanked him and said I will like to further my studies and we stayed in touch.A few years after that,I was back to Bamenda and working as a receptionist in Mondial hotel(where pa used to park his Mercedes car in the yard and would come in and chat with his friend Mr Longla- proprietor of the hotel).

One day after parking his car,he came in and asked me to come and see him in his office the next morning after work.The next morning,I did and he asked me how much I was being paid,I told him and he asked whether I will work for him in Bambui if he were to add something to what I was being paid,plus a accommodation,water and electricity for free.I said yes pa,try me.He said''it is not a question of trying my friend for I asked the same question to one of my teachers in Anyajua some years ago and he said I should try him and when I did,he later leaked the GCE questions and that cost me my center for years and my students had to trek to Belo for years''.I said I a able and that is how I got employed as the pioneer bursar of National Polytechnic Bambui.Pa then told me to go and get ready to commence work in two months and that he will send for me on a day to when the school will start to go down there.When the day came,pa's driver came and picked me up with my few items and we went back to his house and took pa and we left for Bambui in the afternoon.When we got to star Light junction,pa's car got stuck in mud for by then,Bamenda-Bambui road wasn't tarred.We came out with pa to push his car and I was touched by his humility.Some passers by were walking pass us and pa said''my friends wona no want come help push my moto,wona want make pa Yong sleep for road?''I was touched because it sounded like the pa Yong wasn't him.These guys came and helped pushed the car and we continued our journey.That day stocked in my mind forever because he never just sat inside as we expected,but,he came out and assisted with pushing the car. 

After workingwith pa for sometime,I later got a job with P&T and needed to leave,but,was worried that pa may not be happy,but,when I met him he said to me that my new job was an opening for many opportunities and that I was like his own child and if he refuses to let me go,that would be wicket of him,but,that I will still keep my job till the end of the academic year as I was with the Delegation of P&T in Bamenda easier for me to shuttle between Bamenda an Bambui on week ends and that he would like me to look for my replacement and that was how I went back to Mondial hotel and pinched Mr Longla's receptionist again-bobe Jum Francis to take up my place.While working at Delepostel,pa visited me a few times and it was always humbling to see him come and sit down with me and we chatted and all the times,he always gave me advice.

He remained to me as a father and great friend and this was highlighted more when pa surprised me in 1999 with a visit to Mbingo Hospitalin Kom when my father was operated upon.Pa was not very happy that I never told him that my father was in hosipital. He spent plenty of time with my father and I that day and my father has remained grateful for that till date. A few years when I visited pa in Cameroon,Pa said to me that he will come and visit us and I felt so honored,my Zachieus's height tripped instantly for I couldn't believe my eyes.During his stay when he visited us,I was overwhelmed by his humility-he played tirelessly and non stop with our four years daughter with pa making some nice jokes and I remember him saying Sylvanus,a Kom child can never get missing wherever the child is when my daughter called a glass nklass. The next morning,he said he needed to do some shopping and I took him to some big shops in the city center and when i took him to a top price section,pa said to me,''Sylva,you know I cannot be seen to wear things that expensive when there are many people back there in Cameroon that I can help with the money''.I was touched by the fact that he bought expensive things for others instead for himself.When we got to the till,pa said he had forgotten to buy some clothes for his househelps and we went back and he bought some clothes for all of them.I said to myself how many people of pa's caliber will do this for their house boys and house girls?While there,I asked him if he would help take a little bag for me if I were to buy a few things for my family and he said ''yes,how can you be asking Sylanus?''

There is non or very few of them that will do this.The next day when we arrived at the airport for pa to fly back to Cameroon,I advanced straight to the first class desk and asked him''we are going to the first class desk right?''Pa said to me that ''ma lum niwi iwoh na sie a Sylva bomta afoh ateina keifeih,a ghi kwuhti kighi djim afi ghi ikuo ta ma ka ama kamgti gheli atein no siih nduih' a Cameroon''(I never do that kind of thing Sylvanus because if the thing crashes,everybody will die and that is money that I can help others with in Cameroon)This was very very humbling again to me because there was pa not travelling first class,not because he couldn't afford,but,because he wanted to help others with his money and putting himself last.At one point when I was home, some family members of pa said to me that I should talk/propose to pa to have some extra security around him because the crime wave in Bamenda was on the rise and I did,but, pa said to me that he can never do that kind of thing and said it will be unthinkable to have a car with muscle men trailing him to wherever he went and that he likes everyone and that I need to see how sometimes little children called out his name and he stands,greets them and chats with them.He dismissed the idea and that to me was just another level of humility 

In December 2012,I was home and went to visit pa,but,was told he was resting and I couldn't see him and when I was leaving my message,he called down from upstairs and told me to come up.I went up and joined him in his upstairs parlor(a section of the house he had invited me up to it again and again in the past which was so humbling whenever I sat there and looked at himself and little me),we sat there and chatted generally and later went to his upstairs dinning area and were served some food.While we were eating,pa kept piling plenty of meat on my plate and telling me that''Sylva feiti shiie sii kel wi inki yeini egine ne sii''.Little did I know that it was the last meal I was going to have with him.What is death?

In 2000 or so when I was listening to a Cameroon calling episode over Crtv, dedicated to late Epsy Ngum,Auntie Becky Ndivey said ''Epsy,what was that kind of illness that even Oku that we know in the north west province couldn't cure?''I found myself saying the same thing to myself in a different way that so it is really true that no amount of treatment or money could cure pa Yong?Unbelievable!It dawn on me that it is really true that when ''Ambassador Abraham''(Head of Visa services to Heaven)issues your entry visa to Heaven,it can't be cancelled for whatever reason.

Well, I am humbled and privileged to have known a humble person like pa Yong.We always hear of vacuums that cannot be filled.His passing is really a big vacuum that will hardly ever be filled.I cannot remember of any person who was so selfless,dedicated himself and money to educating mankind like pa Yong.If any consolation to the family,I will say that God Looked down following what might have seemed like falling standards of education in heaven and found non else than pa Yong that can revamp that and he Called him to come and restructure that.I am sure he is on his type writers drawing up his vision to present to God and even before he finishes it,God Will like it And Approve it since He Knows our thoughts and everything.

He will set up a C.H.S Heaven, C.H.S Heaven and a great N.P.Heaven where many who never had the chance to school will carry out their studies.I have no doubt that God Will Be Very Please with pa Yong's work. Pa safe journey.We will forever miss you.Thanks ever so muchfor the lessons and the advice you gave me.May your soul
rest in peace.

By
Sylvanus Chia