I knew Mr. John Sama not just yesterday. My initial acquaintance with him dates back to the early fifties (1950+) when, as a contemporary with him in that well known citadel of education that is called St. Joseph’s College, Sasse, I used to adore his performance as a goal keeper. His skill in the goal-keeping department of the game of football was so much above the bar of excellence that few students dared to battle with him for the jersey of the junior goal keeper.
The event that transformed our relationship and catapulted it from the casual acquaintance and comradery that it previously was to the firm and dedicated friendship that it has been for over forty five years had a small beginning. In April 1963, (when I was a Forest Officer in Kumba), John informed me – with characteristic firmness and in a manner reminiscent of Napoleon Bonarpartes style – that he had decided that I would be the Best man at his marriage which was scheduled to take place on 1st June 1963 at the Catholic Church, Fiango (Kumba). In this connection John was then dating Miss Margaret Nkeng and the friendship between them was not just an ephemeral affaire that would wither and die at adolescence; it was destined to mature, blossom and fruictify into Holy Matrimony. I was not unaware of the goings –on between John and Margaret but little did I dream that I would be called upon to play a key role in the event (church Marriage) that would set the seal on their marriage project. In any event, I received John Sama’s offer to me with open arms. From that moment forward, the various happenings unfolding in our lives have gone to ensolidate the friendship between not only me and John Sama but also between me and the entire Sama family. In particular, I did not only serve as best man during the church wedding in Kumba in 1963; during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of their wedding at the Buea Cathedral Church , I also played a non – negligible part.
Another remarkable thing about John Sama was his ability to develop his talent or potential, through hard work and indefatigable attention to detail, to a level that was far above the ordinary. He demonstrated this ability in the domain of photography where, while remaining, on paper, only an amateur photographer, he raised his production to such an enviable level that classified professional photographers “feared” his presence at any grand occasion that required photographic coverage . Many of the successes he has served in life can rightly be attributed to this ability.
Finally, an even more important element of John Sama’s character was the care and attention that he gave to his wife and children. His home was noted for the presence of an ever flowing current of love among family members. The spring of this love was undoubtedly John and Margaret.
It must have been God’s plan that I should see John alive (even if in a condition of quasi-infirmity) and commune with him spiritually before his death. That must be why when my other bosom friend, Mr. Anthony Mpafe Ngekep, died in Limbe a couple of months ago and I set out from Bamenda to participate in the funeral events relating to his burial, something inside me prompted me to first make a stop – over at the residence of the Samas in Buea, stay a night there, then take John Sama (as my friend) to accompany me to the Mpafe’s funeral the following day. But when I got to Buea, I found John in a pitiful condition of ill-health, almost infirmity as he had lost his power of speech as well as his ability to walk and was only being fed by his ever-caring wife. This grave illness had come – his wife told me – only a couple of days before my arrival. The only thing I gathered myself to do in that circumstance was to join Margaret and the house servants in reciting the prayer for his speedy recovery that a family friend had, thoughtfully, composed. I continued praying for John’s recovery when I returned to Bamenda.
On Sunday morning, 19th July 2009, Mrs. Sama telephoned to inform me that ‘your friend is no more”. So ended the hope I had been fondly nursing and the prayers that I had been heartily offering for John’s recovery. I realized then that, in God’s plan, John Sama’s earthly pilgrimage to the Celestial City has come to the end and his sharing in the life of the world beyond has began.
I extend my heartfelt condolence to his dear wife, Margaret Sama, his children and other family members who are left behind to mourn him. John Sama’s loss has certainly created among the bereaved wife and children a void that cannot be filled but I exhort them to be comforted by the thought that “God always gives enough graces for any trials that he makes us face”
Finally, this departure of John Sama from our midst should recall to us what the poet, Anon, once said in his own sweet way;
“Whether we’re old or young,
Not one of us can say,
Just when will come to each
His final earthly day.
Thus, while this life is ours
Lord, may we now prepare
So death may never come,
And take us unaware”
Anon.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Faay Woo Bamfem
(alias Dr. Anthony Mapri Maimo)