Today I dare to imagine what life will be without my friend, brother, comrade and confidant for the last 30years of my life.

Today I can only visualize in my realm of imagination where this sudden departure leads to as your mortal remains is being lowered to the earth from which she was created thirty eight years ago.

I stand joyfully humbled and sadly shrunken. Joyful because I was so lucky and privileged to have known and become your brother Nanga. Sad because like every mortal the shock and pain of such a loss pierces  even deeper knowing that I was never alerted of your impending abrupt departure from me, us and the people who love you even more.

In times like this, when we need answers, when we call into question the decision of the Almighty, I pause to employ each of us to believe, think and act like my brother would have. Believe in the power of the supreme decision, Act in the best interest of a fellow brother /sister and remain to be rewarded by the Almighty.

Dear mourners, here lies a brother, teammate, playmate, friend and confidant; Here lies my “Ni Above”, my “Moreno Torricelli”, my “Above Pa”.

I am confident that we all here gathered have fond memories of our fallen kindred. Memories that have become fonder with each passing day.

It seems like yesterday when we would attend church at Azire; like a few days ago when we  set foot on CPC Bali campus feeling like the first men on the moon; Like yesterday it feels  when as ambitious  teenagers we will seat back and dream of a tomorrow full of hope, promise and great accomplishments. Accomplishments destined to be fulfilled as a one united force Nanga. Where are you my brother?

Ni Above, I have the edited script of the stand up comedy show you so badly wanted to produce in your very own Abakwa Town.  Ni Above, I already have my luggage packed to head to the world cup together as we had planned. Where are you? Now you are gone and I am left with a bucket full of tears and a well size vacuum in my heart.

 “ Nini” you will forever be the  one and only; The true and genuine;  The loyal and unchanging; The kind and Loving; The honest and  straightforward; The funny and entertaining;  The “Ni Above “ of then, now, tomorrow and always  .

Until we meet again Brother,

Gustav Achu (Jose Cobos)

The  name "ABOVE" might have been called here several times but some might be wondering why is this guy called "ABOVE". Simply because he saw man above any problem that can befall him and thought of himself as being above any obstacle in life. ABOVE you allowed nothing to worried you and your gentle style of talking, walking and even on the football pitch sort of of demonstrated your "ABOVENESS". The very hard to defend left footed ABOVE PA. Your days at Wembley football field at Abanghouh and the goals that use to make Pascal alias "Shimo-shimo" wonder why he was at the goals. For some time I knew you were in Belgium, but every time I have been in Brussels and other towns in Belgium, no body seems to have contact with you.
This is completely not true and i am still hoping at the end of this tribute, i will wake up from my dreams. A true gentle giant, one who stood tall ABOVE all his mates  yet was as simple and down to earth every time. I look at your pictures and all I see ABOVE PA is that large smile you always had on. Costa just mention, you will keep us cracking our lungs narrating events of the past night at Njang night club or how you killed defenders at Wembley with you deadly left leg. Oh ABOVE, I am yet to come to terms with this news and the circumstances leading to it, but the one thing I know is that you will have a humble eternal place with the great one ABOVE and you will forever be ABOVE. May our good GOD, take you  right into his humble sitting room and from ABOVE your will have an eternal resting place. You memories will live on for ever.

Ni Above:

I have not been able to stop the constant flow of tears since I learnt about your demise, especially because I have made numerous  attempts in the last 3 years to contact you to no avail. I have left voice messages, emails and I trust and pray you read and listened to them. 

Ohh what is life if only to be taken away so soon. Ni Ni, you pulled everyone close to you and brought smiles to the faces of all. From our Camprocoll days all the way to Abakwa our many saturday nights at ngang then sleeping over at my house, on to Soa were we lived in the same mini cite. You made me love petit Pays even more as you will explain to me every sentence sang in Douala language. We were present at all Petit Pays concerts in Yaounde together. I have been playing Petit Pays' songs since I received this unthinkable and shocking news just so I can have you close by and fool myself that it's not true. How could you be gone, just like that Ni Ni, Just like that? Nangah, you shared all you had with the people around you. You will do and go out of you way to help a friend in difficulty, you are a rare breed of a kindhearted person full of humor but yet being serious all at the same time. 

I remember the last time we were together, the day I was travelling out of Cameroon. We spent all day in Dla together and you accompanied me to the airport. Ni Ni, when we last talked we had plans of looking for an opportunity for you to visit the United States once you stabilize your stay in Belgium. What happened to all these plans Nanga?  Everyone of your friends Ni Above has a good story to share about you. We can not talk about our high school days with out talking about you. What an impact you made in our lives during your short stay on this earth. We wipe as you depart us but the heavens rejoice over the arrival of an angel. Ma broda waka fine, we go see small time.

Adieu Nanga. Adieu. Na ya man Sango Doc.

NINI W'VE BEEN APART FOR A WHILE BUT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN TOUCH UNTIL THREE YEARS AGO IT WAS SO HARD FOR ME TO REACH U.I DON'T KNOW WHY BUT I HAVE ALWAYS PUT U IN MY PRAYERS AND KNEW WE GONNA MEET sOmEDAY.SO WHO AM I GONNA BE LISTENING PETIT PAYS WITH?.MAYBE SOME PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW U CLD PLAY SOCCER REAL GOOD.I MEAN FOOTBALL.I CAN STILL FLASHBACK YOUR ENTRANCE AT THE JUNTAS PARTY @ AYABA HOTEL.OH OH WHERE AM I GONNA FIND THAT KIND OF HUMOUR U HAD IN YOU.ALL THE GOOD DAYS OF INTER-QUartier at nacho complex  is now history but u know what?your spirit still reigns.I still picture u wearing a DREADLOCKS wig  representing dutch soccer star RUUD GULLIT. WHEN I PLAY AGAINST U I'LL ALWAYS TELL MY TEAM MATES NEVER TO LET U SHOOT THE BALL FROM DISTANCE COS MY GOALKEEPER WILL ALWAYS HAVE A HARD TIME STOPPING IT OR IT'LL BE BEHIND THE NET.I REMEMBER HOW U SHARE UR LOVE AMONGST YOUR FREINDS.I REMEMBER WHEN U'LL TELL ME COSTA, AM GOING TO VISIT TATA AND WILL SPEND THE NIGHT THERE.AM GOING TO VISIT MBINKEU N WILL SLEEPOVER.AM PASSING THE NIGHT AT JEAN'S[BEAUFILS] PLACE.NOT BECAUSE YOUR HOME WASN'T AT THE NECK OF THE WOODS.U DID THAT JUST FOR THE LOVE U GOT FOR YOUR FRIENDS.WHO WILL I SEE EQUIPE DU DIMANCHE WITH?OR WHO WILL IMMITATE FRENCH SOCCER COMMENTATOR THIERRY GILARDI LIKE U.I MISS U SO MUCH NINI REST IN PEACE AND GOD BE WILL U.LOOKING AT THE PICTURE ON MY FRIDGE WE ALL TOOK AT AYABA HOTEL POOLSIDE BACK IN THE DAYS COSTA,CANTO,BEAUFILS AND YOU OH OH ABOVEEEEEEEEEEEE  THIS'S UNBELIEVABLE.GOTTA GO NOW CAN'T TAKE THIS PAIN ANYMORE NINI

Who will have thought, barely a few days after hearing from you we will wake up drenched with tears from a heartbreaking news that you are gone???

May 7th I sent a mail to let you know that I was coming with Grace and that we will stop and see you!!!Then 10th May I was informed by your friends that you are critically ill. On May 13th morning when i was still in prayers for you, i received a call that ended it all!!!! My birthday Mate!!! My own father!!! where are you in a hurry to go to?? I love God and this one is tha hardest pills I have had to swallow... I even questioned Him? Your absence brings so much pain. How do I orientate Den and Gold? You promised to be there for us!!!!! I console myself that God wasnt obliged to create you!!!! He did and We were indeed blessed to know you.

Abu I am fine, thats the last thing you told me!!!How do i hold shorties hand?? You are fine??? May God who gave you to us, receive you into his kingdom. ... until we meet again, I have lost in you a Father, a friend, a guide, and an Uncle? But i need to find strength and I know God will give me to keep forging ahead. Uncle Nan, you do me!!!!!!!!!! The pain doesnt go away,rather it increases.

My love, Let God receive you!!!!!! God we thank you!!! and we love Nangah