A Tribute to Pa Forngang Aphonsus Ndenge
It’s true that we all are sojourners in this beautiful world where the duration is a mystery of God Almighty. At the appointed minute, a personal invitation is served on the concerned for eternity by the heavenly jingle bells, whose symphony is an anaesthesia to eternity, the melting pot where all earthly challenges and headaches are consumed to give everlasting life in joy, happiness, freedom, glory, and praises to God Almighty.
Mr. Chairman M.T.C.(Mankon Traditional Council) and Nkum Kwifor, we knew that you had to retire to your Creator, but you hid it from us. Your sudden exit is heartbreaking and caused disaster, panic, and confusion. You forgot to hand in your handing over notes. Where is the Encylopedia of the Mankon Culture and Tradition, what about the Mankon Museum which you worked tirelessly for its realisation, the preparation of the Annual Royal Calendar of activities: Pilgrimages to the Palace of Alankie for the Fon to go and commune with the Mankon Ancestors to lavish on the Mankon people; peace and prosperity, growth of the population through fertility, good yield of crops, protection from any epidemic, abundant heavenly blessings, the Annual Royal Dance (Abengfor), and many other burning issues.
Yes, you have finished the Traditional and Cultural Festivals marking the exit of Fon Ndefru III, the 50th Anniversary of the ascension of Fon Angwafo III S.A.N., to the Mankon throne on April 4th, 1959, the voluminous file on the creation of the over 70 quarter councils by the Mankon Traditional Council, several land disputes/arbitrations, disenclavement of many quarters in Mankon, the supply of potable water, construction of bridges and culverts, Fundraising by M.T.C. for more development projects in Mankon, etc. You did much but much is still to be done, but... You were on retirement, but not yet tired because you remained a consultant and researcher in Mankon culture and tradition, teacher training, and rural signs.
As M.T.C. chairman you represented the Fon and we accompanied the Fon on missions to brotherly Fondoms for various ceremonies, the enthronement of new Fons, cultural, traditional and other festivals. We equally accompanied to him to many places such as Buea, Limbe, Mutengene, Tiko, Douala, Yaounde, Banwa, Bandjoun, Dschang, etc. for Mankon Cultural and Development Association (MACUDA) cultural and traditional festivals. To ensure hitch-free missions, they were minisciously prepared and always registered the expected results: resounding success.
Mr. Chairman of M.T.C., your age, notwithstanding, you were energetic, performant, indefatigable, and up to the task. You were kind, friendly, generous, fatherly, humorous, and a good mixer with people of all ages and social strata. Your doors were ever ajar to all and sundry.
Mr. Chairman, I served you as your personal assistant very diligently and without reservation. On this note, may therefore I request you to do me a favour by constantly interceding for those you have left behind: your dear family, your friends, and Mankon Fondom, for peace, love, unity, and abundant blessings from God Almighty to reign amongst them.
Finally, we want to tell Pa A.F. Ndenge, Nkum Kwifor, that we love you and will miss you forever! You have been a great gift and a wonderful asset to Mankon Fondom and the state of Cameroon. We have to thank God and accept His verdict as final and unquestionable. Mr. Chairman, as you negotiate the last turn into the land of glory and perfection, we pray God Almighty in whom you invested all your life, loved, served, and worshipped, that in His infinite love and mercy, should be gracious and merciful to you and grant you perfect peaceful rest in His Everlasting Kingdom.
Mr. Chairman of M.T.C., my mentor fare ye well - R.I.P.
Sanjou-Tadzong Abel Ndeh
Adviser to M.T.C.