Tributes
Leave a tributeGod’s will be done
God’s time is the best
In everything give thanks to God
God does not make mistakes
I can get the echo of your voice drumming down these lines on our heads as you regularly did when the opportunity presented itself
Did we really understand them then? I doubt.
When you departed we mourned asking questions. Why? Why? Why?
But now we understand
That it was God’s will
That it was God’s time, the best time
That we instead had to give thanks to God
And that God did not and does not make mistakes
How on earth would we have managed it had it happened at the wrong time?
We are today plagued by all sorts of Crisis
Sociopolitical Crisis with ghost towns and lockdowns in ground zero
Health Crisis with pandemics-Coronovirus or COVID 19 with a universal lockdown, social distancing and confinement
Continue to rest in peace and watch over us as we wangle through the multifaceted challenges of our own times.
How I miss you
It seems like yesterday
You will forever live in my hrart
"Pehla"
Here comes yet another year
We take another leaf out of that golden book of a fulfilled life
Fresh and beautifully arresting memories
Of who you were and what you stood for
Boundless Love and undiscriminating Care
Concern and Simplicity towards all without exception
Selfless Service with Simplicity and Humility in all circumstances
Values we commit to forever uphold as you watch over us from Above
Baye Alexander Bongfen
Bah
I started to write,then paused and realized there was too much to write about you and the words were not as fast as my mind was going
Your voice remains as loud and real to me everytime I need to hear it
I simply say I am glad you are my Dad
I miss you but you live in me forever♥️
Flo as you called me
'Pehla'
Alhadji
How time flies!
Five years already gone by and yet it’s still like yesterday
The warmth of your presence, there seated
Lending a keen listening ear to all, without exception
Remains green in our minds
Remembering you always evokes sublime joy, never sadness
The passing of a good man at a ripe age is a blessing to the world
The seeds of genuine love and harmony you sowed shall for ever continue to multiply
With S.S.B. Baye, your soul mate, cousin and lifelong friend
You must be having an amazing time in the company of Angels
May your light continue to shine on us, illuminating our paths until
We shall one day join you.
Baye Alexander Bongfen
It's like yesterday, since you passed into Glory.
May your soul continue to Rest in Peace
Your spirit is always with us, but we still miss you in person; especially this Easter season.
Peace and Love,
Your memory lives forever.
Priscilla
One day, like two day’s gone
One year, like two year’s gone
But the flame of love you lit in our hearts blazes on
Not a single day passes by without us
Remembering you and the values you incarnate
PATRICK
Was and remains the recipe for a fulfilling life
P – Peaceful
Patient
Patriotic
A– Apt
Admirable
Abiding
T– Tolerant
Tactful
Tireless
R – Rational
Radiant
Respectful
I – Illuminating
Ingenious
Illustrious
C – Calm
Caring
Consoling
K – Keen
Kind
Kingly
KIMBO
Kingly Impetus Mobilizing Buoyancy Overwhelmingly
Tahdom
Priscilla
Yesterday, today and forever
You remain fresh in our hearts.
Compelling memories of your values and deeds
accompany us as we strive to serve mankind the way you did
The goodness of your heart will forever remain our guiding spirit.
BAYE ALEXANDER BONGFEN
Love you
Flo
I will never forget what Priscilla's dad, Pa Henry Ngong told her after the burial.. " Your father-in-law's death celebration makes us wish to die" (reflecting obviously on your humility, the enormity of the event and the outpour of compassion and admiration for your person and accomplishments). He further stated that "after witnessing such an event, that if a man like you does not go straight to heaven, then he does not know who else would". This is the best summary of your last impressions on earth. You are a great dad forever! We love you.
We are all healthy and happy. May God bless you and Mom. We shall strive to continue your legacy, God-willing, till we meet again.
Your Taadom
Kimbo Njodzefon
This indelible day April 2nd, 2014.
Priscilla Kimbo
California, April 2, 2014
Kihkishiy Lawrence in Yaounde.
Ma famille et moi partageons le vide qui se fait autour de toi.
Qu'à cela ne tienne, je te souhaite personnellement mes condoléances.
Que la terre lui soit légère.
A kind, gentle, loving, caring
And disarming heart you had!
You radiated a rare and unflickering light
Whose rays instantly cast away all darkness!
Your inviting and accommodating smile
Reassured all; the young, the old, the fortunate as well as the not so fortunate.
Your patient and attentive ear knew no discrimination!
Your tolerance, humility and willingness to readily help in all circumstances, Remain hallmarks we must all emulate!
Pa kimbo!
You were and will forever remain a fountain of
Wisdom,
Love,
Peace,
And Reconciliation,
Fai Woo Kitaav and Wiybaa Samoa Marie Claire Yefon
My the soul of Papa Patrick Njodzefon Kimbo Rest in Peace!
Mbuh Jude.
Love Flo( as he called me)
Fare well dear father,
You will be greatly missed.
Herman Yenwo
Rest in Peace
Priscilla
Leave a Tribute
God’s will be done
God’s time is the best
In everything give thanks to God
God does not make mistakes
I can get the echo of your voice drumming down these lines on our heads as you regularly did when the opportunity presented itself
Did we really understand them then? I doubt.
When you departed we mourned asking questions. Why? Why? Why?
But now we understand
That it was God’s will
That it was God’s time, the best time
That we instead had to give thanks to God
And that God did not and does not make mistakes
How on earth would we have managed it had it happened at the wrong time?
We are today plagued by all sorts of Crisis
Sociopolitical Crisis with ghost towns and lockdowns in ground zero
Health Crisis with pandemics-Coronovirus or COVID 19 with a universal lockdown, social distancing and confinement
Continue to rest in peace and watch over us as we wangle through the multifaceted challenges of our own times.
Thank you, Pa!! and rest in peace.
Pa,
I am sitting on this Saturday April 27, 2013 as you are being laid to rest and thinking about you, your life and the family and friends and wondering how to thank you. Then it occurred to me that you had already set an example for us to follow, your soft spokenness, confidence, pride in how you conducted yourself and being a dad. The best way is to emulate and thank you is to continue to make everyone around us better. You taught me and everyone around you humility, commitment and love and miraculously shared that with thousand others during your stay with us. Thank you for Beri and Sanda, Edwin and Pricie and Florence and their children. They are a blessing to us. We will say a prayer or two for you so your journey stays blessed. I thank you on behalf of my family and friends and may God accept you and thank you on our behalf. Will miss you already! Please rest in peace.
Emma, Mike and Kids.
Godfrida Bamnjo
Uncle Mayor,
As a wonderful and special cousin as my mother still refers to you, you made sure the bond between your late Mum ( Mama Odilia K.) and my late grand mum ( Mama Theresa Nsam) continued through to our generation. The love that exists among you, Uncle SSB, my Mum Mama Nathalia Mbeh, your Sister Mama Regina Dulafeh and many family members is evident and we the young ones will continue to emulate this family orientation which is one of the many wonderful legacies you have left behind as I see so much of that you in your son Dr Kimbo Edwin and siblings.
As a mayor, you left an indelible mark in the community and the lives of so many whom you met. My twin sister and I used to feel so proud participating at the Jakiri Stadium during National days celebrations, knowing that you and my father Pa Gregory Bamnjo (one of those welcoming you in heaven now) were sitting right at the front and seeing us and we could not wait till the end of the celebrations to come and say hello and see that beautiful caring smile of yours.
Your passion for work and helping people irrespective of ethnicity and family ties was both outstanding and inspiring. Growing up as a kid in Ntseimbang, you were the only "Mayor" I knew. In my world then and still, (and it is for many who know what a fine job you did as Mayor), the title "Mayor" was not just a political position but grew to symbolize a unique name you were born with and which was made just for you and you alone. Taking your life and job very seriously created an image which is the only image that comes first in our minds whenever We see or hear this word" Mayor".
Uncle Mayor as I always call you, you communicated your departure to me in a special way two weeks before you left us to be with the Lord. Thank you! You have lived a good life, and fought a good fight. Now you are resting in the Lords hands where we are hoping to meet you again when our time comes. ADIEU UNCLE !!
Your small Cousin.
Godfrida Bamnjo
TRIBUTE: Professor Daniel Lantum
PAPA SHEY PATRICK KIMBO NJODZEFON (1926-2013)
Today, Papa Shey Patrick Kimbo Njodzefon of Jakiri is no more,
He disappeared at early hours of Tuesday, 2nd April 2013
At the Douala General Hospital where doctors did their best to save,
But the Good Lord had ruled to take him in hot Easter Season.
May His Soul Rest in Perfect Peace!
With Shey Njodzefon gone, a huge Nso BAOBAB Tree has fallen,
Leaving a void not only in Dzekwa, but in the entire Bui Division,
This was a man, mighty in his ideas, deeds and love of his people!
A true Jakiri Development Giant for over half a Century!
A man made and ordained for a big social and Christian purpose!
A successful architect of the people’s socio-economic development and change!
A special gift of God to the Dzekwa people centered around the Jakiri Community.
Shey Patrick emerged as a committed Head Master of Jakiri Primary School in the 1950’s,
Sent to initiate the rising generation of Dzekwa into modernization,
To learn to read, to write, to count, to reason, to farm and to love God,
To belong to the group, to play, pray together and face community challenges,
To vision the entire African continent and share its sympathy and belonging.
Thanks to seeing Dzekwa, Bui Division, Cameroon and Africa as their own.
Specifically to create Jakiri, work it, love it and erect it into a future city;
And Shey Patrick was blessed with the long life span to supervise it through,
And this day, Shey Njodzefon goes as a Co-Founder, builder and Inspirer of Jakiri Town.
Thanks to his inspiring, cumulative and overlapping leadership opportunities as,
Senior Head Master, long-term Serving Councillor and Mayor, Church Elder and Chairman of Parish Council,
Politician and Section President of CNU and later CPDM, Collaborator with the Christian Church,
Collaboration with National and Republican Administration, Leader of Development Projects,
And collaborator with the Fons and Nso Native Administration and Governance.
For the land-marks and Development mile stones we witnessed,
We recall with happiness and satisfaction the following list:
The Jakiri Pipe-born Water System – the pioneer in the region,
The modern Jakiri lay-out plan as a modern town for settlement and business,
The radical transfer of the old Jakiri Ntangrin Market to Shiy-road modern Market
The development of Council Offices and huge Council Field to host national events,
The creation of space for the Catholic Primary School, gigantic Parish Church and premises,
He headed the CNU as First Section President for Dzekwa in 1966,
And later for the CPDM ruling party, in their natural transition in 1985,
We counted all able Traditional Doctors to form “CUSS” in 1986,
And to offer health Care to people on Ntangrin market days at little cost;
Yet he trained his two children as medical doctors – Dr. Florence and Dr. Edwin Kimbo,
And they went to America to Specialize and update their skills
We collaborated to eliminate Severe Endemic Goiter – the big neck illness,
Which blocked Children’s IQ and caused ugly swollen necks
Thanks to promotion of Universal Salt Iodization and consumption,
And prevalence dropped from 45% to below 5% in Jakiri Endemic Zone;
But the modern construction of the huge Square Market Center in Jakiri
Which remains a model in the Grass Field and rural Cameroon,
Thanks to your exceptional collaboration with a development designer and Priest-
Who built the Catholic Primary School and Giant Parish Church in Jakiri Center,
Remain a great admirable achievement, and show of Faith and Trust
Which changed the rural village community into a promising town.
Shey Patrick Kimbo, born in 1926 of Papa Prince-Zachariah Njodzefon of Kimbo,
And his mother – a leading Mama Fourteen was mother of Regina Dulafe and brother Godfrey Ngah – a rare genius
Shey Patrick counted among the First generation Christian Children between 1920 and 1930,
On completing Standard Four at Sacred Heart School Shisong
He trekked to St Anthony’s School Njinikom for Standards Five and Six,
And became a Prep Teacher to later professionalize at either Bambui, Onitsha, Ogoja or Kake-Kumba
To later serve as Head Master and Community Development leader by 1940 to 1950s,
Thus Patrick counted among the first flames of the shining light of the Catholic Church in the grass fields
Which the A Mama Fourteen called “Ran Yee Ecclessia Catholica” with inspired pride and delight.
During the holiday period, when those Nso pioneering teachers came home,
It was a great pleasure to see them in Church at Sunday masses,
To meet them at social events such as marriage celebrations and Birthday parties,
Or during football matches which they often organized at Bamfem field;
But their singing and dressing during Christmas Night Mass celebrations,
Remain a powerful and joyful display of modernity and Christianity,
Which stigmatized them and displayed them as children of the light,
And caused us to dream dreams and to aspire to join their field;
That was their inspiration and effective contribution to the promotion of modernity.
Now, Shey Patrick Kimbo Njodzefon, the rare Nso gift of a nonagenerarian, like Mandela,
At this burial of yours, we are indeed saying, “Goodbye to your generation”,
Which made the centenary celebration of the Catholic Church in Kumbo
Diocese a happy and meaningful event on 26th January 2013.
I believe it is most fitting to attempt their roll call here now as the Church triumphant;
As the mark of our profound love and gratitude to the Mill Hill Fathers,
For your profound devotion and endeavour to develop our Bui people
They were: Teacher Lawrence Fonka of Sop, Chrysanthus Yange of Ndendzev, Alexander Lantum of Mbonyar, Charles Nsotaka of Vebaa-rong, Michael Suilabayu of Bamfem, William Tar of Faanjang, Philip Shemlon of Mbiygiy, Christian Sanosi and William Tarlah of Tankum, Philip Nsaidzeka of Ndzendzev, Albert Dzeawuni of Bonyar, Boniface Saka of Kai, Bernard Winkar of Nsomban, Joseph Lafon of Bankah, Thomas Tahta wo Tavirer, Pasto Fai wo Tooy, Thaddeus Njong wo Sarntoh, Nicholas Lon wo Taashitiy, Nicholas Ndzerem (wanto), Stephen Berka of Maamo, Paul Langdji wo Nkor, Thomas Ngamdzele wo Djottin, Peter Ndey wo Oku, Maurice Mbu Bayena of Mbisha, William Banboye of Tobin.
The inspiring women contemporary teachers were: Martha Bongka, Prudencia Heen Chila, Cecilia Veryee Jaff, Anastasia Shubuka Shemlon, Angela Lafon….
As we don’t wish to hurry the few still surviving, we ask them to join us in prayers for you.
May Patrick Kimbo, and all the departed Nso pioneering teachers, born between 1920 and 1930
REST IN PERFECT PEACE. AMEN!
Sir/Prof/Dr Daniel N. Lantum (KCOV)
Shufai Bastos