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