All About The Ups & Downs Of Simon Nkwenti’s Last Journey

Bamenda became a beehive in the morning of Friday September 7, 2012. Scores of mourners trooped to the Regional Hospital mortuary as early as 7a.m for the removal of the remains of Simon Nkwenti, the Executive Secretary of the Cameroon Teachers’ Trade Union, CATTU and civil society leader. By 8am, his remains were laid in state at the Bamenda congress hall for viewing and academic honours. It lasted 2 hours. Then action moved to the Presbyterian Church, PC Chomba, some 6km away. Within these 3 scenes, there were people, action and history created. After John Ngu Foncha and Fru Ndi’s wife (Rose), Simon Nkwenti goes on record to have pulled a massive crowd composing of the big, the strong, rich, powerful and famous. At least 5000 turned out to mourn Nkwenti.

People of Mettle

Though he possessed anti-government traits, Simon Nkwenti’s funeral turned out to be a leveler for top government officials, politicians and civil society leaders to converge. Prof Joseph Owona, former minister of National Education, who had signaled his presence, sent a message at the last minute, regretting his absence, following the sudden death of an uncle. Louis Bapes Bapes, Minister of Secondary Education delegated Prof Leke Tambo, his secretary general following his involvement in an important party the next day. While Youssouf Hadjijah Alim, minister of Basic Education was represented by one of her top directors at the funeral.

Humphrey Monomo Ekema, the dynamic and able Registrar of the Cameroon General Certificate of Education, GCE board was present at the congress hall and PC Chomba, accompanied by his board chairman, Dr. Peter Abety and Deputy Registrar Denis Mojor. Even Johannes Mbong, one time deputy registrar was present.

Charles Mbella Moki, the outstanding mayor of Buea, took time off to be both at the congress hall and Chomba. Other mayors like the performant mayor of Bafut Langsi, mayors of Bamenda I and II were at Chomba.

The North West administration had the governor’s representative (his secretary general) Mezam SDO, Bamenda government delegate amongst others.

Former members of government like John B. Ndeh, Stephen Njinyam, just as Tadzong Abel Ndeh, the former Bamenda government delegate live Nkwenti’s funeral.

Politicians, civil society leaders and the press were also at hand. John Fru Ndi, the SDF national chairman clad in a white gandora, was coincidentally placed to sit beside Mary Lum Azonga (late Simon Nkwenti’s wife) also dressed in a similar colour. Hon Njong Evaristus Enwi Francis, Tasi Ntang Lucas, PC Fonso also respected history.

John Mbah Akuro, Publisher/Editor of Time Scape Journal/magazine just as Sampson Websi of CRTV were at Chomba. Other CRTV Yaounde journalists identified by Chronicle included; Benny Buma Ghana, Simon Lyonga, Joyce Lepti Fowajuh, Tabe Enonchong. The private press was massively represented with the presence of Eric Motomu, Chronicle’s publisher, Christian Ngah of Guardian Post, Peterkins Manyong of the Independent Observer, Tim Finnian of Life Time, Edward Chifuh of Vanguard, Ezekiel Dotta of Watchdog Tribune, Richard Ndeh of The Herald Tribune, all publishers. Also the North West regional bureau chiefs of Cameroon Tribune, Choves Loh, The Post, Chris Mbunwe and Eden were spotted by Chronicle.

Then teachers or prominent CATTU members like Clement Simamu, Constant Fon, Jacques Azoh Akum, Joseph Barbirng, Oliver  Wirngo and of course Emmanuel Epie and Wilfred Tassang played preponderant roles. Stephen Afu, president of PEATTU even presented a tribute at the congress hall.

Nkwenti’s colleagues of Dynamique Citoyenne and other teachers trade union were also at hand. It turned out to be a presentation of almost all sheds. Morose as some 25 clergies officiated the funeral service.

Speeches & Action

Minister Louis Bapes Bapes, was absent but present in spirit. Last August 24, 2012, barely 3 days after Nkwenti died, he wrote and signed: ‘Simon my son, you were not only a true leader but an obedient and loyal citizen. I am greatly touched by your death. I trust that God will grant you eternal life”.

It was Prof Leke Tambo, his SG who carried his message last September 7, 2012. The secondary education boss qualified Simon Nkwenti as a ‘partner’ and described CATTU as a ‘dynamic trade union’. Nkwenti, he described as ‘so intelligent’, praying that the courage he had the sense of dialogue and balancing interest he nurtured, should remain within CATTU.

Minister Bapes Bapes, urged that the new leaders of CATTU should follow the footprints of Nkwenti. By indulging in dialogue, patience, in line with President Paul Biya’s aspirations, ‘to boast up an education that is exemplary..”. in conclusion, Prof Leke Tambo averred: ‘go in peace and rest in the bossom of the Lord, Amen!”.

Prof Leke’s message, preceded the orations of the Fon of Chomba. He was not present at PC Chomba, given the traditional restriction of Fons not viewing a corpse. He dispatched an emissary, who crowned Nkwenti, posthumously with the title of ‘Ntungkwifo”, not ‘Ntumkwifon’ as the fon of Mbuh bestowed on Nkwenti some 2 years ago.

Interestingly, the rite was performed inside the church. This gave commentators reason to acclaim the flexibility of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon. According to the Chomba fon, Nkwenti was a hero in Chomba, as president of CHODECA; the torch bearer of the development of Chomba.

‘In this land, outstanding citizens are always single-out. We had a recognition for him. Now that he is gone, the kwifon of Chomba has authorized the fon of Chomba to decorate him posthumously. So with your permission, since decoration is a public affair… he has been given the highest decoration of the land… ‘Ntungkwifo’, not Ntumkwifon, the fon’s emissary reiterated.

One other touchy oration was presented by Pa Peter Nkwenti, Ntungkwifo’s dad. Papa Peter recounted how when Simon was born, he had the name Azia meaning ‘man-of-God’. He said Simon was always domineering. That even at 10, he beat-up a taxi-driver just because he had haggled the car and that would have fetch money to pay his fees in secondary school. Pa Peter regretted that his son’s death had created an indelible stain in his life. He said the church they were sitting in, for Simon’s funeral was one which he left PC Musang to contribute towards its realization. Pa Peter ended his oration with the song: ‘The Lord has given, the lord has taken, blessed is the name of the Lord”.

Yet the most touchy of orations came from Mary Lum Azonga, Simon Nkwenti’s wife, (here published below in its entirety)

Simon Nkwenti’s Last Journey:

Mary Lum Azonga, Wife

I got married to Mr. Nkwenti Simon in January 2002. Thus we are barely 10 years in marriage. We’ve lived well.

My husband: because of the many movements, had little or not time to rest, so that he could concentrate on his illness.

He battled with diabetes for long and we had tough moments. About 2 months ago, he travelled to Bertoua for a civil society meeting. He complained of body weakness and cough but took some drugs.

He came back after some days and held a council meeting for 2 days. I started telling him: daddy, we need to go to hospital and see a doctor. And he kept giving me his own dates. But we finally went.

After consultations at regional hospital, drugs were given and some exams made. After some days, he was not getting better, I was worried why the chest x-ray was repeated and nothing was found.

During his second rendezvous, more drugs were written. Just there, he told me and the doctor that he had been called to report to Yaounde for a meeting for a march against petrol. I told him he can’t go in this condition. But he told me mummy, I can’t do otherwise.

So he travelled and we kept contact on phone and he kept asking me that it was okay. When he returned 3 days after, he had to see the doctor on rendezvous. White Saturday he had to go town, he could not and got sleepy and weak. Late that same day, I made phone calls to his father, mother, uncle to come so that we go to hospital that same Saturday, because he said this to me in the presence of his son…

When he came, he said he will not go to hospital that same day but only on Monday. In hospital, he met another doctor who wrote tests, which were made the next day Tuesday. We went to see the doctor the next day Wednesday for the results. As the doctor discussed with him, he would dose off for a while and the doctor would tap him and call him for a while. This continued and the doctor asked that he be taken into the ward. He asked the doctor if he could not be taken elsewhere. And the doctor refused.

As we took him to the ward, I went to town to purchase other drugs prescribed by the doctor. It was administered and I went to town to do other things. But returned and discovered that the doctor came and found that his pulse was going down. So he requested that he should be sent to the reanimation ward for intensive care.

We got frightened and the family met the doctor requesting that he should be transferred to Shisong or another hospital. But the doctor told us that with his critical condition, he will not be able to make it considering the roads.

We made 4 days at the reanimation ward at times with oxygen. And left for the new private ward, when the doctor said he was well improved. That was on a Sunday. That same Sunday, August 19, we discussed with some friends and family members. And even cracked jokes as usual and everybody knew he was out of the danger zone.

On that fateful Tuesday morning August 21, we got up around 4am because he had fever. And we called the nurses and they administered the drip to calm down his temperature. But he kept taking as if he was feeling feverish and told us that the forces of darkness were at work. And that we should pray.

In that situation, I slept off for 1 second. And I had a terrible dream. I got up frightened and told his mother and aunt that truly, we should pray. I prayed and anointed him and everybody in the room, with anointed oil.

As early as 6a.m, I was asked by the nurses to go get another drug in town. So I asked my mother-in-law (mammy Esther) and the aunt to blink him if I delayed. Upon my return, he was still telling them that they would not bath him. So they said Mary, since you’ve been doing it with our support, go ahead. I asked him and he accepted.

Thereafter, his blood sugar was taken but it was not alarming as the nurses said. His insulin administered. We gave him food, drugs for that morning as instructed by a senior nurse as usual. The aunt, Aunty Lydia, he nicknamed ‘Army’ supported him on the bed and he insisted on holding the cup of water and drink while we gave him the drugs.

Satisfied that he was okay, we also took our own breakfast. Then told him daddy, let me check on an issue at the job site and I would return in no time. And he accepted and said bye. I now left with one of his aunts.

I got into the car but did not go out of the hospital gate and the aunt called us, that you people should return to the ward. I stopped the car and asked her: what is happening? And she insisted; you people should return.

So what is happening? Should I call the doctor? She said mammy, the better. I took my phone and called Dr. Arrey. I explained to him the call I and pleaded that he rushes to the ward and see my husband. He wasted no time.

I came and saw my husband’s eyes turning. There were already turned. The doctor came and pressed on his chest several and was like trying to resuscitate him. At the same, the people were also trying to give him oxygen. I kept touching his legs and kept crying. Daddy please you can’t do this to me.

At one time, the doctor just hooped out of the room. I called and asked, doctor where are you going to? What is happening? He did not reply. But the oxygen guys continued giving him the oxygen. And I kept caressing his legs and praying. I said please you can’t do this to me: God help me.

Mary Lum

He kept on! I will see him breathe as they were giving him the oxygen; he will stop for a while; he will breathe again, then stop for a while, then he finally stopped!

I cried! I said Lord; why?

Please, if Simon wronged anybody here, in one way or the other, please find a place in your heart to forgive him.

I want to thank family members, who were with me at the reanimation ward during those difficult moments and even at the wards.

I want to thank all the teachers for their support; friends, relatives, nurses, the doctors- especially Dr. Ayuk, who gave me all the courage and reassured me that all would be fine.

I want to thank the ministries of secondary and basic educations, ministry of labour and all of you here, who’ve come to mourn with us, in times like these now. I wish all of you a safe return.

Simon, my husband, rest in peace!