As a minister in the West Cameroon Government, at his tender age, he initiated the tarring of the Sabga Hill, which was the most risky road and this facilitated travel and saved many lives. He is known for his conviction for the creation of a Far North West Region because it will decentralize administration, and prevent our borders becoming like the Bakassi region due to the settlers from Nigeria on them. Of course he constructed the Ako Bridge as a business contractor and this facilitated economic development in the region. He was very loyal to party leadership and government. In Donga Mantung he worked well with all the SDO’s, DOs, divisional delegates, mayors etc. His political convictions were unwavering. During the plebiscite, he voted on the side to join Nigeria. After the plebiscite, he stayed with CNU and CPDM till he departed. He is credited with the saying “What I can see sitting down, you may not see it standing on Mount Cameroon.” If you are strong, stay with the option you voted for, to join La République du Cameroun. He said he had no agenda apart from this. “You cannot now turn around to say you took a wrong strep. Did I not warn you?” Before dying he warned “Thrive with the union you have chosen.” He bought lands and built most of his houses before 1988 when he entered parliament. Most of his investments were done when he worked as business man and building contractor.
In 1988, the Party house changed the green and karki lists of the CPDM, so that two names were removed from a green list and put on the karki list and vice-versa. His list won. It was prophetic that he should return into politics at that time. He kept political secrets. He could talk intelligibly for quite long, but would never divulge sensitive political issues. He could meet the Head of State or Head of Government or ministers, but his agenda was never prematurely disclosed or disclosed for pride. He was very successful with most top government officials.
He was one of the Presidents of the Parliamentary Group, and worked in collaboration with Hon. Ndongo Essomba and Hon Ibrahim Njikoto in Parliament. In the early 1990s his timely interventions strengthened the leadership of CPDM in parliament.
His influence was so powerful that his phone calls could suddenly change a person’s destiny by giving someone an appointment. So while he was ill people began to feel that there will be a deep vacuum if he departs. He is no more, but he is alive through the many people he trained and helped, if they will remain as selfless and industrious as he was. We need leaders of his type.
(Written with permission and on behalf of the Tamfu family).
Mr. Henry Mimba Yembe,
Former General Manager of Del Monte Plantation, Tiko, and
Dr. Wilson Tamfu, Senior Lecturer in Law,
University of Buea, Cameroon.
Mr. Mimba: (237) 77828880
Dr. Wilson: (237) 74626387/(237) 97572201