By Bakah Derick
The late Bobe Francis Yong has been accorded two prestigious posthumous honours: the Cameroon Order of Merit, conferred by President Paul Biya, and the title of Kom Icon of All Generations, bestowed by the Paramount Fon of Kom. Thousands of mourners gathered in Bamenda and Anyajua-Kom to pay their final respects to the educationist, media figure, sports promoter, and agriculturalist.
The funeral proceedings commenced early in the morning at the National Polytechnic Bamenda (NPB), one of Pa Yong’s most notable legacies. By 8 a.m., the campus was filled to capacity as dignitaries, relatives, and well-wishers assembled for a Requiem Mass celebrated by Bishop George Nkuo of Kumbo. The Mass, the third phase of Pa Yong’s journey to eternity, was attended by several high-profile personalities from within and beyond Cameroon.
Tributes to a life well lived
In his homily, Bishop Nkuo described Pa Yong as a man of simplicity and generosity, who demonstrated that one could achieve great success without formal eloquence. He highlighted Pa Yong’s commitment to community development, humanitarian service, and support for the Church, urging the congregation to emulate his example.
The official burial ceremony, sanctioned by President Paul Biya, featured eulogies from:
Vincent Nji Ndumu, Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council, who praised Pa Yong’s role in creating jobs and shaping future generations.
Prof. Asongwe Emmanuel, Rector of NPB, who announced that a monument would be erected in honour of Pa Yong.
Prof. Tafah Edokat Edward, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bamenda, who acknowledged Pa Yong’s vital contribution to higher education, particularly through the donation of infrastructure for the university’s Departments of Medicine and Technology.
Yuh Michael, representing the Yong family, who assured mourners of the family’s unity and commitment to upholding Pa Yong’s legacy.
The first phase of the official ceremony concluded with Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, René Emmanuel Sadi, decorating Pa Yong with the Cameroon Medal of Merit on behalf of President Paul Biya. The event drew a distinguished audience, including SDF Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi, Prof. Paul Ghoghomou, Bernard Muna, the Governor of the North West Region, Senators, MPs, and other dignitaries.
A royal farewell in Kom
Later in the afternoon, the funeral procession moved to Eleminghong, Anyajua, where Pa Yong was laid to rest beside his late mother. In a grand royal tribute, the Kom Palace elevated him to the revered status of Kom Icon of All Generations and decreed a royal burial under the auspices of Kwifon, the highest decision-making body in Kom. The Fon’s representative lamented the loss of yet another influential Kom figure, questioning whether Cameroon could truly advance without leaders like Bobe Yong.
A city in mourning
Since Pa Yong’s remains arrived in Bamenda on 29 January 2014, life in the city had come to a standstill. On 31 January, a Mass at the Bamenda Metropolitan Cathedral, led by Bishop Andrew Nkea of Mamfe, was followed by a public viewing and eulogies at the Bamenda Congress Hall. Over 1,000 people lined the streets to witness the arrival of the funeral convoy.
Observers likened the massive turnout at the burial to the historic reception of the Afoakom, a sacred Kom artefact returned from a U.S. museum. Estimates placed the number of mourners at both NPB and Anyajua at over 10,000.
The funeral was coordinated by veteran journalist Choves Loh of Cameroon Tribune, and several journalists covering the event were transported to Anyajua through the support of SDF Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi.
With his remarkable contributions to education, media, sports, and agriculture, Pa Yong Francis leaves behind a lasting legacy, ensuring that his vision for a better Cameroon endures for generations to come.