It has been six days of intense activity reserved for the
last journey of Bobe Yong Francis an illustrious son a region and nation will
miss forever. For these six days, the government has stood by the family of
this 68years old man A self-made president who emerged from the little kwon
village of Elemighong Anyajua Kom.
It all started from the Douala international airport
Wednesday January 29 as the family, administration through the Rector of the
University of Douala, the tradition of Kom through the Mubuh, sport/media men
and women, employees and sympathizers showed up in numbers to welcome the
repatriated Bobe Yong’s body home.
As the remains of Bobe Yong spent 24hours in the mortuary of
the Holy Family medical health center Akum on Thursday Jan 30, the city of
Bamenda was sucked in deep anxiety to behold the reality of his passing on to
eternity. This was fully demonstrated on Friday Jan. 31, as thousands did not
only line the answer present in the mortuary to remove his remains but also
lined the streets to give Bobe Yong a hero’s welcome even in death.
At the St. Joseph Metropolitant Cathedral Big Mankon Bamenda
where a requiem mass is said in his honour, His lordship Andrew Nkea Bishop of
Mamfe Diocese reminded the thousands of mourners present that all we work for
is vanity reason why it is needless fighting, disuniting, or hating each other
over earthly things. Following the successes achieved in his diverse
businesses, the Bishop described Bobe Yong as A Jack of all trades and master
of all a description which contradicts the adage “Jack of all trades and master
of none”. As he was brought into church, he is taken out out by the Catholic
Men Association a group through which he evangelized through his deeds and
lifestyle in the Church.
From the Church Northwest regional Governor Adolph Lele
L’afrique and his collaborators will join the thousands who showed up for a
regional event in his honour in the congress Hall. The ingenuity of Choves Loh
as coordinator blend perfectly with a well-rehearsed choir by the students of
NPB to produce a synchronized ceremony marked by eulogies and viewing of Bobe
Yong as he lies lifeless in his casket in a dark suit and traditional cap.
From the congress hall Pa Yong passed the night in the court
yard of his Ntamulung residence as thousands looked on. WHILE Rev Fr. Tatah
Mbuy priest of the Bamenda Archdiocese joined the students of Progressive
Comprehensive High school to pray in a night Mass, others will meet in National
Polytechnic Bamenda, Comprehensive High school Bambui and Anyajua for the wake.
Activities took a faster pace on Saturday Jan 1 after notifications
came that the president of the Republic will be represented at the final
funeral Mass and burial of Bobe Yong. Before
it was 9am the remains of Bobe were already in Amphi 1000 of NPB.
For close to three hours His Lordship George Nkuo Bishop of
Kumbo Diocese who happened to be a son of kom tried to convince mourners
present to have hope in the resurrection like Christians. The Minister of
Territorial administration and decentralization Renee Emmanuel Saddi
representative of the Head of state was present but came on the lamb light when
he laid a Presidential rift on Bobe Yong’s casket and when he decorated him posthumously
as
commander of Cameroon’s order of value.
Bobe Yong’s death came with lots of surprises amongst them
the presence of the Paramount Fon of Kom HRH Vincent Yuh II at the funeral an
action that has not happened in his 20years reign.
Bobe Yong’s body was lowered into mother earth in Elemighong
after messages that consoled the mourners and presented Bobe Yong as an example
to emulate. Amongst the many villages that turned out in official delegations
to participate in Bobe Yong’s funeral was Nkwen with over 200men in traditional
gowns and guns.
Sunday 2nd February 2014, the Elemighong Anyajua
Catholic Church opened wide its doors to thank God during a Holy Mass for the
life of Bobe Yong and his successful last journey. Fons of the Northwest joined
many others to pledge their support to the Yong’s family.
Traditional dances from within and without Kom stormed Pa
Yong’s Compound Monday 3rd February to mark the final death
celebration of Bobe Yong Francis.