For fear of the Unknown, North West, SDF, buries Belo Mayor from a distance

By Bakah Derick 

The North West region and the Social Democratic Front SDF party have buried one of their illustrious sons and development argent from a distance due to the armed conflict rocking the region. 

The late Mayor of Belo Tosam Bernard N. was laid to rest in Baingo in his native Kom land last Sunday Feb 25 during a strict family event that was void administrative or political attendance.

 

SDF National Chairman Fru Ndi pays last respect to Mayor Tosam

The information that circulated around Bamenda scaring the administrator and politicians which we cannot independently confirm was that armed groups currently battling the military in Belo had promised an open  confrontation should persons ranking as such accompany the remains. 

In what looked like a reply to those threats, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Front John Fru Ndi while addressing mourners at the Bamenda congress hall expressed anger at the fact that Mayor Tosam was denied the privilege to have a deserved befitting burial at home; a place he worked so hard to build. The SDF leader noted that if he had his way he would have taken Mayor Tosam’s remains to his native Baba II village and burry in grand style.  

 

Prof Emiritus Paul Nkwi member of the Constitutional Council pays last respect to Mayr Tosam

The official burial ceremony at the Bamenda congress hall which normally should have taken place in Belo where he has serve as Mayor for over 20years, gave an opportunity for the administration of the region including those of Belo and SDF party officials, parliamentarians, Senators and colleague Mayors to beat farewell to Mayor Tosam who some described as a development bulldozer and staunched party loyalist. These personalities will however not muster the courage to follow the remains of the departed Mayor to Baingo even his colleagues and fellow kinsmen from Belo and Boyo as a whole. 

Prior to the burial and the official ceremony, a requiem mass was said in his honour at the St Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Bamenda where the faithful thanked God for his life and prayed for his peace repose. 

“It is with profound sadness that I learnt of the passing on to eternal glory of Mayor TOSAM Bernard (Mayor of Belo) on the 16 of January 2019 in Yaoundé. Mayor Tosam has left an outstanding legacy of unique achievements in the development agenda of Belo Municipality and Boyo Division. I share in this colossal loss and offer my sympathy to his beloved family, staff, collaborators and political partners. May he rest in total peace as our Heavenly Father receives his soul.” Sen. Honoré NGAM from Boyo writes 

Senator Honore Ngam from Boyo pays last respect to Mayor Tosam

On getting the news Nformi  Ndzerem Stephen the Director General of SHUMAS writes “Oh, sad to learn about the passing into glory of this development guru, who stood tall and distinguished from all his colleagues around the country. Someone who stood firm to his words and commitments.  A gentleman from all sense of the world. May your gentle soul continue to rest in peace.” 

It should be recalled Mayor Tosam Bernard died at the Yaounde University I Teaching Hospital after a prolong illness. According to The National Times, Mayor Tosam’s last outing was on January 9 when he shared out didactic materials to primary school Head Teachers in Nkwen Bamenda.

Born on the 3^rd December 1958, late Tosam Bernard became Pioneer Mayor of the Belo council on the SDF ticket till date. He died while serving his fourth consecutive Mandate and Assistant Chairman of the Union of Cities and Councils of Cameroon, UCCC. He was a polygamist and father of many children.