At 28, the Fon of Nkambe steps onto the regional stage carrying youth, unity and a rare development driven backing.
When His Majesty Fon Amidou Nji of Nkambe was elected President of the North West House of Chiefs with 88 of the 90 votes cast, the margin alone spoke of confidence. Yet beyond the numbers lies a deeper story about what the youngest traditional ruler in the Assembly brings to an institution tasked with guiding culture, peace and governance in a fragile region.
His Majesty Fon Amidou Nji arriving the North West Regional ahead of election
Fon Amidou Nji is a newcomer to the North West Regional Assembly, but not to leadership. Crowned at a young age, he carries the authority of the Nkambe people, conferred through tradition and reinforced by a strong bond with his community. That bond was publicly displayed shortly after his election on 16 December 2025, when the Nkambe population turned out in large numbers at the Regional Assembly grounds. With banners, peace plants, songs and dance, they transformed the celebration into a statement of unity and collective purpose.
For observers, the show of support was not accidental. Nkambe has, in recent years, emerged as one of the more organised and forward looking towns in the North West Region. This progress has largely been driven by a rare synergy between traditional authority, political leadership and development actors. Fon Amidou Nji is both a product and a symbol of that cohesion.
The political and development elite of Nkambe and the wider Donga Mantung Division were visibly present during the election. Honourable Ngala Gerard, Member of Parliament for Nkambe, was seen on multiple fronts, working closely with stakeholders to ensure a smooth process. His open support for the Fon underscores the alignment between traditional and political leadership that many say is key to Nkambe’s stability.
At the municipal level, Mayor Musa Shey Nfor has been widely credited with laying the groundwork for Nkambe’s transformation into an increasingly attractive urban centre. A prince of the Nkambe Fondom himself, the Mayor is expected to remain one of the Fon’s closest collaborators as development priorities shift from council chambers to the regional stage.
Beyond politics, influential sons and daughters of Donga Mantung are also part of the wider support system the Fon brings with him. Yaah Judith, General Manager of CAMTEL, followed the election process closely, offering strategic input on what could work within the Assembly framework. Shey Jones Yembe, Chief Executive Officer of MAG Construction Company, is already reshaping Nkambe’s landscape through the execution of the ring road project. Fru Calistus Gentry, interim Minister of Mines and another son of the Division, has long been associated with development efforts in the area.
Institutional efficiency is also likely to benefit from shared roots. The Fon is expected to work closely with the Secretary General of the North West Regional Assembly, Peter Yerima, who also hails from Donga Mantung. Those familiar with the Assembly believe this relationship could enhance coordination between the House of Chiefs and the Assembly administration.
For the North West Region as a whole, this level of unity signals tangible gains rather than rhetoric. A coordinated front between traditional rulers, political leaders and development actors can translate into stronger bargaining power for regional projects, more coherent peace building efforts and quicker responses to community needs. It also offers the region a credible voice in national decision making, backed by consensus rather than division. If channelled effectively, this unity could accelerate infrastructure development, support the rehabilitation of traditional institutions and help restore social cohesion across a region in search of stability and renewal.
As President of the House of Chiefs and Vice President of the Regional Executive Council, Fon Amidou Nji assumes office at a time when many palaces across the North West remain in ruins and cultural values have been weakened by years of crisis. His youth places him in a unique position to speak to a generation seeking relevance in tradition, while his background anchors him firmly in the authority of custom.
Serving alongside Fon Zofoa Abubaka Fuanfor Yung as Secretary, Fon Amidou Nji enters the House of Chiefs not merely as a symbolic figure, but as a bridge between tradition, governance and development. For many in the region, his election signals a shift towards leadership that blends inherited wisdom with modern coordination, and a belief that unity, when well organised, can still move institutions forward.
Some pictures
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Online
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