The Fon of Nso, Sehm Mbinglo I, has taken his message of unity and reconciliation to Nso community groups and traditional leaders in Douala ahead of Sunday’s Cardinal Tumi-Tribute Day, with engagements exposing concerns over divisions within the diaspora community.
Since arriving in the economic capital, the Fon has held audiences with Nso women’s associations, youth leaders, representatives of the community’s 26 Ntési (quarters), transport operators and traditional authorities. He has also met the Archbishop of Douala, His Grace Samuel Kleda, and the Paramount Nfon of the Bafaws, His Majesty Nfon Ekoko Mukete IV.
The engagements precede the community dialogue scheduled for Saturday, October 24, and the tribute to the late Cardinal Christian Wiyghan Tumi on Sunday, October 25, following a decree by the Fon declaring the date Cardinal Tumi-Tribute Day.
During a dialogue with the two Bongkisheri groups in Douala, their presidents, Matilda Katirka of Bonaberi and Ophelia Kilofonyuy of Douala, reaffirmed their commitment to working together for the common good of the Nso community.
They welcomed the Fon’s visit as a sign of the enduring relationship between the traditional throne and Nso people living away from home. However, they raised concerns about weak participation in their associations and what they described as inadequate recognition and support from the wider community.
The women said the lack of engagement had affected their ability to bring more Nso women together. Bongkisheri Bonaberi, they noted, had declined from its former level of participation and influence.
They argued that if the community considered two women’s associations necessary, both should receive the attention and support needed to remain active. The existence of two groups, they maintained, should be an opportunity to widen participation rather than deepen divisions.
The Fon encouraged the women to bring their concerns and disagreements directly to him during the community dialogue, assuring them that the issues would be discussed.
The need for unity also featured during meetings with Atà ánté’ and Ayèénté’ (quarter Heads), representatives chosen by their respective communities from Douala’s 26 Ntési.
The representatives questioned the tendency of some quarters to operate as though they were independent of the wider Nso community. While recognising the autonomy of individual quarters in local affairs, they stressed that all remained part of the larger Nso community under the umbrella of Bòŋnavtì.
The Fon welcomed the representatives and encouraged them to continue bringing Nso people together within their respective quarters.
He also received the executive of the Nso Youth Association, led by Derick Dualah, and urged its members to sustain their efforts to unite young people and promote collective responsibility in community affairs.
Members of Big Cylinder, an association of Nso truck drivers, also paid homage to the Fon. They described him as their Nyùy, or traditional father, and custodian of their cultural heritage. The drivers said they had come to seek his blessings as they continued transporting goods over long distances.
The Fon received the group and assured its members that he would acknowledge them during the subsequent programme.
Meanwhile, Nso’bati Douala, representing the wider Nso community in the city, welcomed the Fon with music, dance and gifts as he began his engagements with his people.
One of the Fon’s major engagements was an audience with the Archbishop of Douala, His Grace Samuel Kleda, on Friday, October 23.
The meeting brought a religious dimension to the visit ahead of Sunday’s tribute to Cardinal Tumi, who died on April 3, 2021, aged 90.
The Fon was accompanied by Nsaibirni Warren Lee and Ngalim Eugene, co-editors of his royal publication, The Fon of Nso and the Anglophone Crisis: A Testimony for Reconciliation and Peace. Copies of the publication were presented to the Archbishop.
The Fon also visited the annex palace of the Paramount Nfon of the Bafaws, His Majesty Nfon Ekoko Mukete IV, in Bonapriso, Douala, on Friday.
The meeting highlighted the longstanding relationship between the Nso and Bafaw traditional institutions. The two communities have shared historical links and worked together through traditional leadership structures, including the former West Cameroon House of Chiefs.
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During the visit, Nfon Ekoko Mukete IV received a copy of the Fon’s book on the Anglophone crisis, peace and reconciliation. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the two traditional rulers to reaffirm their relationship.
The Fon of Kiluun and messengers of the Fon of Oku were also among the traditional contacts featured during his Douala engagements.
The visit comes ahead of a tribute programme intended to honour Cardinal Tumi’s life of faith, service and advocacy for peace and dialogue during the Anglophone crisis.
The Fon and Cardinal Tumi shared a defining experience in November 2020, when armed separatists abducted them at Baba while they were travelling between Bamenda and Kumbo. Cardinal Tumi was released on November 6, while the Fon regained his freedom on November 10.
According to the Fon’s account in his book, he eventually returned to the Nso Palace on the night of April 2, 2021. Cardinal Tumi died in the early hours of April 3.
The Fon has described the timing of the events as spiritually significant, believing that the cardinal lived to witness his return to the palace before his death.
Under arrangements announced by the Royal Community Dialogue Coordination Committee, Sunday’s tribute will include prayers for the repose of Cardinal Tumi’s soul and thanksgiving for his life and service. The prayers will also seek lasting peace, justice and reconciliation in Nso and across Cameroon.
NSODA has mobilised its branches and community associations to coordinate Christian services on Sunday, October 25, while Muslim faithful were invited to offer prayers during Friday congregational services on October 23.
The Fon is is joining the Nso community in Douala for the tribute following Saturday’s community dialogue.
The discussions and meetings held since his arrival have placed unity within the diaspora community alongside the wider call for peace.
By Hilltopvoices Team
Additional reports and images by DE LAVMFU
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