Buea: Bokwaongo new ruler tasked to be unifier, developer
Njie Mbonde crowned 5th Bokwaongo monarch
By Nchendzengang Tatah
Bokwaongo’s new king, Chief Njie Mbonde Albert was crowned the fifth monarch of the mountain side community in a heavily attended event on June 7 at the Bokwaongo Pala Pala field before the Divisional Officer for Buea, Dr Abba Abdouraman.
Chief Njie Mbonde was distinguished with the highest grade in the traditional order by the crown heads of Fako following his selection by the kingmakers. The stands were painted blue and oxblood with the coronation fabric sewn in different styles and forms. Amongst the thousands who showed up were Senator Mbella Moki, Honourable Findi Mokondo, Bishop Michael Bibi, and Motombi Mbome.
Over 50 chiefs were present coming from across the Fako Division. Led by the Naliomo of Buea, His Royal Majesty Dr Esuka Endeley, other chiefs in attendance included chiefs John Manga Williams, Mwafise Benda, Embola Mulobe, and Ikome Mesoso.
A distinguished stool
HRH Chief Esuka Endeley, who wore the crown on Chief Mbonde, said the stool of Bokwaongo was very significant to Bakweri cosmology despite having been classified as third class. He said that it was one of three key villages in the Bakweri clan. The three are anglicised as Buea, Bonakanda and Bokwaongo. Chief Endeley explained that these villages are those which have established paths which go up the mountain, home of the Bakweri deity, “Epassa Moto”. There are those who bring back missing children from the mountain, and make peace with the mountain spirits during the mountain race.
“This stool is critical to the Bakweri people, that is why I go barefoot,” he explained as he stood barefoot before the eager crowd. “If we make a mistake with this stool the Bakweri clan goes down,” Chief Endeley stated. Going on to put the crown on Chief Mbonde as the crowd cheered. Chief Eko of Dikolo Bimbia, who is the oldest Fako chief (83years) handed to the new king the “motimo” – a broom of authority.
Unifier chief
In the speech of installation, Dr Abba Abdouraman saluted the memory of Chief Molua Elkana Messe, who was Chief Mbonde’s predecessor. He hoped that the new king would bring the villagers together to chat about parts of unity and development.
“Once in office, you are the chief of all six families that constitute your village without exception. You are the chief of all the sociological components of your community without any distinction of tribe, religion, or political affiliation. Royal Highness, you are taking the reign of the village at the time when our country is on the eve of a major electoral stake,” the civil administrator exhorted.
Further reminding the need for republican and civic-mindedness in the population to foster peace and shun violence. The DO for Buea was convinced that the task ahead was daunting for the new ruler , as local development was at the centre of the government agenda with increased decentralisation of powers.
Mr Abdouraman said: “I urge you, as the primary actor of the development of your community, to spare no effort to bring everybody on board. In the same vein, you must particularly focus on closely monitoring the management of the land and resources of the village. To this effect, you must stand strong without hesitation, denounce if necessary or take appropriate action…”
About Chief Mbonde
Born on the 1st of July, 1980 in Bokwaongo, Chief Albert Njie Mbonde attended Government School, Likoko Membea, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He later enrolled on the Government Bilingual High School in Limbe, from where he obtained his Ordinary Level and Advanced Level Certificates. He then gained admission into the University of Buea in the department of Political Science.
He has also served as a sports magazine editor at the CRTV National Station. Since 2018, he has been the political desk editor at CRTV national radio station. As a communication consultant, Njie Mbonde has served as press officer in charge of the Under-17 Lions in 2023 and the Intermediate Lions of Cameroon at the Cameroon Football Federation. From 2011 to 2018, Mbonde was press attache at the communication unit of the Cameroon National Olympic and Sports Committee.
