SW Governor Cautions Kupe-Muanenguba SDO to Eschew Chieftaincy Polemics

By Nchendzengang Tatah

The Governor of the South West region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, instructed the new Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Kupe Muanenguba, Nguia Beina Théophile, to refrain from interfering with the customary norms of the people, especially in the procedure for electing new chiefs.

The chief commanding authority of the South West was speaking at the esplanade of the Paul Biya stadium in Bangem on August 5, 2025, during installation rituals to usher in Nguia as the thirteenth SDO for Kupe Muanenguba.

The takeover ceremony was attended by the SDO of Manyu, Awounfack Yves Bernard Alienou, the President of the South West Regional Assembly, Bakoma Zacchaeus Elango, divisional executives, and key elements of defence and security, as well as representatives of legalised political parties and a quota of the local population.

The custodians of the local traditional norms of the indigenous people were conspicuously present, to which Governor Bilai was firm that the new senior administrator to uphold their essence. Nguia was told to avoid taking sides in customary affairs, especially chieftaincy procedures.

“Exercise proven neutrality and objectivity as well as the strict respect of the local customs and traditions in the handling of chieftaincy consultation or disputes. I exhort you to resist all forms of pressure from contesting parties or their supporters to avoid controversial decisions which jeopardise the administration’s credibility,” Bilai stated. The new Kupe Muanenguba SDO was taking over after an intense chieftaincy fight in Manyemen, where administrators were accused of being compromised.

He went on to admonish the administrator, whom he described as seasoned, to pay particular attention to long-standing and recurrent disputes that have been recorded in the area. Still in line with achieving peace and order, Nguia was told to work in tandem with the local population through the collaboration of the forces of law and order to ensure stability and prosperity.

Okalia Bilai emphasised the necessity of all stakeholders to support education in the area to fast-track its development.
Moreover, the new SDO was exhorted to collaborate with stakeholders of the community while resisting all attempts to be manipulated into becoming an ally or hostage of any elite of the division.

Population to collaborate

Governor Bilai demanded collaboration from the population for the new SDO. He asked them to use the senior administrator as a catalyst for the development of the area. He warned about seeking to bring down the Nguia, but rather enabling him to discharge his functions in the end to effect nation building.

About SDO Nguia

Nguia Beina Théophile was born on the 1st of July 1973 in Bafang, West region. He hails from the East region and began his education in Garoua. By 1986, he enrolled in college and eventually obtained the BEPC in 1990. He then moved to Bafoussam, where he completed high school in 1995. Nguia had a first degree in Law and Political Science from the University of Dschang in 2001. He also holds a Cycle A diploma in General Administration from ENAM.

Nguia began his career as Chief of Service for Proactive Management of Workforce at the Department of Human Resources, MINAT. Over the years, he has served amongst others as Divisional Officer for Mokolo and Head of Unit for Coordination at the Department of Territorial Administration, MINAT. Until he was appointed SDO on 22 July 2025, Nguia was Secretary General at the East Governor’s office since 2019. The 52-year-old is married and the father of nine children.