Prof. Peter Agbor Tabi forever:

Historic farewell to a great patriot and statesman

The Secretary General of the presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh presided on behalf of the head of state, Paul Biya, the official funeral ceremonies of the fallen hero and patriot, on Saturday 4 June 2016, in Mamfe.

By Ojong Steven Ayukogem back from Mamfe

Police officers carry Agbor Tabi’s 

casket to funeral ground

The town of Mamfe was busy like a beehive on Saturday, 4 June 2016, during the official funeral ceremonies of the Minister, ASG of the presidency, Prof. Peter Agbor Tabi, who died in Paris, France on 26 April 2016. Thousands of mourners from far and near defied the bumpy roads and thronged into the town to pay their last homage to the fallen hero.

Braving the scotching heat of the midday sun, the mourners sat all through the funeral ceremonies only walking away dejectedly as the corpse finally left Mamfe for Ndekwai village where it was laid to eternal rest.

Presided over by the Secretary General of the presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, who doubled as personal representative of President Paul Biya, the funeral ceremonies witnessed the presence among others of over two score government ministers, parliamentarians, political leaders notably SDF Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi, clergymen, traditional rulers, women’s leaders, CPDM supporters and a huge crowd of curious on-lookers.

                The college of pastors that officiated at the ecumenical service prayed God to grant a peaceful repose to the soul of the departed and also comfort the bereaved family. The pastors reminded mourners that because death is the natural end for all humans, people should live their lives knowing that one day they will die.

                In his touching remarks on the occasion, the SGPr, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh described Professor Agbor Tabi as “a man of conviction, values and responsibility, who served his nation with diligence and commitment.” He said Prof. Agbor Tabi who was his former teacher at IRIC, Yaounde was soft-spoken and humble yet very firm and resolute.

                Ngoh Ngoh said because of Agbor Tabi’s force of character and his sense of public service, President Paul Biya never hesitated to entrust him with very challenging tasks... And Prof Agbor Tabi never failed the president in all these daunting assignments.

                Ngoh Ngoh who incidentally became Prof. Agbor Tabi’s boss at the Presidency noted that President Biya was literally devastated by the sad news of Prof. Agbor Tabi’s passing. He recounted that Prof. Agbor Tabi succumbed to illness despite concerned efforts by President Biya to get doctors to save his life. He said President Biya was touched all the more because despite his illness, Agbor Tabi still mustered courage and came to the office to perform the tasks assigned to him.

                “In Prof. Agbor Tabi we have lost a prominent figure in the Cameroon administration; we have lost a great statesman and patriot,” Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh said, noting that Prof Agbor Tabi was most trusted and held in very high esteem by President Biya.

                After making his very touching remarks the SGPr proceeded to elevate the departed statesman to the dignity of officer of the Cameroon order of valour, posthumously.

                The SGPr’s interventions did not come before other people were called up to pay their last tributes. They included notably Prof. Agbor Tabi’s elder brother, David Agbor Tabi; his son Samuel Agbor Tabi, the spokesman of SW chiefs, HRH Fritz Gerald Nasako, and the representative of the CPDM central Committee, Minister Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute.

                Meanwhile, the condolence message of President and Mrs. Chantal Biya to the wife and family of the departed was read by the SDO for Manyu, Peter Tieh Ndeh.

                A reception followed immediately after the corpse left Mamfe for Ndekwai village for burial.

Eulogies

He did a lot for Manyu

- H.E. Victor Mengot Arrey – Minister of special duties

                Prof. Agbor Tabi was one of the elite of Manyu who will be remembered for the great things he did for his people. He worked very hard to place Manyu at the highest pedestal by investing in the human resources of the division. He was always ready to work not only for Manyu but for the entire South West region and Cameroon, and we are grateful to him for this. We will work hard to fill the gap his departure has created.”

A big loss for Manyu CPDM

- Hon. Okpu Susan Nsosie, CPDM MP for Eyumojock

                “It is a big loss for CPDM in Manyu and Cameroon. I worked under Prof. Agbor Tabi for 27 years and I should say he was a committed party leader. He was a fisher of men for the party; he convinced many who left the party during the turbulent 1990s to come back on board. He was soft-spoken but very determined. He had a vision for Manyu; he tried to know every Manyu person by name and would always call and encourage them. He supported all the four sections of the CPDM in Manyu without discrimination. We will live to remember him for this.

He was a family man

- David Agbor Tabi, elder brother of Chief Prof. Agbor Tabi

                Prof. Agbor Tabi’s passing has created a big vacuum in our family and division. He was a man who had a lot of concern for his family and his division. He intervened whenever there was a problem and was always ready to give his support. His departure is a difficult situation for us to digest. It is a big loss for our family and the entire Manyu Division.

He wanted the best for his children

- Samuel Agbor Tabi – son of the deceased

                “I don’t like to recall the last days of my father on earth. It is so painful to recall how he had become so weakened by illness. These are memories I would not like to keep. I’d rather remember my father as that man who always advised us about life; who always tried to guide us in all we were doing; who wanted always the best for his children; who pushed us to work hard and made us to know that in life nothing good comes easy.

A great statesman

-   Senator Mbella Moki Charles

                Prof. Agbor Tabi was an illustrious son of Manyu and the South West. He was a very courageous politician who fought for his people and won a lot for them. He led his people with conviction and determination. He was a source of inspiration for me and many young politicians. He was humble and soft-spoken yet very rigorous and firm. He believed in results. in his death part of me has also died.

He reformed our educational system 

-  Ni John Fru Ndi, SDF chairman

                His death touches me as a political leader. This was somebody who implemented landmark reforms in the educational system of the country. We hope that the students he thought will apply the principles and values he imparted in them.

A huge loss for the CPDM

-   Dion Ngute, CPDM representative

                He was a member of the Central Committee for a long time; an active supporter of the party. He did a lot to pull back militants who had defected to the opposition. He has left Manyu in the hands of the CPDM. So it is a huge loss for our party. We have lost an able lieutenant.