Special Honours to a Brave Patriot:

Biya Grants Mayor Patrick Ekema State Burial

-The President of the Republic was represented at the hugely-attended funeral in Buea by the Minat, Paul Atanga Nji.
-The Paramount Chief of Buea, Robert Esuka Endeley, delivered a soul-searching eulogy for his departed childhood friend.
-Mayor Ekema elevated posthumously to the dignity of Commander of Cameroon Order of Valour.
By Boris Esono in Buea

Minister Paul Atanga Nji pays last respect to late Ekema Patrick Esunge

Patrick Esunge Ekema, the 43-year-old Mayor of Buea, who died suddenly on 27 October in Douala, has been buried in his private residence, in his native town of Buea in the South West region.
    Mayor Ekema was buried after an official funeral ceremony at the Independence Square (Bongo Square), at Clarks’ Quarters Buea.
    The president of the republic, Paul Biya, was personally represented at the official funeral ceremonies by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, who delivered the president’s special condolence message at the instance and also presented the wreath from the presidential couple.
    Also conspicuously present at the grandstand was the Minister, Assistant SG of the Presidency, Paul Elung Che; the Grand Chancellor of National Orders and Chairman of the National Bilingualism Commission, Peter Mafany Musonge; the Minister of Secondary Education, Prof Nalova Lyonga Egbe, the Governor of the SW, Okalia Bilai, the SDO for Fako, the Gov’t Delegates of Limbe and Kumba, Mayors, MPs, traditional chiefs and  a cross section of the who is who of the SW region.
    Speaking at the funeral ceremony, Minister Atanga Nji described the fallen hero as an exemplary patriot, who defended his country with unreserved loyalty, commitment and bravery. He said he and Mayor Ekema had many things in common - courage, determination, fighting spirit, respect for state institutions, and above all unflinching support for President Biya.
    “A devout servant of his community, Ekema was hardly found in his office; he was always on the streets fighting to put order. He made sure the streets of Buea were permanently clean. He put order in the bike riding sector etc”
    Atanga Nji exhorted other young Cameroonians to emulate Mayor Ekema’s courage and his tireless defense of the unity of Cameroon.

    On behalf of the head of state, Minister Atanga Nji elevated Mayor Ekema Patrick posthumously to the dignity of Commander of the Cameroon Order of Valour.
    The rituals were performed by the Minat, not before the casket bearing Ekema’s remains was ushered into the Buea Independence (Bongo) Square, by a detachment of the military and the police marching to the rythm of the military band. 
    In the series of eulogies that were delivered, the Acting Mayor of Buea, DR. Efande, the Minister of Secondary Education, Prof. Nalova Lyonga, the Paramount Chief of Buea, HRM Robert Esuka Endeley, his bossom friend Boni Dashaco, all described Mayor Ekema as a controversial but great leader and patriot, who served his community and country with passion, commitment and bravery.
    In what many described as a soul-searching eulogy, the Paramount Chief of Buea, HRM R.E. Endeley, a childhood friend of Ekema’s, likened his departed friend to the mythical Elephant (Ekpek’a Njoku), whose presence drew attention and whose walk shakes the ground.
    Esuka Endeley recalled how Ekema, during his over six years as Mayor, gave his all to defending Buea, and how he served his people with devotion and passion.
    Mayor Ekema is arguably the second personality from Buea to be given such a high-profile funeral by the state. The only other person to be given similar honours was the late Paramount Chief of Buea, HRM Nakuve Chief Justice SML l’Endeley.
    Meanwhile, in the entire SW region, another personality who was also honoured with a state funeral was the late Minister, ASG of the Presidency, Prof. Peter Agbor Tabi, who died on 27 May 2015.