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| Vice PM Amadou Ali decorating paramount chief posthumously |
- HRM Endeley elevated posthumously to the dignity of Grand Cordon of the Cameroon Order of Merit
By Ojong Steven Ayukogem and Ajongakou Santos in Buea
The Paramount Chief of Buea, HRH Nakuve SML Endeley who died on Tuesday 7 July 2015, has been buried at his Mokunda Palace in Buea, after an official funeral ceremony at the Bongo Square ceremonial grand stand, on Saturday 25 July 2015.
Representing the Head of state at the State Funeral, the Vice Prime Minister in charge of Relations with the Assemblies – Amadou Ali, said the departed was a true patriot and a monument of National Unity. Amadou ali proceeded to elevate the fallen patriot to the highest order of merit in the country- the Grand Cordon of the National Order of Merit.
During the almost 3-hour funeral service on the occasion, the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon described the fallen hero as a devout Christian and a man who contributed enormously to the growth and strength of the church.
Various speakers on the occasion, notably the chairman of the Fako support committee, H.E. Peter Mafany Musonge, described the late chief as a monument of the Bakweri people and a custodian of the Bakweri Heritage, who added dignity to the Bakweri Royalty.
In a Eulogy published in the funeral pamphlet that was distributed free to mourners, the Chairman of the Buea Royal Traditional Council, Sir Humphrey Ekema-Monono, described the departed Paramount Chief as “a traditionalist to the core, who worked tirelessly to stop the erosion of Bakweri traditional values and customs, while reviving those that had gone moribund.”
For their part, the elite of Fako, described the departed patriarch as an embodiment of the search for excellence, who served as a source of inspiration not only for many Fako sons and daughters but also for many Cameroonians and citizens of the world at large.
In his tribute to the veteran colleague, the President of Fako Lawyers Association FAKLA, Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor Balla, described the departed Chief Judge as “a legal icon and fore-bearer of private legal practice in Anglophone Cameroon, whose legacy continues to serve as mirror and anchor for young lawyers.”
Many others who spoke to The Median on the sidelines of the funeral ceremonies, described Chief Endeley as a patriarch who despite his towering personality and achievements remained humble and simple.
“He was always jovial, cheerful and smiling,” remarked a Buea resident of Bamileke extraction, Jean-Marie Penda alias carpenter, who said he has lived in Great Soppo, Buea for almost 40 years running and knew Chief Endeley even before he was enthroned as the Paramount ruler of Buea.
Paramount chief SML Endeley’s funderal was attended by the Secretary General of the CPDM party-Jean Kuete, the National Chairman of the SDF party Ni John Fru Ndi, Ministers, Senators, N.A members, the GM of SONARA Ibrahim Talba Malla, the GM of CSPH, Elung Paul Che, the paramount chief of the Bafaws Senator Nfon V.E. Mukete, the fon of Bali – Fon Gah Nyonga II, the Roving Ambassador, Roger Albert Milla, among many others.
It should be mentioned that the journey of the paramount chief to the world beyond started on Friday morning with the confining and removal of his mortal remains from the Buea Mortuary. This was done in all privacy and exclusively by the chiefs of Buea and family members.
The casket bearing the Paramount chief was later paraded to the Presbyterian Church Buea Town before it was laid in state at the Mokunda Palace, Buea Town for viewing.
In the morning hours on Saturday, the body of the Retired Chief Justice was taking to the Buea Court of Appeal for judicial honours. But this was not before the caravan made a brief stop at the famous Buea Mountain Club that the chief co-incorporated in 1964 along with the late Pa Nanga and the late Pa Lebaga. Since for over 50 years Chief Endeley remained the custodian of the very strict rules and principles of the historic club that still upholds the Anglo-Saxon tradition of ‘once a gentle man always a gentleman.’
It was at about mid-day that the Paramount ruler was laid at the Bongo square ceremonial grounds for the official funeral ceremonies.
Worthy of mention is the fact that though the official funeral ceremonies took the garb of a Christian and modern funeral, the casket bearing the Paramount Chief was dressed in strictly traditional paraphernalia- leaves, raffia and more. Thus any persons who came out of curiosity and did not know whose funeral it was, did not need to be told that it was a traditional king that was being honoured.
The King is gone! Long Live the King.
Testimonies
A venerated icon & phenomenon
-Ntumfor Barr. Nico Halle, SG Cameroon Bar Association
The late Chief EML Endeley was a man of inestimable love and kindness. His largesse was unquestionable, his spirituality unconditional. He was a mentor and icon, a monument of wisdom, a lawyer of unimpeachable mettle, and a venerated phenomenon in the judiciary. He had an unrivalled legacy. As a traditional ruler he was imbued with King Solomon’s wisdom. He was an encyclopedia par excellence. He was a peace loving patriot. His loss is as irreparable as it is irreplaceable. My condolences to the entire Endeley family, the Bakweri people, the venerated chiefs of the SW Chiefs Conference and the judiciary of Cameroon.
A lawyer of unrivalled brilliance
- Prof. Ndiva Kofele Kale, nephew
He was my uncle. As a young man I got attracted to him because of his unrivalled intelligence and brilliance as a lawyer in Lagos, Nigeria. In fact he inspired me to become the lawyer and scholar that I am today. He was an archive, an encyclopedia especially for the Bakweri people. His loss is irreplaceable.
I owe my education to him
- Patrick Ekema Esunge, mayor of Buea
Paramount chief SML Endeley was a very generous and kind-hearted man. As a form 5 student when I could not register for the GCE because of my poor background, I went to him and he immediately signed a check for me to collect money at BICEC Bank. When BICIC would not pay me because I hadn’t a National Identity Card, he drove me to the Bank and gave me the money. Also when I could not continue my schooling after the GCE ‘O’ levels because of lack of school fees I went again to him with another request which he granted. This time he provided me a parcel of land from where I excavated sand and sold to pay my fees. In fact I should say I owe my education to him.
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