Dr. Tiku Robert is no More!

Tiku Robert

Thursday 30 July, 2015 will always be remembered in Buea. The day started well for most people, with everyone going about their activities, unaware of the roaming of the angel of death. Then, at about 11:00, news of the death of one of the town’s socialite and academic, Dr. Tiku Robert (a.k.a. Travo) would break the serenity of the day, jamming the mobile phone networks and causing general pandemonium.
    When the news of Travo’s demise first broke, no one wanted to be the bearer, so everyone wanted the other to check first, even those who were on the ground. I mean the disbelief was total. A mutual friend of ours first called me at 11:30. In fact, I had not seen her for about three years and was busy screaming long time no see and telling her where to me although I was in a meeting with my HOD, but she cut the discussion short and asked me if I had any news about Travo. Pretty unexpected, I smelled something foul and asked gently, “What happened to him”, suppressing the terror in me and forcefully sounding calm. For those who have been used to hearing these kinds of bad news, the bringers always have a similar way of framing their questions, so once you hear such questions you know at once that trouble has come to paradise. “Please, fine out what has happened to him, I don’t like what I’m hearing,” she added. I quickly stepped out and called his number, but it continued to sound busy for more than five minutes. Then, running out of patience, I called Dr. Nkongho (SYNES Chief for FSMS) and asked if there was any news. “Well, I don’t know how to put it”, he said, “we have just lost Travo… Dr. Tiku Robert”, sounding very distant. I still wasn’t sure, so I called Dr. James Abangma (SYNES President). As soon as he picked the phone, he unleashed the bomb, confirming that it was Travo’s wife herself who had told him a short while ago. Then it became obvious that we had lost a silent star to monstrous death. That was when I called Gladys Mojoko back to confirm what she had. Naturally, we joined the frenzy me a few minutes ago.

    ‘Travo’, as he was fondly called, was a tall, dark, handsome and straight walking gentleman, with a shy smile and firm handshake. Always tidy and neatly shaven, his tie firmly knotted with his shirt evenly tucked in. he had a very executive disposition, but was very friendly compassionate. He believed in the teachers’ struggle and strictly adhered to the principles of unionism. He was a lecturer in the Department of Geography and was greatly loved by his students.
    What is most shocking about his death is that no one expected it to turn out that way when he checked into hospital a few fays earlier. Those who spoke with him said he complained of malaria, but everyone wonders if malaria still kills adults that easily. He had been around the week before, taking an active part in the preparation of second semester results, so everyone was taken aback when it turned out that the last minute running’s up down before the presentation of results will be the last he would ever make.
    Travo’s corpse was immediately moved to the morgue of the General Hospital Annex Buea where a bewildered crowd of friends, colleagues and relatives was waiting.
    In their anguish and pain, the mourning crown began to boil until a dry-eyed woman who was standing there in a net top and brownish weave on, described as a ‘mammy water’ was almost lynched. Some less angry persons quickly whisked her away.
    Dr. Tiku Robert will be greatly missed by the University of Buea in general, particularly his colleagues in the Department of Geography, his friends, the Teachers’ Union (which he ardently supported and upheld), and his students. He was gentle, well-bred and temperate; in short, he was a fine fellow. Adieu ‘Travo!