Befitting funeral for an exemplar of simplicity:

Tombel fetes the joyful departure of Pa Daniel N.Elung

The funeral on Saturday 23 December 2017, of Pa Daniel Ndung Elung (Sango Dan Ndung), father of Minister Delegate to the MINFI, Elung Paul Che, will be remembered for many years to come as the funeral that pulled the biggest crowds ever in cosmopolitan Tombel

By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Tombel

Minister Elung Paul and his brothers carrying their father’s remains to its final resting place in Tombel

Thousands of people from far and near converged in Tombel on Saturday 23 December 2017 to join the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Finance, Elung Paul Che and his siblings in celebrating the joyful departure to the world beyond of their father and grandfather, Papa Daniel Ndung Elung (Sango Dan Ndung), who slept in the Lord on 3 December 2017.

                The mourners came in their numbers despite the charged itineraries that people are understood to have in the build up to Christmas on 25 December.

                The Mortuary of the Bonassama District Hospital in Douala was crowded with mourners as early as 5.30 a.m on Saturday morning, as the remains of Pa Daniel Elung had to be coffined at 6.00 a.m.

                The Minister of Special Duties, Victor Mengot, his counterpart of Secondary Education, Ngalle Mesina Bibehe and the SG of MINEPAT, Jean Choffo, all made sure they were at the Mortuary in time to show solidarity with their colleague in government, Elung Paul, who had to transport the remains of his father for burial in his native Tombel, situated some 150km from Douala via Loum. 

                When the long motorcade that escorted the hearse bearing Pa Elung’s remains arrived in Tombel at about 10a.m, the decor was already planted for a befitting funeral.

                The funeral Mass was to follow soon afterwards at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Tombel. But this was not before the mourners were treated to a sumptuous breakfast at the cozy residence of Minister Elung Paul.

                Presiding at the funeral mass, the Bishop of the Kumba Diocese, Mgr. Agapatus, reminded mourners that death was the natural route for all God’s children. He said as for Pa Daniel Elung, he has lived a complete circle on earth and it was God’s chosen time for him to depart.

                The Bishop asked the mourners to remember St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy in which he stated inter alia: “As for me, my life is already being poured as libation, and the time has come for me to depart…I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith. All there is to come for me now is the crown of uprightness which the Lord, the upright judge, will give to me on that day…..”

                The funeral mass was followed by eulogies from Francis Elung and Paul Elung, two of the eight sons that Pa Daniel Elung had with the only woman he tied the nuptial knot with, Mama Mary Ngum Elung, who had preceded her husband to the world beyond seven years ago, in 2010.

                The eulogies by the Elung sons were pregnant with anecdotes of the lessons of honesty, humility, uprightness, trust in God and hard work that Pa Daniel Elung had imparted to his children. 

                Commentators in Church said they could now understand why despite their individual and collective successes, Pa Elung’s children have elected to remain humble, self-effacing and down to earth.                            Many said the children certainly learned from their dad and mentor, who though living in the midst of plenty, and despite the successes of his children, still chose to lead a simple, down to earth life, in his native Tombel.

                At the end of the funeral mass, the casket bearing Sango Dan Ndung was lifted out of the Church by his sons, led by the mascot of the family, Minister Elung Paul Che.

                Burial followed later at the Elung’s family compound in Tombel.

                This paved the way for the start of the celebration proper of the life of Pa Daniel Ndung Elung. And there was much to eat and drink in all the quarters of Tombel town. There was also more than enough at Pa Elung’s family compound for those who chose to celebrate there.

                But the centre of action was at the expansive courtyard of Minister Elung’s sumptuous and cozy residence situated just a stone’s throw from the family compound. Here the dignitaries and other guests from far and wide were treated to sumptious lunch and with exquisite wines for easy digestion.

                And mourners could dance to the music that emanated from the live band that animated the event.

                Among the many dignitaries present at the funeral were Minister Victor Mengot and his wife Bernice, Minister Ngole Philip Ngwese, the SG of Minepat Jean Tchoffo, Dr. Mrs Diane Acha-Morfaw, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle, Sen. Mbella Moki Charles, Sen. Otte Andrew Mofa, Hon. Joshua Osih, Mama Jean Kuete, GM Okie Johnson and his wife, Ekoko Mukete of Spectrum, Prof. Simon Munzu, Ambassador Ekaney, Justice Batuo Paul, MPs, Mayors, GMs, Directors, Chiefs and many more.

                Worthy to mention that despite the huge turn out and despite the ongoing social unrest in the country, the two-day celebration of Pa Daniel Ndung Elung’s life on Friday and Saturday in Tombel, recorded any incident.

                Go Well Sango Dan Ndung!

It was a crowd puller funeral

 -Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle

                What is it that touched you most in the funeral of Minister Elung Paul’s father?

                Many things touched me positively about this very grand funeral which was worth attending. Firstly, the Bishop’s homily was very rich in content. The Bishop did not only reminisce on the character traits of the man whose life we are celebrating but he identified a plethora of qualities that Pa Elung impacted on his children: humility, hard work, honesty, spirituality, faithfulness, patriotism and the fear of the Lord.

                I was greatly-touched when the Bishop in his homily mentioned Matthew 7:12. It pricked me because that is one of my most compelling Verses in the Bible.  It says: Do unto others what you will want them to do unto you”.         

                Another thing that touched me was Minister Elung Paul’s eulogy. It is very rare to see children who follow religiously what their parents teach them. It was heart-warming to hear Minister Elung recount publicly the humble beginnings of their father.

                For a man who started as a motor-boy and then as a trucker, and who never had any formal education, to give all his ten children University education and also ensure that his children become successful men in society is not only commendable but pace-setting. 

                For a Bakossi man to have defied the wrath of his native tradition and got married to a woman from the North West Region; even against the wishes of his siblings, was a sign of true love.

                As for Minister Elung Paul, since I knew him over twenty years ago, he has been emblematic, monumental and phenomenal as far as love, humility, hard work, nobility and integrity are concerned. He is a special breed who epitomizes humility and integrity.

                Without exaggeration, Elung Paul is a model for hard work, intelligence, love, kindness, peace, patriotism and all the fruits of the Holy Spirit. He is down to earth, and this, in spite of the position he holds in society. To cut it short, Elung is an illustrious son of this nation and I am very proud to have known him.

                It was no surprise therefore that the funeral was a crowd puller. You could see the smiles on peoples’ faces. The crowd was enormous and the funeral eventful.

                All these only give credence to the fact that Pa Daniel Elung was a great man. I pray and hope that all his children follow in his foot prints.