Tribute to Statesman Dr. Solomon Nfor Gwei: One of the Architects of Reunification

Dr. Solomon Nfor Gwei

The old Nkambe Division played a very vital role during the 1961 Plebiscite that led to reunification. One of the key actors that worked very hard in the North West Region was no other person than Dr. Solomon Nfor Gwei. He was a frontliner that saw no reason why the then Southern Cameroons should gain its independence by joining the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Born on August 22 1935 in Ntumbaw, Nkambe, North West Province, Dr Nfor Gwei received education from Cameroon Protestant College from where he graduated in 1956 with a secondary school leaving certificate. He then moved on to the Baptist Theological Seminary in Louiseville (USA), where he studied from 1958 to 1961. He also studied Theology in Ogbomosho, Nigeria where he obtained a Bachelors degree in the discipline. 

Dr. for Gwei returned home and worked in the pastoral ministry before taking off once more for further studies in 1964 in Switzerland where he enrolled in the International Baptist Theological Seminary, Reshlikon in Zurich. His 2-years study programme in Switzerland earned him a Bachelor of Art degree in history. 

He later decided to study for a Master of Theology degree in Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, and USA. His quest for knowledge also led him the University of Michigan where he obtained a Master of Art in education in 1968 and a P.hD in education in 1969.

Dr. Nfor Gwei has served Cameroon in various capacities. He taught in the University of Yaounde and the Advanced School of Education in Bambili. In 1979 he was appointed Vice Minister of Agriculture. He also served as Secretary of State for Agriculture following the 24 August 1985 cabinet appointments. Prior to his death, Dr. Solomon Nfor Gwei was among those who was fighting for the reunification of Cameroon. He also occupied the post of Chairman of the Cameroon Human Rights and Freedoms Commission and that of the Secretary General of the Cameroon Chamber of Agriculture.

He was among those who worked hard for reunification to take place. He was the first President of the National Human Rights Commission. Born in the family of Gwei Muyoh and Gwei Libuh, Dr. Nfor Gwei rose from a pastor to a university don and later a statesman. This great son of Donga Mantung Division has remained in the minds of his people as the greatest philanthropists and a politician who had conscience and character. He died on June 30, 2002.

With inputs from camer.be 

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