The Eye Newspaper: At Senator Jikong’s Burial: Son Expresses Father’s Wish; Questions Whether Nwa is Part of Cameroon or Not

Pastor Joseph Jikong: The People's Advocate

Pastor Joseph Jikong while addressing the population at the funeral of his father, HRH Senator Jikong Stephen Yeriwa said the father had wished to disenclave Nwa, build the weak human resource through education. “His arrogance to us at home was school and book work. That is the legacy he has left and we will continue with it”, he told mourners. He said every time the father visited them in the USA, he would talk very passionately about his wish to disenclave Nwa. He wondered what has been the issue that since 1963, Nwa has not been granted its wish, that of becoming a full flesh Division. In tears, Pastor Joseph Jikong expressed disappointment that the father died without accomplishing such a vision for his people. Implicitly, the Pastor was telling government that for his father to be happy where he is, Nwa should be granted a full flesh Division. Joseph Jikong went further to question whether Nwa is part of this country or not due to the fact that it has been abandoned.

His statement though factual, was a bitter pile to the politicians, CPDM and the government; but the over 15 thousand man crowd cheered him up for speaking the truth.

In his eulogies, the head of Donga Mantung elite, cum Secretary of State for Mines, Industries and Technological Development, Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry said the demise of Senator Jikong was a great lost, to the nation and humanity. “Today, Donga Mantung has witnessed another transition” given that Senator Jikong was special elite, he continued. According to Minister Fuh Calistus who worked some of them onto the ladder of politics due to his political bravery and the soft spot he had for education. “He brought me to the political stage in my own constituency”. HRH Senator Jikong, he added had the sound academic background, experience that it would be difficult for the gab created to be filled. Harping on his achievements, Dr. Fuh Calistus said that the people of Nwa should be proud of their departed son. “He was the best senatorial material Donga Mantung could offer and he left a mark of greatness”, Dr. Fuh Calistus concluded, while calling on mourners, friends to pray for the family at this point.

The representative of the Central Committee of the CPDM, Ma Regina Mundi before presenting a message from the Secretary General of the party described the departed hero as a committed militant who had distinguished himself nationwide. In his message, Jean Nkwete, CPDM SG, described Senator Jikong as a loyalist of the party and a man who had outstanding records everywhere he served. According to Jean Nkwete, Senator Jikong won the admiration of the chairman of the CPDM, Paul Biya given his legendary love for the fatherland. Talking to this reporter, Regina Mundi said that Senator Jikong contributed enormously to the growth of the CPDM given that he was charge du mission of the Central Committee to the North West for many years. He was an elected member of the Central Committee of the CPDM.

Senator Achidi Achu Simon, who represented the President of the senate cried out the death, is cruel. “How can dead do this to us”? Achidi Achu went down memory length to recall their early days at CPC Bali. He said the senate has lost a great mind, patriot and philanthropist.

Pastor Philemon in his sermon said that Senator Jikong though a traditional ruler lived a full Christian life and in conformity with the will of God.

Who Is Senator Jikong Stephen

Born on February 2, 1945 at Jator in Nwa in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region, he later got married to Christina. He attended the Cameroon Baptist Mission Primary school in Mbem from 1953 to 1960 where he obtained the FSLC in flying colours. The quest for more knowledge took him to CPC Bali where he obtained 09 papers at the Ordinary Level in 1965. He was recruited into the Public service and posted to teach English at Government Secondary School Bangante. While teaching English to Francophones, he was also studying and in 1969, he obtained the GCE Advanced Level in 3 papers. He registered at the Federal University of Cameroon-Yaounde where he did combined French and English Degree which he obtained in 1973 and a postgraduate Diploma in 1974. He was recruited to teach English in the Federal University while at the same time pursuing studies until he obtained the Doctorat de 3eme cycle in 1979 and the Doctorat d’Etat es letters in 1995.

Posts of Responsibility

From 1991-1992, he was head of service for National Scholarship, Ministry of Higher Education and from 1992-1995, he was Secretary General in the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms. He was appointed Technical Adviser in the Prime Ministry in charge of Culture, Communication, Youth Affairs and sports from 1998-2011.

From 1996-2002, Senator Jikong was Chairman of the Tender Board of SONARA and from 2000-2004, he also served Member of the Board of Directors of ENAM. From 2002-2011, Member of the Board of Directors of the School of Sports-CENAJES and he was also Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCDP from 2007-2011 as well as Member of the Board of Directors of CRTV from 2007-2013 before he was elected senator for Donga Mantung Division.