The Eye Newspaper: Thousands Pay Last Homage to Makfu Magdalene Njuh Ngayi The The Last Matriarch of Bondudu (PhotoNews)

Makfu Magdalene Njuh Ngayi, who passed unto eternity on July 29, 2015 at about 5:40 am, has been laid to eternal rest in Tabenken at the Catholic Church Cemetery. Preaching during the funeral mass, the officiating Reverend Fathers while drawing inspiration from the Book of Isaiah 25:6-9 and letter of St. Paul to the Romans told mourners that “The Lord will destroy death forever and “with God on your side, who can be against us” and “since God did not spare his own son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give”.

At 110 years, Makfu Magdalene Njuh Ngayi, was the oldest of the Bondudu family (Biyabi quarter) of Tabenken. Given her social interaction, commitment in the Word of God, thousands stormed the Tabenken Catholic Church to pay their last respect to the one who controlled and headed one of the largest families. August 15 was gray and blustery as steady stream of family luminaries turned out from far and near, some by limousine, others by okada. Yet they all arrived safely to say adieu to Makfu. The Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard, the Divisional Officer for Nkambe, Abdou Abdouraman, Hon. Banadzem, Hon. Njong Evaristus, Hon. Esther Ngala, Hon. Yoyo, Bunyui Emmanuel-Mayor of Ndu, Martin Fon Yembe-1^st Deputy mayor of Ndu, were amongst the VIPs buried in the crowd of mourners.

All those who knew Makfu Magdalene Njuh Ngayi, were there but not only for a moment— had it almost seemed that Makfu had been reborn. The truth, though, is that she was a woman of the people reasons why all those who matter came to say a final goodbye. From the eulogies presented by close family members, nothing would spare one to understand how useful Makfu Magdalene Njuh Ngayi, was. The plead to the Almighty God in the bidding prayers by Makfu grandsons and daughters was that “the soul of late Makfu Magdalene Njuh Ngayi, that God may be merciful in judging her by granting her eternal rest in his heavenly kingdom” and that“for the Ngayi’s and Gwei’s families” God should give them comfort.

Mary Awudu says, "Mother passed away peacefully.”She had a long and extraordinary life, and we loved her deeply. She was the most beautiful rose of all." To many of course, Makfu Magdalene Njuh was also the queen mother of wisdom, the founder of a dynasty that had known giddy triumph. With her late husband Pa Catechist Ngayi aka Pa Teacher Simon they had raised a boisterous "lovely" family. She lived to see her son In-law Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian climb the ladder of fame brilliantly (Taah Kwee), seen right down to her great grand children and watched her daughter (Mary Awudu) risen to fabulous public speaker. That life began in 1915, a few months after the end of the World War. Born into a Christian family, Makfu was formidable women says Cajetan. During her life the values that were stressed were family hood. Meanwhile, Makfu, who could be described as a strict disciplinarian, took charge of the family after the demise of the husband. "Makfu knew this day was coming, "but she did not dread it. She accepted and even welcomed it—not as a leaving, but as a returning. She has gone to God. And at this moment she is happily presiding at a heavenly table with her husband. She is home”, says Gwei Peter Ngayi, Police Inspector.

Her last daughter, Ngayi Sama Celestine Mukwep says though she would miss her mother, “I still have the feelings that you will continue to guide and protect us”.