Nation Gives Fru Ndi Befitting Exit To Eternity
By Peter Tasi
The nation has given the late National Chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF, party a befitting exit to the world beyond.
Fru Ndi was buried in his native Baba II village in Mezam Division on Saturday July 29. This was in the presence of dignitaries from across the nation and beyond.
The Secretary General of the Central Committee of the CPDM, Jean Nkuete, represented President Paul Biya at the state funeral. The ceremony in Baba II was a culmination of others in Yaounde, Bafoussam, Mbouda and Bamenda during which thousands paid their last respects to Fru Ndi.
He was posthumously raised to the rank of Grand Cordon of the Cameroon Order of Merit.
During the final rally in preparation for the interment, Rev. Dr. Fai Michael in a message drawn from Hebrews 9:24-28, titled: “where shall we spend our eternity?”, detailed the various types of deaths.
He talked of “physical death which a person ceases to exist on earth, spiritual death and eternal death where someone who dies and is separated from God”.
The man of God encouraged mourners to aim for eternity as they live on earth and do things not to miss God in their lifetime on earth as well as avoid aiming for gold on earth given that “when we seek gold, we miss God.”
The preacher said death should be seen as an invitation for all to mend themselves with God.
Cited scripture as indicating that loving for 70 years is the limit, stating that Fru Ndi lived beyond the mark, having his bonus years. He insisted that it is only by the Grace of God that we live each day.
He was described as one who had peace at all times at the back of his mind. Fru Ndi, the preacher said, brought about liberty among other initiatives and left legacy on earth.
Pastor Fai Michael told all and sundry to live an exemplary life as Ni John Fru did while living on earth as he balanced his busy political schedule with that of God as he took things of the church very serious.
Fru Ndi father of democracy
Eulogising the late statesman, the Secretary General of the SDF, Lord Adeline Djomgang described Ni John Fru Ndi as the father of democracy in Cameroon.
She encouraged all to continue fighting for a federal Cameroon which she says is the only way through which the nation can achieve meaningful growth.
Shepard Fru Ndi, son of the deceased said their father lived a complete life after honouring his wish to be buried in his native land in Baba II village.
The family made the villagers to know that the works left behind would be continued by the family and challenged them to be the guiders of the compound of the late Fru Ndi in Baba II village.
Hon. Osih Joshua, 1st Vice National President of the SDF insisted that they as socialists are proud of the legacy the late statesman was able to put in place.
Speaking on behalf of the party, he assured that the heavy legacy as concerns federal governance of power, truth and justice will be continued as well as the family would continue to have a place in the SDF party.
The condolence message from the Head of State, President Paul Biya as read by North West Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique. Biya described late Ni John Fru Ndi as a key patriot of the Republic of Cameroon, a message which left many spell bound owing to the officialisation of the burial sanctioned by a presidential decree.
The high point of the burial ceremony was the creation of the Fru Ndi memorial Foundation through which social justice, peace among others so as to keep the legacy of the great statesman ongoing was declared by the family.
Despite the ghost town imposed by separatist, thousands came out to honour Fru Ndi. A supporter of the SDF, Shey John said Fru Ndi was “the one who fought hard to bring about true democracy, freedom of expression among many other societal norms which we enjoy today in Cameroon”.
About Fru Ndi
Late Ni John Fru Ndi was a passionate farmer-rancher, astute businessman, family man, champion of freedoms, beacon of hope, peace crusader, social democrat, statesman, pan Africanist, soccer promoter and above all a leader.
Ni John Fru Ndi was born on July 7, 1941 and ventured into politics with the SDF party in 1990 where he took his political campaigns to the grassroots of the country 24 times in 33 years.
In his over 82 years life span, Ni John Fru Ndi fought many battles in his private and political life though losing some bit winning more and in death, his story is crowned as a celebrated father and friend to many, a mentor to generations to come, a community man, deeply rooted tradition and Christianity.
