John Fru Ndi’s body was placed at the Yaounde Multipurpose Sport Complex, July 27, 2023 where green wreaths glistened. People filed in, paying homage to the defunct SDF Chairman who stayed on political opposition in Cameroon above thirty years. The funeral ceremony in Yaounde was part in a series of funeral services organised to bid him farewell before burial.
Jean Nkuete, Secretary General at the CPDM Central Committee represented President Paul Biya. Also present were people from other political parties, family, friends and well-wishers.
The moment of tribute was marked by an ecumenical service for the repose of his soul, officiated by pastors from the Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist and Orthodox Church plus Muslim imams. Eulogies poured out from different personalities who remembered his lifetime.
When Fonki Samuel Forba, moderator of the Presbyterian church preached during the ecumenism, he described the late SDF official as a man who was highly regarded in Africa and the world, made footprints in multiparty democracy, upheld love for country, national ethics and morality. The Moderator saluted him as one who fought the fight of faith, was eloquent and resisted oppressive forces.
“His Excellency Ni John Fru Ndi would be remembered for his refusal to declare war after the proclamation of the1992 presidential elections results. Like Gudluck Ebele Jonathan the former president of Nigeria declared that his political ambition was not more important than the blood of Cameroonians. That year, Cameroon was saved from a blood bath… the question now is, who would inject a new energy and charisma to politics like Fru Ndi did”
The Most Reverend Jean Mbarga, Archbishop of Yaounde, described Fru Ndi as Cameroon’s visionary who fought for justice and peace, worked for unity and progress in Cameroon, fostered democracy and social justice. “A man who taught about peace not war” a man who saw “brothers and sisters not enemies” and fought for country against individualism.
Honourable Joshua Osih, First Vice Chair at the SDF in his posthumous tribute, recognised Fru Ndi as one who was selfless, gave a voice to the people by sacrificing thirty years at the helm of the nation through his party “Mr Chairman, you came into this world, baptised as Ni John Fru Ndi. You are now leaving this world blessed with many other honorific names, but most of all, the name Ni John Fru Ndi resonates courage, hope, freedom, justice and above all, peace” the Vice Chair said “As with Moses, he never got to the promise land, we owe him a promise that we shall get to that promise land” Honourable Osih added.
Rev Father Humphrey Tata Mbuiy, Vice Secretary of the National Communication Council praised late John Fru Ndi as a man of fidelity, respect and unity who kept striving for a prosperous Cameroon, adding that he was nice, dedicated and full of integrity that made him almost incorruptible.
The family of Fru Ndi recalled him as a father, a farmer, a humorist and a hard worker.
The funeral ceremony at the Yaounde Multipurpose Sport Complex lasted till dawn, animated by traditional dance and choralesinging. His corpse has been conveyed to the Northwest Region where he would be honoured before burial.
Born on July 7, 1941, Fru Ndi was the founder of the SDF opposition party, since 1990. He was announced dead, on 12 June 2023.
By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
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