Grief and solidarity filled Ekambeng village, Bangem Subdivision, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as hundreds of mourners joined the Paymaster General, Treasurer of the South West Regional Assembly, Ewane Clifford Ngabe, to lay his mother, Mama Ewane Monica Emade, 76, to rest.
The funeral brought Bangem and Ekambeng to a standstill as family members, administrative authorities, traditional rulers, and well-wishers turned out in their numbers to bid farewell to the matriarch and comfort the bereaved Regional Assembly Treasurer.
At the funeral Mass at Ave Maria Catholic Church, Bangem, Rev. Father Roland Ewantoko read from John 11:1-44 and preached from the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
He said the story shows that emotions run high at death, as seen when Jesus wept upon hearing of Lazarus’ death.
Father Ewantoko told mourners that although the family grieves Mama Emade’s passing, they should not mourn like those without hope, but consider the legacy she left behind at 76.
Quoting John 11:25-26, he reminded Christians that Jesus has power over death. “Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’”
The priest added that life after death depends on how one lives on earth. “It is certain that we shall all die, though the time is unknown. What account shall you give about your life on earth?” he asked.
Father Ewantoko prayed for the repose of Mama Emade’s soul and for strength for those she left behind.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ewane Clifford thanked state personalities, administrators, colleagues, collaborators, friends, and family members for their financial and emotional support that enabled them to give their mother a befitting burial.
In his eulogy, Ngabe described his late mother as a wonderful woman, deeply concerned and emotional about her children. “You have departed from this world to your Creator to rest forever, but know that your legacy will live on,” he said.
Biography
Late Mama Emade was born in 1950 in Mbat village, Bangem. She married the late Pa Ewane George Njume and they were blessed with ten children.
Mama Emade belonged to many social groups in Ekambeng and Bangem, and once served as President of the Ekambeng Women’s Group. A devoted CPDM militant, she was the pioneer President of the women’s wing, WCPDM, in the former Nhia Clan from its creation in 1985 to 2000, serving three mandates.
She was a Knight of the Cameroon Order of Merit, a distinction awarded by the State for her political commitment and local development initiatives.
She leaves behind ten children, two stepsisters, one stepbrother, twenty-nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends to mourn her.
Present at the ceremony were the Senior Divisional Officer for Kupe Muanenguba, Nguia Beina Theophile; the Divisional Officers for Bangem and Obala Subdivisions; the President of the South West Regional Assembly; the Treasurers and Paymasters General of the South West and East Regions, among other dignitaries.
By Ngoh Jude Larissa-Dian
