Asabaton Fontem, 25, an ex-student of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Collge, Fontem, and a graduate from the University of Buea, was, Friday May 9, ‘selected’ as the New Fon of Fontem in Lebialem Division.

The traditional coronation ceremony took place at the Azi Palace, seat of the traditional institution of Fontem, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, in the presence of Southwest Governor, Benard Okalia Bilai, members of Parliament, SDO for Lebialem, and others.

The long awaited smoke, like it happens during the designation of a new Roman Catholic Pope, billowed from the mountains of Fontem signaling that the Fon of Fontem is back on the throne. This follows several weeks of deadlock after the ‘disappearance’ of the Fon Senator Lucas Njifua Fontem on April 2, 2014, which has remained an extraordinary day for the Fontem people and Lebialem in general. In his address, the President of the Lebialem Chiefs Conference, Chief Foreke of Essoh Attah, recounted the good works of Fon Senator Njifua Fontem and asked the Lebialem people and visitors to continue to pray for him and the new Fon.

Fon Chafah of Bangolang, on behalf of the National Council of Traditional Leaders, told the Lebialem people that Fon Fontem Njifua was his elder and at the same time, his adviser. He, however, reassured Fontem people that he is going to pass the fatherly advice Fon Njifua used to give him to his son who is the new Fon. He went further to assure the new Fon that his name is already registered among Cameroon Fons.

On his part, Senator Achidi Achu, on behalf of Senators, expressed condolence to the Fon’s family and assured them that they are there for them in case of any difficulty. Fon Fontem Njifua, to him, was a very good friend and patriot. HRH Fua Nkengateh (Dr. Boniface Nkonbena Fontem), on behalf of the family, thanked all those who contributed in one way or the other in making the occasion a success. He equally told the population that Fon Fontem Njifua was a genius by all standards and these virtues were evident in all his actions.

“He was very learned but very humble, placing the interest of others before his, especially Lebialem and Cameroon,” said Dr Nkobena. The speeches were crowned with the Head of State’s message read by the SDO for Lebialem and the decoration of the late Fon by Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi.

Minister Sadi told The Post in an interview that he knew Fon Senator Njifua Fontem since his days as the Secretary General of the CPDM. He said Fon Fontem Njifua was a patriot, a very open man and he contributed a lot in nation building.

Ebang Salle, one of the teachers of the new Fon during his days in Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College Fontem told The Post that the new Fon is a square peg in a square hole. According to him, he is the right person to succeed his father because, as a teacher, he knew him very well for his years in secondary school. Apart from his brilliant academic performance, he is also a good and humble person.