Senator Nfor Tabetando's funeral: Minister Mengot rallies elite, Manyu indigenes worldwide to raise FCFA 13 million.

The amount, raised through the efforts of the Manyu political leader and torch-bearer, was handed to the family of the deceased monarch in Yaounde, on Monday, June 8, 2026. 

This was during a visit by a delegation of Manyu elite, to the residence of the deceased statesman. The delegation was led by Victor Mengot Arrey-Nkongho, as General Coordinator of the Organising Committee of the funeral. 

The visit to donate the financial support to the family, it should be said, followed a strategic planning meeting, which Mengot, who doubles as Minister of Special Duties at the Presidency, had chaired in Yaounde, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. 

The meeting, attended by members of Sub and Central Organising committees, was aimed at finalising preparation for the funeral of the Manyu elite. 

We also gathered that leading South West elite cum Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute, also paid a condolence visit to the residence of the deceased.

Dion Ngute was at the residence of the deceased on Monday, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. He used the visit to console the widow of the deceased and children. 

Mengot conveys condolence message to family 

Speaking to members of the late Tabetando family during the visit on behalf of the Manyu political elite at home and abroad, Minister Mengot once more extended the condolences of all and sundry to the family. 

“We have come today to assure you that in this moment of grief, you are not alone. The Manyu family stands with you in prayer, in solidarity, and in remembrance of a life that touched many,” he told family members. 

Mengot said the passing of Nfor Tabetando “is not only a loss to his immediate family and the people of Bachuo-Ntai, but also to Manyu Division, the South West Region, and our nation”.

He said the late Senator Nfor Tabetando “served his community and country in many capacities, and his contributions will remain part of the legacy he leaves behind”.

“As a modest expression of our sympathy and support, we are presenting to the family the voluntary contributions, raised by members of the Manyu political elite at home and abroad,” he said.

Mengot said though no material gift can compensate for the loss, political elite of Manyu “hope that this gesture reflects the affection, esteem, and solidarity that our people have for the late Senator and his family”. 

He prayed God Almighty to grant the soul of the deceased politician “eternal rest” and give the family the “strength, courage, and comfort to bear this great loss”.

All set for befitting funeral 

Under the general coordination of Minister Mengot, elite of Manyu Division have done their utmost to ensure the funeral of Senator Tabetando unfolds without any hitch. 

The assurances were given by Minister Mengot, while chairing a preparatory meeting over the weekend.

Speaking during the meeting, Mengot saluted the spirit of solidarity and unity that has been demonstrated by all and sundry throughout the preparation. 

He called on all and sundry to synergise efforts and liaise with the bereaved family for all to unfold as planned. 

The President of the Funeral Organising Committee, Prof Etchu George, had used the meeting to remind Manyu indigenes that they will be “judged by the level of mobilisation during the funeral”. 

Prof Etchu had assured over the weekend that all was 90% ready for the funeral across the four venues from Yaounde, to Douala, Mamfe and Bachuo-Ntai. 

Final journey begins today 

Nfor Tabetando’s final journey started yesterday with a wake at the Economic and Social Council in Yaounde. His remains will be removed from the mortuary of the Yaounde General Hospital today at 9 a.m. 

This will be followed by parliamentary honours, befitting of his status at the Economic and Social Council, from 11a.m. The corpse departs for Douala in the Littoral Region, later today. 

A wake has also been programmed at his Douala residence today evening. The deceased will be given judicial honours at the Court of Appeal in Bonanjo, Douala, tomorrow Friday, from 11a.m before departure to Bachuo-Ntai in the evening hours, where a mass will be celebrated.

The respected monarch and revered elite of Manyu, will be laid to rest in his native Bachuo-Ntai village on Saturday, June 13, 2026; after civil honours at the Mamfe Grandstand and mass at the Mamfe Cathedral. 

Brief about the deceased 

The Bachuo-Ntai King, it should be recalled, joined his ancestors on April 21, 2026, at the age of 76. He died at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital. 

The monarch had been on the throne for 49 years. The former President of the South West Chiefs Conference, SWECC, was in his third mandate at the Senate.

Born on October 29, 1950, in Bachou-Ntai, Nfor Tabetando rose to prominence in the business, legal profession and politics, touching the lives of compatriots from across the board.

He had a towering legal career that spanned over 50 years. Nfor Tabetando, as a lawyer, was the Founder of Equity Chambers in Douala in 1975. 

He was also one-time Vice President of the Cameroon National Forum of Traditional Rulers. The CPDM Central Committee member and the party’s former Senate Group Leader, was also the Founder and Executive Chairman of EurOil Limited.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3814 of Thursday June 11, 2026