Nkemnji–Achenjang ~1919-2005 Bio-Sketch
Pa Ben Achenjang Nkemnji was born about 1919 at Atuteng, Fontem into the family of Mbe Nkemnji Fonjia and O’Belanka Nkemnji. He grew up at Atuteng until the age of 18 when he left for Buea.
He lived in Buea in the early 1930s with Police Officer Dominic Nkenglefac who later succeeded Chief Fobellah Nyochembeng I and was crowned as Chief Fobellah Nkeng (RIP, 1997). Curiously he took care of "baby Nyochembeng", now HRH Rtd Colonel Chief Fobellah Nyochembeng II; while living in Buea. In 1935 Pa’s mother died and he returned from Buea to Atuteng, Fontem. Later he re-settled at Azi, and took up tailoring.
Between 1935 and 1940, Pa made several business trips to Calabar, Nigeria in the company of Pa Augusi Aminawung, his half elder brother and cousisn Pa Peter Nkemzisuh of Fonge. He traveled far and near in Cameroon, visiting seven of the ten provinces in the Republic. Additionally, he made an extensive vacation and pleasure trip to Europe and the USA from 6 September to 29 December 1999.
Pa Nkemnji was married in 1945 to Agnes Efuetlateh of Pa Nicholas Mbapndah (RIP 22 Feb. 1988) and Ma Emilia Azoacha (RIP 7 Sept. 1991). Following his marriage and the birth of their first child, Pa left Azi for Mile 29 (Muyuka) to work for the Cameroon Development Corporation, CDC.
In 1958, Pa left Mile 29, at his father’s request and returned to Fontem where he settled at Effembelah, Njenbetui and resumed tailoring.
Pa fell seriously sick, diagnosed with yellow fever, and remained bedridden for several months in 1960. He was baptized into the catholic faith in 1960. His father, Pa Nkemnji Fonjia died 18 August 1970. He succeeded his father in December 1971 following the death celebration and formally “resettled” from Atuteng to Effembellah where he lived till his death. In 2003, Pa undertook the Rite of Adult Christian Initiation at the catholic Missions, Tiko to 16 October and later renewed marriage vows in the Catholic Church Belleuh on 28 December.
He was called to rest by the Almighty on Sunday, Aseih 30 January 2005. Pa Nkemnji Achenjang is survived by his wife, seven children, and many grand children, extended family, friends and in-laws. The Nkemnji Achenjang Foundation, NAF, is launched with the intention that through its activities we can all keep alive Pa’s legacy of loving, caring, advocacy and stewardship.
Pa ever submitted his difficulties, perplexities and disappointments to the Lord. He was never embittered nor surprise at the ordeals that came to test him. He remained a symbol of peace and hospitality beyond measure; all smiles and humorous even when trivialities were elevated to priorities. We recall his habitual statement, ebunse’eh; dad never sat around in self-pity and treated everyone (friend, elder, the young, male, female, the rich or poor…) with respect, although some may not have deserved it. Pa was a rare gem and his load on this earth never broke him down because of the way he carried it. We are inspired by his examples to always get better rather than bitter!!!