Long time serving CPDM Political bureau member, who before passing away was the honorary member of the Central Committee of the same party, Hon. Samuel Ngeh Tamfu was laid to rest in his native Taku village of Donga Mantung Division in North West Cameroon on April 28, 2012. The political tactician and frontline crusader of national unity died on March 28, 2012.

The hallmark of the funeral service was a message from President Paul Biya who recognised late S.N Tamfu as a CPDM icon who stood by the ruling party and was exemplary in promoting a one and indivisible nation. President Biya dispatched the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, René Emmanuel Sadi as his personal representative to Taku to post humously decorate late S.N Tamfu with a Medal of the Cameroon National Order of Valour in recognition of his services to the nation. Also around to pay tribute was a CPDM Central Committee delegation led by Hon. Ndongo Essomba who doubles as the CPDM Parliamentary Group Leader. It was a rare moment to salute the one whom CPDM supporters acknowledge was a driving force and an encouragement.

In an ecumenical service, Rev. Dr Philemon Nfor exhorted God’s people to practise politics that serves mankind and not politics of self. In effect, late S.N Tamfu’s political career spanned over 53 years.

Dr Fuh Calistus Gentry, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Mines, Industries and Technological Development who led a delegation of Donga Mantung elite to the funeral, sounds off about late S. N. Tamfu who according to him was good material for nation building. Dr Fuh Calistus remembers that late S.N Tamfu was a steadfast CPDM supporter.

Another son of the Division, Shey Jones Yembe said ‘Pa Tamfu’ was different because as an emblematic figure in the North West Region, he was active in politics since the late 50s and he was also an active participant in the historic transformation and evolution of Cameroon and its institutions from the struggle for independence through independence to reunification. Away from Shey Jones, Simon F Tamfu from Taku village remembers late S.N Tamfu’s 53 years of politics during which he emerged as an outstanding CPDM supporter with magic solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems, while Dr Vincent Tanya still from Donga Mantung described late S.N Tamfu as a political icon with uncommon political skills, dedication and uncommon frankness.