The entire House paid homage to the Senator who died on April 2, 2014.

The closing plenary sitting of the Senate for the March 2014 ordinary session, yesterday, April 9, served to pay homage to Senator Fon Fontem Njifua, the traditional ruler of Fontem Village in the Lebialem Division of the South West Region who died in Yaounde on April 2. Senators wore their sages and also dressed in black mourning attire in memory of the Fon Fontem Njifua who was one of the three Questors of the House.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril and the Prime Minister Philemon Yang who led cabinet ministers to the plenary sitting listened to the President of the Senate, Marcel Niat Njifenji pay homage to the fallen Senator. Senator Fontem Njifua, the President said will forever be remembered as a multidimensional personality whose life was guided by the desire to serve and be useful. Niat Njifenji described the departed Senator as being calm, sociable, faithful to his political party the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, a courageous and talented politician and a republican at the service of the ideals of peace, freedom, tolerance and togetherness, values which  President Paul Biya stands for. Senator Fontem Njifua, the President said, knew that he was sick but remained positive in his reflection and determination to serve the Senate as well as maintained his simplicity and humility throughout.

Closing Speech

After paying homage to the departed Senator in the presence of some of  his family members, the Senate President delivered his closing speech in which he appreciated the work of the Senators during the March 2014 session of Parliament, stating that they demonstrated maturity and the collective determination to carry out their expected mission. He said that the Senate was gradually taking its place in supporting President Paul Biya in his task of consolidating national integration and democracy and participating in the accomplishment of the programme to make Cameroon an emerging country in 2035. The contribution of the Senate to nation-building was through the examination and adoption of seven bills. He mentioned diplomatic achievements such as the election of Martin Chungong as  the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the election of Senator Mbassa Ndine Roger as President of the Steering Committee to finalise the putting in place of the Network of African Parliamentarians  for the Evaluation of Development.