Professor Peter Agbor Tabi represented the Head of State yesterday during a memorial service in Kumba for Chief Tatah Okiah Namata Elangwe.

In a strictly religious ceremony at the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Mile One Kumba; Chief Tatah Okiah Namata Elangwe was given befitting honours by the State and praised for his tireless initiatives as a traditional leader, politician and family head by the clergy.

In a Thanksgiving Memorial Service, President Paul Biya's personal representative Professor Peter Agbor Tabi, Minister, Deputy Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, conveyed the grief of the Presidential couple following the death of the CDC Board Chairman on March 5, 2014 in Douala.

The condolence message hails him as one of the architects of Cameroon's re-unification endowed with wisdom, patriotism and who has rendered innumerable services to the nation."The South West has lost an important personality who was a man of compromise; a man of truth; a pillar in the South West," Professor Peter Agbor Tabi said.

The officiating pastoral entourage and the Chairman of the PCC Mile One Kumba Presbytery Church prayed that God should open the gates of heaven to receive Chief Tatah Okiah Namata Elangwe who was not only an active Christian in the congregation, but contributed generously to complete the church building. The paramount ruler of the Bakundus, they revealed, was always the chief launcher during Harvest Thanksgiving and other church activities.

In a sermon spiced with quotations, The Very Rev Dr. Nyansako-Ni-Nku, drawing inspiration from 1st Thessalonians Verse 4, Chapter 15 - 18, harped on Easter and the resurrection of Christ which are topics that always evoke passionate debates. He preached reconciliation and noted that the resurrection is a significant testimony that good is stronger than evil; and good will always triumphs over evil. "The dead will rise again and be with God just as Jesus did. Jesus is on the throne and Satan is in flight."

The man of God called on Christians to reconsider their ways and be ready to meet the Almighty at any time. He frowned at non-biblical factors that have torn churches apart and the cruelty of power that makes some people to entertain a culture without religion. The chief
celebrant, The Very Rev Dr. Nyansako-Ni-Nku did not only extend gratitude to the Head of State but stressed that the "presence of his personal representative signifies the humane nature of President Paul Biya."

During prayers of Intercession in the presence of local officials, traditional dignitaries, politicians and the General Manager of the CDC Mr. Franklin Ngoni Njie, the officiating ministers prayed for unity and love to reign as the bereaved family goes through this period of grief.