Presidential condolences saluted Senator Nkwain’s committed services to the nation.
Njinikom, the land of his ancestors became too small on November 15, 2014, when thousands of mourners filed out to pay tribute to Senator Bochong Francis Nkwain, the illustrious son of Boyo Division and Cameroon, career diplomat, politician, minister, traditionalist and Christian who passed onto eternity on October 19, 2014.
It was the nation out to honour a patriarch and patriot with the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang, in the chair as the Personal Representative of President Paul Biya. Late Bochong Francis Nkwain was a frontline CPDM militant and the party’s Secretary General of the Central Committee, Jean Kuete and the Representative of the President of the Senate, Peter Mafany Musonge, were also around. North West Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, cabinet ministers, Senators, MPs, elite etc, were conspicuous with tributes for a man remembered for showcasing 84 years of a hardworking life, optimism, self-confidence, diplomacy and above all, faith and the fear of God.
Senator Bochong Francis Nkwain was a true patriot, a statesman par excellence and a man with an emotional attachment to his Kom fondom. The condolence message from the Presidential couple saluted Bochong Nkwain’s commitment and availability for service to the nation and the ruling CPDM. The message acknowledged that his demise was a great loss to Parliament and Cameroon. Jean Kuete said Senator Nkwain excelled with a self-imposing voice that counted in appeasement, unity and development. Senator Peter Mafany Musonge on his part said the death was a great loss for one who offered experience and class to the nation’s pioneer Senate.
The funeral in Njinikom started with a High Mass during which His Lordship Bishop George Nkuo cheered Francis Nkwain as a dedicated catholic Christian who served the nation with honour and retention. He said politics is a path to holiness and urged politicians to be selfless. The burial was summed up in a high mass, official honours, song and dance for a great son and eulogies. The Fon of Kom appealed to President Biya to reconnect his fondom with the government after the loss of Bochong Francis Nkwain.
