President Paul Biya was represented by the Minister, Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency, Martin Belinga Eboutou, at last Saturday’s burial in Nkol-Ndobo of the personal physician to the presidential family.Thousands of mourners on Saturday, May 16, 2015,

 thronged the little village of Nkol-Ndobo via Koudandeng, about 30 km from Yaounde in Obala Subdivision, Lekie Division of the Centre Region to lay to rest Dr Andela Assomo Damien. Aged 70, the paediatrician and personal physician to the presidential family passed on April 20, 2015 in Yaounde after a long battle with blood cancer. Representing President Paul Biya at the obsequies was the Minister, Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency, Martin Belinga Eboutou.

In his sermon from John chapter 16, the Catholic Bishop of Obala, His Lordship Sosthene Léopold Bayemi Matjei, reminded the crowd that without Jesus in their lives, they cannot do anything. While urging them to be open to the gospel, Bishop Bayemi noted that the reason for man’s relationship with God is to be happy and enjoy perfect joy.  Reading out a message by elite of Lekie Division, André Tsalla Messi, the Mayor of Monatélé, praised the late medic for his services to humanity and availability throughout his life. He described Dr Andela as a man who was always ready to help for the general good. Tsalla Messi thanked President Paul Biya and wife, Chantal Biya for allowing Andela to be their personal family physician, taking care of him during his sickness and participating in his funeral arrangements.

In the eulogies that followed, Liza Kobla Andela, the late medical doctor’s oldest daughter, described him as fatherly, sacrificial, simple and always ready to assist the needy. Andela’s brother-in-law, Barrister Tsanga Athanase, said he was a good doctor who carried out his work thoroughly and brought much development to his community. The Essélé family head, Olinga Menouna Tobie, said Dr Andela Assomo was very modest, always taking the back role, though very strict. He commended the presidential couple for its support and assistance during the sickness and after the doctor’s death. Speaking earlier, a member of the Divisional Funeral Support Committee, Henri Eyebe Ayissi, who is also Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of State Control, said Lekie Division was all thanks to the President for entrusting the health of his family to Dr Andela Assomo. He said the Head of State did everything to save his life, unfortunately, Dr Andela ended up dying.

President Biya’s condolence message to Mrs. Andela Thérèse was read by the Senior Divisional Officer for Lekie, Simon Kamsu Patrick, after which the Minister, Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency, Martin Belinga Eboutou, proceeded to decorate the remains of Dr Andela Assomo Damien on behalf of the Head of State with the medal of Officer of the National Order of Valour. The event began with ‘nsili awu’ traditional funeral rites before Bishop Sosthene Léopold Bayemi Matjei took to the rostrum.

Born on April 5, 1945, Andela read medicine in France where he also specialized in pediatrics before returning home in 1981. In addition to being the presidential family’s personal physician, he served in various positions at the Yaounde Central Hospital and what is today known as the Chantal Biya Foundation before going on retirement. He leaves behind 13 children, 9 grand-children and three widows. Present at last weekend’s burial were the Governor of the Centre Region, Joseph Otto Wilson, several cabinet ministers, local and national dignitaries.