The late emeritus Biochemistry University lecturer was lowered into his grave in Belluh-Lebang Fontem after a solemn funeral mass by the Bishop of Mamfe Diocese.

It was about 2pm last Saturday, 23 July, 2016 when the remains of the vocal and prolific socio-political critic were lowered into the grave at the cemetery of the Roman Catholic Mission Parish Belleuh-Lebang Fontem. Professor Tazoacha Asonganyi died last 3 July, 2016 in Yaounde after an ailing episode.  

Hundreds of mourners came from Cameroon and abroad to bid farewell to the late 67-year-old man who had been Secretary General of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), Cameroon’s leading opposition party, from 1994 to 2005. Among the personalities who braved the deplorable road to Fontem were the SDF National Chairman, John Fru Ndi, the former vibrant icon of the SDF, Andrew Akonteh, the deceased’s widow, Florence Asonganyi, offspring and crowds of Lebialem elite, countrymen and women.

The remains of the late Professor of Biochemistry, who earned his PhD in the London University in 1980 and taught in the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, had received academic honours from his peers and laid for viewing in Yaounde on 22 July before his final 400-kilometre journey to his native Fontem in Lebialem Division of the South West Region.

As chief celebrant of Asonganyi’s funeral mass, the Ordinary of the Mamfe Diocese, Bishop Andrew Nkea, recalled the late Professor’s selfless political and social life that bore him media fame. The chapter of the man, Asonganyi, who had become a front-line choice to media columnists, television and radio producers, is closed but his over 100 articles, and volumes will forever be reminiscent of the colossal but short in gait who recently toured the various Regions of Cameroon presenting his last piece titled: “Cameroon, Difficult Choices of a Failed Democracy”. Who would have known that he was just bidding bye to mankind? Adieu Tazoacha!