Cameroon:Ngongi Family Organizes Reception in Honor of Ambassador Tabong Kima

By Christopher Ambe Shu

 Ambassador, Chief Michael Tabong Kima and wife, Frida Kima, were in the evening of Monday, 28 December 2009 accorded a hectic reception at Buea OIC hotel, attended by a host of dignitaries including Southwest Regional Governor, Eyeya Zanga Louis.

Cameroonian –born Dr. Amos Namanga Ngongi,President of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and his spouse Rebecca Ngongi who threw the grandiose party, said it was in honor of Chief, Ambassador Michael Tabong Kima,recently elevated to the Order Of Cavaliere Di Gran Croce(Knight of  The Great Cross ) by Italian President Hon. Giorgio Napolitano.

The medal was awarded to him recently at the Italian Embassy in Yaoundé, by the Italian Ambassador Antonio Bellavia.

 Ambassador Kima was accompanied to the Ngongi- reception in Buea by his wife, Frida Kima and last son, Dr. Kima

In his welcome address, host, Dr. Ngongi recalled how very pivotal Chief Tabong Kima was in resolving problems at the international level while serving in Rome as Cameroon’s Ambassador .Chief Tabong Kima served as ambassador in Rome for twenty years, during which he also occupied different international executive posts.

Ambassador Kima had been Leader of African Group for all UN organizations, Dean of the Commonwealth in Rome, Dean of the Francophone Group in Rome, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, among other positions.

“Whenever there was a delicate problem to resolve at the international level in Rome, it was Ambassador Kima was called in…”,Dr. Ngongi noted, citing some examples of the crucial problems the diplomat resolved to the satisfaction of all.

Dr. Ngongi who had lived in Rome for nine years before Ambassador Kima was sent there, stressed that during Ambassador Kima’s stay in Italy, the  latter was very receptive not only to  all Cameroonians but also to foreigners; that he was loved by almost all.

Dr Ngongi described celebrations marking Cameroon’s National Day (May 20) at the Cameroon Embassy in Rome, under Ambassador Kima, as the best -organized among parties he (Dr. Ngongi) had attended.

He credited Ambassador Kima for the latter’s selflessness and judicious use of resources put at his disposal for the common good.

 “He held us all there like a real father. I feel like a son of his. In fact, all the children who are calling themselves kima all come after me”, an elated Dr. Ngongi voiced out. “He took me like a son and took my wife like a daughter”.

Dr. Ngongi, who lived in Italy for 23 years and had never seen any African receive the medal in question, dwelled on the significance of the Knight of the Great Cross awarded by Italy’s President to Ambassador Kima.He noted that it is the second most-valued medal of Italy.

According to him, Ambassador Kima has done Cameroon in particular and Africa in general proud by winning the prestigious medal.

“Ambassador, Your Royal highness, welcome back home. Thank you for bringing a very heavy gift from Italy to Cameroon,”Dr. Ngongi shouted in joy.

Governor Eyeya Zanga, in his brief remark, said Ambassador Kima “is a source of inspiration for those who have Cameroon at heart and would like to serve this country”.

The Governor added that he himself would not hesitate to seek wisdom and good advice from Ambassador Kima.

To Professor Lobe Monekosso, former WHO director for Africa and one-time Cameroon Minister of Public Health, Tabong Kima was born a great diplomat, yet he has achieved greatness a diplomat.

In his response, Ambassador Kima was so thankful to Dr. & Mrs.Ngongi for organizing the hectic reception, which gave him what he described as “the rare and pleasant opportunity” to meet distinguished personalities in Buea. “The Ngongis merit great applause from us all”, he said.

 He recalled that the Italian Ambassador in Cameroon had invited Mr and Mrs Ngongi to witness the medal- award ceremony at the Italian Embassy but the Chief Executive Officer of AGRA (Dr. Ngongi) was unavoidably absent, because he was busy elsewhere in Africa.

But upon Dr Ngongi’s return to Cameroon, Ambassador Kima gave him the invitation which was in his keeping, and Dr.Ngongi’s responded: “I have neither seen the medal nor the diploma of the decoration. I will organize my own reception here in Buea and invite personalities and friends who can come and we will together see the decoration and give own appreciation”

Ambassador Kima said because of the international significance of the decoration, the award-ceremony at the Italian Embassy was co-hosted by Cameroon’s Minister of External relations, Eyebe Ayissi.Minister Ayissi, he recalled, said “Italy is honoring Cameroon through our ambassador. Hence, it is my duty to accept the Italian Ambassador’s invitation to co-host the ceremony”

Ambassador Kima wished all present a prosperous New Year, 2010 .He then presented the medal and the diploma to the audience, drawing thunderous applause from many invitees.

Conspicuously present at the party were dignitaries such as Dr. Mrs Dorothy Njeuma, member of ELECAM Board; Barrister Eta Besong Junior, President of Cameroon Bar Assocaition; Bishop of Buea Immanuel Bushu; Mola Njoh Litumbe, Chairman of Liberal Democratic Alliance and Barrister Ekongtang Elad, OIC Board Chairman.