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| New Chief of Sasse, Abel Mokuke Ndive, happily greets the population that turned-up at his coronation |
By Christopher Ambe
At last, a new chief of Sasse village , which hosts St.
Joseph’s College- fondly called Sasse,
one of Cameroon’s most prestigious colleges, has been enthroned in an
atmosphere of calm and peace,
Abel Mokuke Ndive,a 42 year-old business man, who is the new chief,
was Saturday ,17 January at the Village Square officially
presented to the public by the Divisional Officer for Buea,Paul Kouam Wokam, bringing
to rest a bitter rivalry over who should
succeed Chief Joseph Molua Mokenge, who died in 1991,leaving the throne
vacant for twenty-two(23) years.
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| New chief with Buea DO,Paul Wokam and Northwest fons |
“Sasse village which has existed as any other Bakweri village and situated in Buea subdivision of Fako Division, is well
documented in the archives of Cameroon, with acknowledgement of its
agricultural prowess and the significant role it has played in Cameroon’s
history”, said the pro-tem Chairman of Sasse village Traditional Council, Mola Liowe
Francis.
“We are happy that today we have a chief selected by the
kingmakers of the village under the supervision of Government of the Republic
here represented by the Divisional officer for Buea and in strict observation
of Bakweri Traditional Rites and customs”
Mola Liowe noted that Sasse has been the pillar of education
in Cameroon for more than 75 years.
He pledged the readiness of the entire village to support
Chief Ndive, who, he said, “is the great-grandson of Mokenge mo Liowe, the
first identifiable Chief of Sasse Village in the 1929 archived records”
He used the occasion to send a message of support and
encouragement to President Biya for his able leadership of Cameroon.
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| Cross-section of chiefs of Buea Subdivision |
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| Northwest Traditional dance group |
The Divisional Officer for Buea Paul Kouam Wokam, urged the
new chief to keep aside personal interest as a leader and promote development
and unity in the village,as well as fight crime.
An elated Chief Ndive said his first priority would be to
identify the village boundaries, the various families and to embark on
agricultural development.
One of Sasse kingmakers, Associate Professor Ernest Molua,
told The Recorder that the enthronement of the new chief “is the dawn of a new
era. It is time for a new beginning since my grand-father late Chief Joseph
Molua Mokenge died in September 1991.I am glad that my cousin has been enthroned
to fill the vacuum -so that we start rebuilding the village, which hosts the
prestigious St.Joseph’s College. We are well connected to the ex-students of
the college who find themselves in diverse leadership positions in and out of
the country, and we think with their support we can start rebuilding the
village, making sure there is constant flow of water, electricity; a primary
and even a secondary school provided –especially a vocational training centre
“We call on all Sasse sons and daughters to side aside
whatever differences and come together for the rebuilding of this beautiful
village...”
The university don says the new chief who is a graduate of
Longla Commercial College and did his university education at Dschang, is
hardworking, generous, creative and was found of the two candidates presented,
worthy in character and expectations.
He said Sasse is also a beneficiary of CDC Land Surrender and
therefore has the opportunity to expand the village and resettle people.
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| King maker, Prof. Ernest Molua |
The Kingmaker invites development-oriented Cameroonians from
diverse backgrounds to “join us in building Sasse. Yes, Sasse is welcoming to
well-intentioned people with viable projects. We don’t want con men that will
have access to land and end up trading off. In Sasse, we don’t sell land. We
allocate you a piece of land to build immediately, and if you don’t live up to
expectation, your materials would be seized immediately. My late grand father
Chief Mokenge, for his reign of 40 years, never sold an inch of Sasse land. Why
should we sell Sasse. Sasse is not for sale.But we are open to investors.”
Apart from Buea chiefs led by Paramount Chief SML Endeley who
were present at the coronation, three fons from the Northwest Region who
included Fon Fobuzie of Chomba not only witnessed the event but presented a
traditional stool and staff to Chief Ndive, as symbol of royalty and authority.
Traditional dances from the Northwest and Southwest regions
graced the ceremony.
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