Snapshots: An X-ray of Cameroon�s Democracy, Governance and Unification

45. Dan Kisob Goes Marching In

177 45 Dan Kisob Goes Marching In 6th July, 2007 With the obvious exception of the so-called state funerals of venerable politicians like John Ngu Foncha and Solomon Tandeng Muna, hardly any other funeral in Bamenda has in recent times mobilised and galvanised the populace like that of my bosom friend and soul brother, Justice Dan Akum Kisob. Dan should have made it to the rank of chief justice were it not for his most untimely and painful death on the road to Ebolowa, of all places. And why was he on the road to Ebolowa, the land of rotten chimpanzees? Dan and two of his colleagues had been jettisoned into internal exile purportedly for disciplinary reasons in connection with the infamous murder trial of Fon Doh, the traditional ruler of Bali Kumbat and a mignon of the ruling CPDM regime, who last year was sentenced to prison for murder even though he is today moving about freely following a legally dubious and immoral grant of bail on health grounds. If I were to write an epitaph for you, Bobs, I would simply say, “Dan died on the Altar of Vindictiveness.” Enemies labour in vain. Your life, Bobs, was glorious, but your very hot exit has brought immeasurable sorrow and consternation. If I should write a book about you, that book would be like my heart and me. When you checked out unceremoniously, you took away a part of my soul and all those you came across during your hectic time on earth. I recall the decision we took (you, Chinanga Suh Boma (RIP) and myself); the decision, after completing CCAST Bambili, to go to Yaounde instead of overburdening our parents about the UK, USA or à la rigueur Nigeria, Ghana, or Liberia, all of which were the cherished and conventional destinations for Southern Cameroon and later West 178 Cameroon’s high school leavers. We strapped our boots and journeyed to Yaounde in a spirit of adventure and defiance. Who was excited about Yaounde University where bright Anglophone students found themselves repeating classes or whose chances of gaining admission into the school of engineering (Ecole Polytechnique) where narrowed by Government policy? Yet we took the challenge to defy the Yaounde myth with a selfdesignated mission to imprint the Anglo-Saxon way of life on the other side of the Mungo. We were going to turn the other cheek, but not at every bend of the road. Our watchword was HONESTY. We were subdued in comportment, but not intimidated; respected authority but licked no asses (or is it arses?). Throughout your life, as anyone can testify, you lived by noble principles. You had a heart of gold, a sense of humour, and a generous soul, which left no one you came across indifferent. The 70-seater omnibus that conveyed your colleagues from Ebolowa (where you had hardly stayed for six months) to your funeral in Bamenda (22-23 June) was eloquent testimony of your outgoing nature and outstanding human relations. For most of your 55 odds years on earth, you left a legacy of refinement in taste and deeds. You never settled for less than the best in dress, drinks and victuals. And you have also left behind three promising boys, a lovely daughter, a tearful and devastated wife, Jackie, the entire Kisob family, the magistracy, friends and acquaintances (from the highest to the lowest) to grieve for you. Water Rationing In Buea While in Bamenda recently, I stumbled on a number of friends who sought to know how we were faring in Buea. Well, I said, apart from the hectic political electioneering, we are suffering from shortage of potable water, even in the rainy season. “What?” exclaimed one of them, “you mean to say that after having supplied two prime ministers in quick succession that is all they can bargain for? That is rubbish!” 179 “Easy my man,” I countered, “at least we have the new Mutengene-Muea macadamised road.” The bearded one, dubbed Sam Nujoma on account of his grey beard, dismissed my observation.” A one-centimetre density road. Can you compare that with the Dschang-Melong road? A masterpiece in civil engineering? “ Of Intellectuals and Politics The issue of intellectuals getting involved in politics and what attitude is expected of them was brilliantly handled recently in the national radio programme, Cameroon Calling. Professor Ndiva Kale’s contribution was so edifying and clarifying that intellectuals need not...