Senator Mbella Moki buries 97-year-old mother

Senator Mbella Moki buries 97-year-old mother

-         - As PCC Moderator elevates her to sainthood

BY ATIA TILARIOUS AZOHNWI

Mama Elizabeth Nalowa Mbella nee Mwambo, mother to Senator Mbella Moki Charles has been interred at their family home at Likoko-Membea Village in Buea.

She was buried last Saturday, February 1, shortly after a divine funeral service said in her honour by a college of clergy at Presbyterian Church Likoko-Membea, led by The Very Rev. Dr. Nyansako-Ni-Nku, retired moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, the PCC.

In his sermon delivered at the Funeral Service, The Very Rev. Dr. Nyansako-Ni-Nku drew inspiration from Job 19:25 to comfort the family.

He said bereavement is a permanent factor of life and that death remains a puzzle yet unraveled, stating that the aim of the funeral service was to mourn the demise of a great soul and celebrate the life of a child of God.

“...the death of a child of God is always an investment in heaven,” the Very Rev. Dr. Nyansako-Ni-Nku said, but highlighted that “the death of a mother is a very devastating experience. Mother is not just a person you lean on, but one who makes leaning necessary.”

The Very Rev. Dr. Nyansako-Ni-Nku told the mourners, whom he rather referred to as ‘celebrants’, that they should not give up because of the sadists of this world, but to make an effort to be holy and closer to God.

Rev. Nyansako described the 97 years spent by Mama Elizabeth Nalowa Mbella nee Mwambo on earth as a gift from God, stressing that “a long life is a gift from God, but a long and fruitful life is what you do to life.”

“Our redeemer lives and at the end, we shall see God. Christ my glory, Christ my all,” he concluded.

Mama Elizabeth Nalowa elevated to sainthood

The Moderator of the PCC, Rt. Rev. Dr. Festus Asana in a tribute states that “...the Church has lost a pillar of faith but heaven has received a saint.”

“Who says that the era of biblical women of faith like Serah, Rebecca, Miriam, Deborah, Ruth, Esther, Mary, Priscillia, Lydia, etc is gone? Certainly not! The likes of Mama Elizabeth Mbella constitute today’s women of faith and ripple effects of their faith remain positively contagious...even as Moderator of the PCC, I continued to learn from the faith of women like Mama Elizabeth Nalowa Mbella...,” an extract of the tribute from the PCC Chief Shephered reads.

Tributes

Senator Mbella Moki Charles in an emotion-jammed eulogy said their mother “...gave us strength in times of trouble, taught us to share in times of happiness and love and forgiveness in times of trials and challenges...She was so much a model of modesty.”

While PC Likoko-Membea Christians could only wish Mama Elizabeth Nalowa goodbye, members of the Restoration Choirs Association described her as one who put in her all to the service of God.

Mama Elizabeth Nalowa was born in 1917, baptised in 1918 and died on January 13, 2014 in the quietude of her Likoko-Membea home. She got married to Bernard Mbella Woka, a union that lasted for 77 years, when her husband died in1999.

They were blessed with 12 children, the last of them, Senator Mbella Moki.

Mama Elizabeth Nalowa leaves behind 200 members of her direct linage to mourn her, as she rested at the ripe age of 97.

Dignitaries galore

Several high profile personalities attended both the wake and the funeral of Mama Elizabeth Nalowa. For reasons of space, we may only list a few.

South West Governor, Okalia Bilai Bernard; Fako SDO, Georges Zang III; Limbe Government Delegate, Motanga Andrew Monjimba were some of the personalities at the wake.

The Divisional Officer for Buea, Paul Kouam Wokam; Senator Otte Andrew Mofa; Member of Parliament for Fako East, Hon. Etomby Ikome Gladys; PAMOL Board Chairman, Chief Esoh Itoh; PAMOL Interim General Manager, Chief Mekanya Charles Okon; and the Paramount Chief of Buea, Chief EML Endeley were present both at the wake and the funeral service.

Those who also answered present at the funeral service included (we apologise for lapses in protocol): SDF 1^st Vice National Chairman, Hon Joshua Osih; Peace Crusader, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle; The General Manager of CSPH, Elung Paul Che; the General Manager of the Cameroon Development Corporation, Franklin Ngoni Njie; the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buea, Prof. Nalova Lyonga; UB Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joyce Endeley; UB Registrar, Chief Prof. Samson Abangma; the President of the South West Chief’s Conference, Senator Fon Fontem Njifua Lucas; GCE Board Registrar, Sir Humphrey Ekema Monono; South West Court of Appeal President, Justice Lucy Asuagbor; President Fako High Court, Justice Charles Menyoli; ex-Fako SDO, Bona Ebengue Francois; YCPDM National President, Stephen Mbonda Motia; President of Fako Chief’s Conference, Chief Epupa Samuel Ekum; Limbe I Mayor, Mbua Rodanny; Limbe II Mayor, Duncan Molindo; South West SDF Chairman, George Ngeke Likiye; ex-Kumba Government Delegate, Calvin Nnoko Mbelle; Senator Matute Daniel, Hon. Meoto Paul Njie, Hon. Enoh Tanjong and Chief DR. Atem Ebako.