Okie Johnson shortly after being conferred title
By Richard Nde Lajong
The atmosphere was electrifying when Okie Johnson Ndoh, Director General of the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilisation Fund (HPSF) also known as CSPH came out from a makeshift traditional tent with a bag hung on his shoulder, a carved elephant (totem) also hanging on his neck. He put on a cap with cowries, dressed in typical Sawa outfit and walked majestically round to greet his kinsmen of the 12 clans of Nguti.
He had just been given the title of Nfon Etingne, (Chief of Love) by traditional rulers of Mbo, in Moungo Division who had come to grace the cultural evening organised to celebrate the life of a Patriach, Papa Okie Jackson Sinke.
According to one of the Chiefs who conferred the title on Okie Johnson, the symbol of the elephant signifies the giant of the forest who is not frightened by anything and can destroy anything on its path.
Okie Johnson (Nfon Etingne) greeting traditional rulers
“In the process of crowning him, he has been given the powers not to be subdued by any obstacle…he is there for peace, love, and any obstacle he meets on his way, he will overcome it. That is why he was given the broom, which also symbolises power.” The Chief told us.
The colour ceremony was witnessed among others, the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Kupe Muanenguba, Nguia Beina Theophile, Hon Fonge Julius and revered Cameroonian singer, guitarist, and song writer, Prince Ndedi Eyango popularly known as King Mouan Nkum (Le Roi Des Montanges). The latter thrilled the thousands gathered with some of his albums of yesteryears that kept the population on their feet.
Okie Johnson in handshake with Prince Ndedi Eyango
It should be noted that the conferring of the title of the Chief of Love (Nfon Etingne) on Okie Johnson Ndoh by the Chiefs of Mbo in the Moungo Division was part of celebrating the life of a Patriach, Papa Okie Sinke Jackson who joined his Creator some 33 years ago. To commemorate this celebration, a cultural evening was organised to celebrate him traditionally by all the 12 clans that make up Nguti Subdivision.
The cultural evening was characterized by a series of traditional dances and gastronomy that show-cased the different traditional dishes of Nguti. Some local artists of Nguti Subdivision were also on hand to grace the night with some beautiful sound tracks.
Okie Johnson (Nfon Etingne) presented to the population
All these activities happened in Mboka village, which has witnessed a rapid socio-economic and spiritual developments that have caught the attention of the entire nation. Mboka, also known as the City of Love is host to the IRAD Multipurpose Centre and the iconic Spiritual Centre known as the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine that is attracting thousands of Catholic Pilgrims and other people of faith from far and near. Another attractive site is the Sinke Plantation Ltd, and of course free fresh portable drinking water and regular electricity supply that powers homes, and local businesses.
Mboka also has some distinctive features that blends with a rich biodiversity and modern buildings that serve as a source of pride to natives with vivid memories of the contrasting past.
