At father’s funeral: Eto’o weeps over persistent witch-hunting.

The burial ceremony was attended by dignitaries from across the world, including the former President of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, Ahmad Ahmad. 

The Head of State, President Paul Biya, was represented at the star-studded funeral, by the Minister, Deputy Director of Civil Cabinet at Presidency, Oswald Baboke.

Samuel Eto’o Fils, who was adorned in a white-like shirt on black trouser, could not control his emotions, when he mounted the rostrum to pay tributes to his late father.

In an emotion-packed extemporised speech, delivered during the heavily attended funeral ceremony, Eto’o, who was accompanied by his siblings, described his late father as a genuine leader, a selfless Statesman and philanthropist of repute. 

The former FC Barcelona star said growing up under the tutelage of his father gave him a deep understanding of life’s successes and challenges. 

Eto’o, who captained the country’s national team for several years, told mourners that his late father instilled in him the spirit of doggedness, courage, self-discipline, hard work, perseverance, kindness, humanity and forthrightness. 

He said in losing his father, he has lost his greatest blessing and comfort. 

Opting to deliver part of his speech in his native Bassa mother tongue, the FECAFOOT boss regretted that he was being haunted, left, right, centre and backward, for what he described as abiding to the values his father taught him.

Weeping profusely, Eto’o told his lifeless father: "Papa, some people hate and fight me because I am putting into practice the moral values you taught me". 

He quickly added that: "You taught me never to quit in front of adversity, Papa I will never quit".

“Papa, from you, I learnt the value of hard work. That is why on a daily basis, I work hard in everything I do. I also learned not to betray but do just,” he continued.

Meanwhile, earlier in his speech, Samuel Eto’o had expressed unreserved gratitude to President Paul Biya for the support and comfort offered his family during the trying moment in the life of their family. 

He also extended same message of gratitude to Congolese President, Denis Sassou Nguesso.

"I would like to first express my deep gratitude to the Head of State, H.E Paul Biya, for all his efforts to make Ngambe accessible. I will never forget the unwavering support President Biya has always given me. Through this very special attention, President Biya has once again demonstrated his deep attachment to our family,” Eto’o told the representative of the Head of State at the funeral.

He continued: “Mr Minister, Deputy Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency, I pray you transmit to His Excellency, Paul Biya, President of the Republic, my sincere gratitude and that of my family. All my gratitude equally also goes to His Excellency, Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo. His parental solidarity warms my heart”.

During the funeral ceremony in Ngambe, the late David Eto’o was posthumously decorated with the medal of Officer of the Order of Valour.

The recognition from the Head of State was placed on the casket of the late David Eto’o, by his personal representative at the event.

Minister Oswald Baboke said the commendation was in honour of the late patriarch’s contributions and service to the nation.

The funeral ceremony, it should be said, drew a large number of government officials, with several ministers in attendance to pay their last respects to the late Statesman.

Conspicuous amongst the government Ministers at the event was that of Housing and Urban Development, Célestin Ketcha Courtes; Public Service and Administrative Reforms Minister, Joseph Le, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji; and Transport Minister, Jean Ernest Bibehe. 

The Minister Delegate to the Minister Justice, Jean De Dieu Momo, was also in attendance. Several celebrities and public figures also showed up to comfort Samuel Eto’o during the ceremony.

Amongst such high-profile personalities was, the former President of the Congolese Football Federation, Constant Omari; global music star, Fally Ipupa; heavyweight boxer, Francis Ngannou; Nigerian music star, Davido; Guinean influencer and singer, Grand P; former Lions striker and current sports pundit, Patrick Mboma; Makossa legend, Longue Longue; and the immediate past Indomitable Lions trainer, Rigobert Song.