Bamenda: SHUMAS immortalises founder, erects monument at first memorial..

It was at the pioneer memorial to commemorate his legacy that an imposing effigy, carefully sculpted and planted at its Mile Six Nkwen office yard, was unveiled.

Unveiling the monument, the Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, accompanied by administrative, municipal, traditional and religious authorities, commended the selfless and dedicated life lived by Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka, serving humanity through philanthropic commitments. 

He exhorted people of the Region to emulate the late Ndzerem for a total transformation in a bid to alleviate livelihoods, especially of the vulnerable.

"We are equally here to celebrate his tireless efforts in promoting sustainable development in humanitarian services within our Region, Cameroon and the CEMAC Region," the Governor said.   

To him, Ndzerem Stephen was an ordinary man who acted in an extraordinary way, assisting people living with disabilities, the poor and vulnerable people not only in the North West Region, but in many parts of Cameroon and by extension the CEMAC Region in the social, health and agricultural domain.

He revealed that at the peak of the sociopolitical crisis rocking the Anglophone Regions, when calls were made for children not to go to school, Ndzerem Stephen championed school-going through construction of classrooms, toilets, donation of benches and other school gadgets. 

New SHUMAS Director installed

To keep the legacy alive and the flames of the erstwhile Director burning, his wife, Gillian Nyuykighan Njodzeka, was installed as new SHUMAS Director to take the relay baton.

"Today while celebrating his memory, we are also witnessing hope by the new executive of SHUMAS Foundation that has been installed in the person of his wife who lived the venture with her husband," Governor Lele remarked as he installed the new Director.

He prayed God to keep backing the new executive, pledging full government support especially the North West administration. 

The Governor went further to remind the new Director about the new position she was stepping into, urging her to do her utmost best to ensure that the selfless legacy left by her husband lives on.

The new Director expressed gratitude to God and was sincerely thankful to the administration of the Region, religious and traditional authorities, partners, collaborators and the general public for making the day a successful one. 

She paid tributes to her late husband, stating that he was a visionary leader, a mentor, a father and source of hope for thousands of vulnerable people whose lives were touched through his consistent commitments.

Gillian Njodzeka praised SHUMAS' valued partners for sharing in its vision of promoting human development and putting smiles on the faces of the most vulnerable population.

She expressed deep appreciation to one of their partners, Building Schools for Africa, for preserving and honouring the legacy of SHUMAS founder, through impactful projects. 

She cited, among others, the construction and equipment of 15 classrooms, three VIP toilets in three schools and the provision of 210 benches in Mezam Division, Babessi and Jakiri, provision of potable water in Galim in Bamboutous Division in the West Region and support to Ejumola sweet potato value chain in bid to support community resilience.

She stated that the keeping of the memory of Mformi Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka through the launching of The SHUMAS Legacy Magazine and unveiling of a monument in his memory was not just a symbol of remembrance but also one of responsibility. 

She emphasised that it should be a reminder that the legacy her late husband left was not buried in the past, but that it lives in everything touched, in every community served, in every act of compassion and every service upheld. 

After installation of the new executive, the official launching of The SHUMAS Legacy Magazine and the unveiling of the monument in memory of Mformi Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka at the Mile Six, Nkwen Bamenda Head Office, the attendees moved to his Up Station residence where a Holy Mass was said in his memory, culminating in celebration for the rest of the day.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3766 of Monday April 20, 2026