Gov’t renovates tomb of national anthem co-author.

The artist composed the music of the National Anthem of Cameroon in 1928, from the text written by Rene Jam Afanen.

Since his demise in 1995, the grave of the patriarch had been abandoned and covered by green vegetation in his native Bikalla village, Lolodorf Subdivision, Ocean Division of the South Region.

Following the completion of rehabilitation on the grave ordered by the President Biya, the grave was reopened for visitors and tourists. This was during a ceremony organised last Friday March 31.

It was presided over by the Inspector Number 1 at the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Martin Valere Oyono Bitounou. He did so on behalf of the Minister, Bidoung Kpwatt.

The event took place in the presence of the Divisional Officer for Lolodorf, Gabana Adjia Thomas and family members of late Minkyo Bamba amongst others.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Minister’s representative said the project carried out by the family of the late patriarch, completely meets the instructions of the Head of State.

“We can confirm that the works have been completely done and this place will attract cultural tourists and everyone who wants to honour the memory this historic personage,” Oyono Bitounou said.

While congratulating the Mikyo Bamba family for the successful realisation of the project, he reassured them to transmit the report of the project completion to the Head of State.

“This rehabilitation is in application of instructions given by the President of the Republic for funds to be made available for this renovation works. This is to honour one of the composer of our National Anthem,” the MINAC official added.

Beside the renovation of Minkyo Bamba’s tomb, he reiterated that the resting place of the other composer; Bernard Fonlon and Rene Jam Afanen, who died 1986 and 1981 respectively, are also being rehabilitated. 

“So all these personalities in view of the state recognition, will benefit worthy rehabilitation right from their resting place,” the MINAC Inspector emphasised.

Family expresses gratitude to gov’t, begs for more

Meanwhile, the head of the Minkyo Bamba’s family, Colonel Jules Samuel Bamba, lauded President Biya for the state recognition by giving their father a befitting tomb, worthy of his contribution to nation building.

He however, pleaded on the Head of State to order for the demolition of their family house shading the tomb’s visibility and to erect another elsewhere so as to give it the visibility and grandeur his late father deserve.

“As you can see the grave is being limited from having maximum visibility by visitors because of this building which shades the grave from roadside. This tomb will become a touristic destination and a place for recreation,” he explained, adding that “so we wish that the State can demolish this house and rebuild it behind the tomb so that this architectural design for our late father’s tomb can have maximum visibility from visitor and passers-by”.

The family residence where Minkyo Bamba spent his last years on earth, is said to have been constructed as a gift by one of his former student after discovering the miserable state his former teacher was living in.

On his part, the traditional ruler of Bikalla village, HRM Nziou Abrahim has expressed delight of his entire community by the move of the President.

“I am overwhelm by the move by the state because he remained anonymous for a long time and us the Bikalla community didn’t know that the message of Minkyo Bamba resonated far beyond,” the traditional ruler said.

He added that: “We are extending our appreciation through the Minister of Arts and Culture to the President of the Republic. We are resolutely behind him and supporting his development efforts”.

Just like the traditional ruler, a notable of Bikalla, Pfouer Hubert, said the edifice erected on the tomb of the late son of the soil is a big honour to their village.

“We are very happy by this effort of the State. We will now have the feeling each time that the national anthem is sung that it is the Bikalla village that is being honoured…” the notable, a retired teacher, told reporters.

He further express the community’s wish to see the lone government secondary school in the village renamed after Minkyo Bamba.  

">

The artist composed the music of the National Anthem of Cameroon in 1928, from the text written by Rene Jam Afanen.

Since his demise in 1995, the grave of the patriarch had been abandoned and covered by green vegetation in his native Bikalla village, Lolodorf Subdivision, Ocean Division of the South Region.

Following the completion of rehabilitation on the grave ordered by the President Biya, the grave was reopened for visitors and tourists. This was during a ceremony organised last Friday March 31.

It was presided over by the Inspector Number 1 at the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Martin Valere Oyono Bitounou. He did so on behalf of the Minister, Bidoung Kpwatt.

The event took place in the presence of the Divisional Officer for Lolodorf, Gabana Adjia Thomas and family members of late Minkyo Bamba amongst others.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Minister’s representative said the project carried out by the family of the late patriarch, completely meets the instructions of the Head of State.

“We can confirm that the works have been completely done and this place will attract cultural tourists and everyone who wants to honour the memory this historic personage,” Oyono Bitounou said.

While congratulating the Mikyo Bamba family for the successful realisation of the project, he reassured them to transmit the report of the project completion to the Head of State.

“This rehabilitation is in application of instructions given by the President of the Republic for funds to be made available for this renovation works. This is to honour one of the composer of our National Anthem,” the MINAC official added.

Beside the renovation of Minkyo Bamba’s tomb, he reiterated that the resting place of the other composer; Bernard Fonlon and Rene Jam Afanen, who died 1986 and 1981 respectively, are also being rehabilitated. 

“So all these personalities in view of the state recognition, will benefit worthy rehabilitation right from their resting place,” the MINAC Inspector emphasised.

Family expresses gratitude to gov’t, begs for more

Meanwhile, the head of the Minkyo Bamba’s family, Colonel Jules Samuel Bamba, lauded President Biya for the state recognition by giving their father a befitting tomb, worthy of his contribution to nation building.

He however, pleaded on the Head of State to order for the demolition of their family house shading the tomb’s visibility and to erect another elsewhere so as to give it the visibility and grandeur his late father deserve.

“As you can see the grave is being limited from having maximum visibility by visitors because of this building which shades the grave from roadside. This tomb will become a touristic destination and a place for recreation,” he explained, adding that “so we wish that the State can demolish this house and rebuild it behind the tomb so that this architectural design for our late father’s tomb can have maximum visibility from visitor and passers-by”.

The family residence where Minkyo Bamba spent his last years on earth, is said to have been constructed as a gift by one of his former student after discovering the miserable state his former teacher was living in.

On his part, the traditional ruler of Bikalla village, HRM Nziou Abrahim has expressed delight of his entire community by the move of the President.

“I am overwhelm by the move by the state because he remained anonymous for a long time and us the Bikalla community didn’t know that the message of Minkyo Bamba resonated far beyond,” the traditional ruler said.

He added that: “We are extending our appreciation through the Minister of Arts and Culture to the President of the Republic. We are resolutely behind him and supporting his development efforts”.

Just like the traditional ruler, a notable of Bikalla, Pfouer Hubert, said the edifice erected on the tomb of the late son of the soil is a big honour to their village.

“We are very happy by this effort of the State. We will now have the feeling each time that the national anthem is sung that it is the Bikalla village that is being honoured…” the notable, a retired teacher, told reporters.

He further express the community’s wish to see the lone government secondary school in the village renamed after Minkyo Bamba.