Mfoome Stephen: A visionary leader's legacy in NSODA (2013-2020)

NSODA vision under Mfoome Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka was deeply rooted in the 5 Year Development Plan that was presented to the General Assembly for debate and adoption. These actions included:

1. Review and enforcement of Kibam ke wong to ensure sustainability of NSODA and Palaces in Nsoland.
2. The mapping of all Nso villages to come up with the different Nso villages, locations, those with VDAs and those without. Diaspora mapping was also part.
3. The plan to attend all AGMs of VDAs and present report at all NSODA AGMs in respect to any meeting
4. The plan to obtain a piece of land for NSODA Secretariat construction, befitting the image of a Nso man.
5. The creation and enhancing of museums in all Fondoms in Nso
6. Nso to support development projects in all Palaces and villages of Nso scouting for funding to support different projects in different villages
7. NSODA planned to conduct a census for Nso people to knowhow many Nso people are and where they are.
8. NSODA also suggested an educational census to know how many Nso children are attending school and to support those without or with limited means to go to school
9. To carry out a census of Nso intellectuals/elite and what they do and where
10. Strengthen the collaboration of NSODA with Ministries, Institutions and other World Organizations
11. Ensure the functioning and sustainability of the NSODA Office.

These actions as planned constituted the vision that Mfoome and his team had for NSODA and which they sacrificed so much to realize.

The first major challenge that Mfoome and his team had, was to convince the elite groupings in other cities of Cameroon and abroad about what NSODA stood, its objectives, membership, rallying vision, community identity, sustainability and development vision and the need for all to accept and to belong for the good of Nso. This challenge was a herculean task, which needed resources, tact, humility and a listening ear; all qualities Mfoome possessed, and which palyed the tricked in meet-the-people-tours which took him and his Executive to Bamenda, Bafoussam, Yaounde, Ndop, Limbe, Nkongsamba, Douala, Bertoua, Kumba etc, During these missions, NSODA new vision, its challenges, its successes and expectations were shared and support and acceptance humbly pleaded for.

These missions did not end in Cameroon, as Mfoome used his personal resources to travel abroad and meet the Nso diaspora in Europe and in the U.S.A to share NSODA vision with them and lobby for their acceptance and support. The results of these missions are best reflected in the subsequent projects sponsored by the Nso diaspora in subsequent years.

A resultant challenge posed to this mission was lack of financial and logistical resources to facilitate movement and stay. This was where Mfoome’s sacrifices as a community leader came in. in his selfless style he offered and fueled his cars which the members of his delegation used. He equally paid hotel rooms for them and fed them, all these coming from his private pockets.

Apart from the financial and logistical challenges that came from the succession of an almost empty NSODA coffers and a non-functional NSODA Secretariat, the new President found issues with the representative nature of the NSODA Constitution and which he proposed a revision to make it meet contemporary exigencies. This was effectively done during the AGM of March 2014.

One of the major challenges Mfoome encountered and which he sacrificed energy to solve was the absence of development associations in some villages, especially in his home village, Kimbo.

Mfoome took over at the time negotiations for the return of Ngonnso from Germany was getting into high gear, with many stakeholders and partners coming into the scene. Mfoome’s charisma, diplomatic acumen, personal connections and understanding of national and international diplomacy added a new dimension to the endeavour. Through his charisma and public image, he was able to cause the government to support the Nso community drive for restitution. Through his personal funding he travelled to Berlin Germany where he joined Nso diaspora there to advocate the return of Ngonnso.

The presence of high profiled Government officials and the Bui Administrators during Ngonnso Cultural Festivals was also thanks to his tact and ability as a leader to know how to pull them along. His humility and soft-spoken nature gave every listener a smooth and favourable ear.

In another vein, as NSODA President, he led many missions to Palaces in the Nsoland either to support development projects or to attend and support cultural events. Through him, the consciousness of one Nso was prevalent. From Kiluun through Ndzerem Nyam, Mbokam, Nkar, Mbiame, Nseh, Ndzeen, Rong, Nchokov and above all Nso.

In his capacity as PG NSODA and Coordinator of SHUMAS-Cameroon, he entered a partnership with NSODA through the NSODA Secretariat in 2016, through which he paid fees of poor and vulnerable children identified by NSODA. This led to many vulnerable children being able to attend school until the Anglophone crisis disrupted the cycle.

One of the biggest visions initiated by Mfoome Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka was the NsoFirst initiative. This initiative which was aimed at creating the patriotic spirit, a sense of belonging and the pride of being Nso in every Nso son and daughter was sub-divided into different Renaissance initiatives under the Coordination of Ngo Banjika (aka Mfoome Europe). Amongst the initiatives that constituted the NsoFirst crusade were:

NSODA Sports Renaissance Initiative (NSRI)

NSODA Culture Renaissance Initiative (NCRI)

NSODA Agriculture Renaissance initiative (NARI)

NSODA Peace and Reconcilation Initiative (NPRI)

NSODA Education Renaissance Initiative (NERI)

NSODA Health Renaissance Initiative (NHRI)

The Nso Rebirth Forum WhatsApp Forum

The achievements from the NsoFirst crusade are palpable and unforgettable. Mfoome had through this vision helped to impart a sense of oneness, belonging and identity pride in Nso sons and daughters.

 

As emeritus NSODA President General, Mfoome Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka remained a force in the development and promotion of Nso and its people. He kept himself at the beck-and-call of His Majesty, Fon Sehm Mbinglo I, Paramount ruler of the Nso people. His wisdom, personal charisma, financial and logistical resources were kept at the service of the palace and Nso people who came to him.

Mfoome was a true son of the soil who could go an extra mile to ensure sanity and respect for institutions were enforced. He worked in close collaboration with the Fon, NSODA and other sons and daughters of Nso, to ensure that the Fon of Nso and the Nso people have dignifying image to the rest of the world. As a traditional titleholder from Nso, Mfoome paid a lot of allegiance and respect to these institutions as NSODA President General and as custodian of Nso culture and traditions.

Compiled by Edward Fonyuy Bulami (PhD), Former NSODA Secretary General (2009-2017)”