1. family and parenting
2. children

SAMPLE
PROGRAMME
COORDINATORS
Margaret Ndzelen Martin Jumbam
Beryl Fofung
Victor Tanni
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11
11:00
Removal from the Buea Mortuary
Procession to the Buea Town Catholic
Church
13:00
Mass at the Buea Town Church
Procession from Church to Residence
16: 00 Viewing
Vigil
Holy Mass
Wake-keeping with Prayers and
Group Animation till 12 Midnight
SAMPLE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12
05:00
Holy Mass
Departure for Kumbo
16:00
Reception at Squares:
Council Band in Attendance
Procession to the Lainjo Residence
at Ndzengwev
Lying in State and Viewing
19:00
Vigil
Holy Mass
Wake-Keeping
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13
09:30
Mass at the St. Theresa’s Cathedral
11:00
Internment at the Cathedral Cemetery
Reception at the Cathedral Premises
Reception at the Lainjo Residence
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14
10:00
Celebration of Pa V.T. Lainjo’s Life
Holy Mass
Visit to the Cemetery
Traditional Dances at the Lainjo
Residence
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INTERNMENT PROGRAMME
EULOGY
V. T. Our Father
SPEECH
Official Representative
SPEECH
Official of Rooyaai
APPRECIATION
ANNOUNCEMENT/ORDER OF REFRESHMENT/EXIT
INTERNMENT
St Theresa’s Cathedral Cemetery
SAMPLE
PALL BEARERS
Bongsuiru Lainjo Goddard Lainjo
Fidelis Lainjo
Richard Lainjo
Theophile Tata
Martin Nsai
Dobgima Fofung
WREATH BEARERS
Fidelia Lainjo
Hilda Lainjo
Crescentia Sanosi-Lainjo
Wendy Garvis-Lainjo
Elizabeth Lainjo
Seraphine Lainjo-Tata
V.T’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Pa V.T. Lainjo was married to Mama Cecilia Banboye
from Bamfem (Wan ntoh Nso) of blessed memory.
They were blessed with thirteen children. Seven are
living namely: Bongsuiru Lainjo, Goddard Lainjo,
Seraphine Lainjo Tata, Fidelia and Fidelis Lainjo,
Richard Lainjo and Hilda Lainjo. At his death, he had
thirteen grand-children and five great
grandchildren. He leaves all behind and a host of
friends and family to mourn him.
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HIS VISION
VT subscribes to the democratic philosophy of
“government by the people, for the people and with
the people”. His thinking places man in the
epicenter of all efforts, to define and guard
authentic values, protect the people’s identity and
work for peace. He believes in families and
communities working together; addressing their
challenges and uniting people. Talking to Professor
Lantum, he states that “Cameroon can be more
peaceful if citizens look at the nation and society as
challenges to carefully plan together in mutual trust,
to construct and to embellish for their good.”
HIS LEGACY
Public Service: As Minister of Education, Local
Government and Natural Resources in the nineteen
fifties, VT. Initiated and supervised the construction
of the Bamenda ring road, schools and hospitals. As
Council Administrative Secretary, he built farm to
market roads, bridges, health centers, markets,
settled chieftaincy dispute over Bakassi, by
providing relevant records and documents must be
recognized. The school of Local Government is his
brain child. VT was a living encyclopedia and
epicenter of volunteerism working with exceptional
rigor and moral rectitude
SAMPLE
Honesty: Accountability and transparency were his
guiding principles, manifested in his management of
council funds. VT frowns at corrupt practices which
according to him are immoral and slow down
government machinery. It is inconceivable and
unacceptable that paid civil servants request or
receive bribes for services rendered.
Long-Life: At a more human level, it is estimated
that he lived between 100 and 102 years. The major
part of his life was dedicated to the growth of the
human spirit, intellect and body. His life was
rhythmic and routine; a glass of cold water – first
thing in the morning and last thing at night, regular
meal times, a shot of good brandy taken religiously
in his coffee, and cold morning showers. VT
demonstrated unsurpassed work ethics, strong
spiritual values, love for people and football.
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LITURGY
CELEBRATION OF MASS IN BUEA
CELEBRANTS
Chief Celebrant:
Bishop Emmanuel Bushu
Bishop Emeritus Pius Awa
Homily:
Bishop Emmanuel Bushu
Celebrants:
Fr. Moses Tazo
Fr. Tobias Wirmum
Fr. Nestor Ngube
Fr. Edward Ngalame
ANIMATION SONGS
HE WHO PUTS HIS HAND ON THE PLOUGH
He who puts his hands on the plough
And keeps looking back is not worthy
Of me, if you want to enter into life
Sell all you have, give the money
To the poor come follow me
SAMPLE
Take up your cross everyday
Then come and follow on the way.
Leaving behind home and family,
Come work with me on my field.
Wake up and listen to my call,
Call on my name in your need
I will be with you daily through your life,
Working with you step-by-step.
Come on have a share in my life,
Come on have a share in my work,
Work of healing, work of salvation,
How great will be your reward.
Come, give to me all your life,
Come give to me all you time,
All that you are, all that you will be
You are a living sacrifice.
I KNOW THE PLAN
I know the plan, I have for you,
Plan to prosper you, declares the Lord,
Though rising tides and storms may rage,
Yet God holds the future in his hands
His hands made the earth and sky,
Keep close to him and trust his love,
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Be happy all day long
God holds the future in his hands.
God has a plan, for you and me,
Brothers open up, your hearts to him;
Though weary be, the road ahead,
Yet God holds the future, in his hands.
Though trying times, may come your way,
Do not wane away, like the moon;
Be like the sun, which changeth not,
Yet God holds the future in his hands.
When you stumble and fall,
the Lord will help you to stand,
Do not give up, till the end;
Let come what may, sunshine or rain
Yet God holds the future in his hands.
Be of good cheer, and look up to him,
For the Lord will be, your source of strength;
Though hard may seem, the heavenly race,
Yet God holds the future in his hands.
SAMPLE
ENTRANCE SONGS
LET HIM IN
Who is he that’s waiting, waiting
Just outside the door
Who is he that’s knocking, knocking
Has He knocked before?
Rise and bid Him enter in
Peace and hope He brings
‘Tis the saviour knocking, knocking
‘Tis thy Lord and King.
Chorus
Let Him in, let Him in
He waits outside the door
Let Him in ere He departs
To return no more.
Don’t you hear him saying, saying
Come, O come to me
T’was for you that dying, dying
I hung on the tree
Come and see my hands my side
Look on me and live
Though your sins be many, many
Pardon I can give.
Still His Voice is calling, calling
Sweet, the tones and low
Bid Him enter quickly, quickly
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Ere He returns to go
Must He then depart
All because His pleading, pleading
Reaches not your heart.
Sometimes you’ll be waiting, waiting
Just outside the gate
Sometimes you’ll be pleading, pleading
When it will be too late
Now accept your heaven’s guest
He’ll forgive your sins
While He is still waiting, waiting
Rise and let Him in.
ALL YE WHO SEEK A COMFORT SURE
All you who seek a comfort sure
In trouble and distress,
Whatever sorrow vex the mind
Or guilt the soul oppress
Chorus
Jesus who gave himself for you
Upon the cross to die
Opens to you his Sacred Heart
OH to that draw nigh.
SAMPLE
Ye hear how kindly he invites ,
Ye hear his words so blest,
All ye that labour comes to me,
And I will give you rest
What meeker than the saviour’s heart
As on the cross he lay
It did his murderers forgive
And for their pardon pray
O Heart, thou joy of saints on high
Thou hope of sinners here
Attracted by those loving words
To thee I lift my prayer
KYRIE- CHOIR
FIRST READING – WISDOM 4:7-15
Righteous people, however will find rest, even if
they die young. We honour old age but not just
because a person has lived a long time. Wisdom and
righteousness are signs of the maturity that should
come with old age. Once there was a man named
Enoch, who pleased God, and God loved him. While
Enoch was still living among sinners, God took him
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away, so that evil and falsehood could not corrupt
his mind and soul. We all know that people can be
so fascinated by evil that they cannot recognize
what is good even when they are looking right at it.
Innocent people can be so corrupted with desire
that they can think of nothing but what they want.
This man Enoch achieved in a few years time a
perfection that other people could never attain in a
complete life time. The Lord was pleased with
Enoch’s life and quickly took him out of this wicked
world. People were aware of his departure but
didn’t understand. They never seemed to learn the
lesson that God is kind and merciful to his own
people; he protects those whom he has chosen.
This is the Word of the Lord.
SONG – PSALM 38 OUT OF THE DEPTHS
Antiphon 1
I place all my trust in you, my God:
all my hope is in your mercy.
Antiphon 2
As the watchman longs for dawn,
I wait for you, my God.
SAMPLE
Out of the depths I cry to you,
O Lord, Lord, hear my voice!
O let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleading
If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt
Lord, who would survive?
But with you is found forgiveness:
For this we revere you.
My soul is waiting for the Lord,
I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord
More than watchman for daybreak
Because with the Lord there is
Mercy and fullness of redemption
Israel indeed he will redeem
From all its iniquity
To the father almighty give glory
Give glory to his son
To the spirit most holy give praise
Whose reign is forever.
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SECOND READING – 2 TIM 2:8-13
Remember, Jesus Christ, who was raised from
death, who was a descendant of David, as is taught
in the Good news I preach. Because I preach the
good news, I suffer and I am even chained like a
criminal. But the word of God is not in chains, and
so I endure everything for the sake of God’s chosen
people, in order that they too may obtain the
salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings
eternal Glory. This is a true saying: if we have died
with him, we shall also live with him. If we continue
to endure, we shall rule with him. If we deny him, he
also will deny us. If we are not faithful, he remains
faithful, because he cannot be false to himself.
This is the Word of the Lord.
KEEP IN MIND
Antiphon:
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died
For us and is risen from the dead.
He is a saving Lord, he is joy for all ages
SAMPLE
If we die in the Lord,
we shall live with the Lord.
we shall reign with the Lord
If we endure with the Lord,
In him all our sorrow, in him all our joy
In him hope of glory, in him all our love
In him our redemption, in him our grace
In him our salvation, in him all our peace
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
ALLELUIA VERSE
GOSPEL – JOHN 6:37 – 40
Everyone whom my father gives me will come to
me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to
me, because I have come down from heaven to do
not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.
And it is the will of him who sent me that I should
not loose any of all those he has given me, but that I
should raise them all to life on the last day. For what
my father wants is that all who see the sun and
believe in him should have eternal life. And I will
raise them to life on the last day.
This is the gospel of the Lord.
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HOMILY
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
For the Church: Your Universal church O Lord is
going through trials and temptations both external
and internal, Father Almighty look upon her with
mercy and may the Holy Spirit continue to
strengthen her.
We pray to the Lord, Lord Hear us.
For the Religious: Lord Jesus Christ, we pray to your
Father in heaven to continue to fill our Pope with
the power of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to run your
church successfully. Spare all the religious from any
temptation that befalls them.
We pray to the Lord, Lord Hear us.
For Pa Lainjo: We pray you Father to forgive the sins
of Vincent Thomas Lainjo and those of his late wife
Cecilia Banboye and keep them in your kingdom.
We pray to the Lord, Lord Hear us.
SAMPLE
For children, grandchildren and great grand
children: Father in heaven, you gave Vincent and
Cecilia many children and seven of them are alive:
Denis, Goddard, Seraphine, Fidelia, Fidelis, Richard
and Hilda; continue to bless and guide them as they
continue life here on earth.
We pray to the Lord, Lord Hear us.
For deceased members of the family: We pray you
O lord to grant eternal rest to all deceased members
of Vincent and Cecilia.
We pray to the Lord, Lord Hear us.
We pray for doctors, nurses and all those who took
care of Pa Vincent Thomas during his last days. That
God may reward them for their commitment and
attention to him. We pray to the Lord, Lord Hear us.
We pray for ourselves gathered here today to pay
our last respect to Vincent Thomas that God may
give the graces to emulate his life so as to better
prepare ourselves for our own day.
We pray to the Lord, Lord Hear us.
We thank God for all the friends and relatives that
have traveled from far and near and worked hard
for the success of his farewell, grant them their
heart desires and journey mercies as they travel to
their various destinations.
We pray to the Lord, Lord Hear us.
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Let us pray a while for our personal intensions.
Let us ask our mother Mary to intercede for us as
we sing (hymn 253)
O Queen of the holy Rosary
O! bless us as we pray,
And offer thee our roses,
In Garlands, day by day;
While from our father’s garden,
With loving hearts and bold,
We gathered to thine honour,
Buds, white, and red and gold.
OFFERTORY - SONGS
SANCTUS– CHOIR
PATER NOSTER - CHOIR
AGNUS DEI – CHOIR
SAMPLE
COMMUNION - SONGS
EXIT- SONGS
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CELEBRATION OF MASSES IN KUMBO
VIGIL MASS
CHIEF CELEBRANT
Fr. Roland Berngeh
Fr. Romanus Kisi
Fr. John Lukong
Fr. Lucas Sanosi
Fr. Daniel Ache
READINGS
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 49:8.13-16.
The Lord says to his people, when the time comes to
save you, I will show you favour and answer your
cries for help. I will guard and protect you and
through you make a covenant with all peoples. I will
let you settle once again in your land that is now laid
waste.
Sing heavens shout for joy, earth! Let the mountains
burst into song! The Lord will comfort his people, he
will have pity on his suffering people. But the people
of Jerusalem said, “The lord has abandoned us! He
has forgotten us”. So the Lord answers “Can a
woman forget her own baby and not love the child
she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I
will never forget you. Jerusalem, I can never forget
you! I have written your name on the palms of my
hands.”
This is the word of the Lord.
SAMPLE
SONG BY CHOIR
SECOND READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 5: 1.6-10.
For we know that when this tent we live in - our
body here on earth – is torn down, God will have a
house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself
has made which will last forever. So we are always
full of courage. We know that as long as we are at
home in the body, we are away from the Lord’s
home. For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight.
We are full of courage and would much prefer to
live our home in the body and be at home with the
Lord. More than anything else, however, we want to
please him, whether in our home here or there. For
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all of us must appear before Christ to be judged by
him. We will each receive what we deserve
according to everything we have done, good or bad,
in our bodily life.
This is the word of the Lord.
SONG BY CHOIR
GOSPEL: JOHN 14:1-6
“Do not be worried and upset” Jesus told them.
“Believe in God and believe also in me. There are
many rooms in my father’s house and I am going to
prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if
were not so. And after I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that
you will be where I am. You know the way that leads
to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him,
“ Lord, we do not know where you are going; so
how can we know the way to get there?” Jesus
answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life;
no one goes to the father, except by me.”
This is the gospel of the Lord.
SAMPLE
HOMILY
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FUNERAL MASS
CHIEF CELEBRANTS
His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi
His Lordship Bishop George Nkuo
HOMILY
Fr. Clement Ndze Fr. Lucas Sanosi
OTHER PRIESTS
Fr. Edwin Njongai
Fr. Romanus Kisi
Fr. Anthony Viban
Fr. George Ngalim
Fr. Henry Dinayen
Fr. Roland Berngeh
Fr. Emma Mbeh
Fr. William Tardze
Fr. Joseph Wirba
Fr. Joseph
Mbiydzenyuy
Fr. Aloysius Aki
Fr. Tobias Wirmum
Fr. Joseph Tangka
Fr. Daniel Ache
Fr. Polycarp Fonjock
Fr. Marcel Gham
Fr. Zepherinus Mbuh
Fr. John Lukong
SAMPLE
ANIMATION & ENTRANCE SONGS
FIRST READING – WISDOM 3:1-9
But righteous people are protected by God and will
never suffer torment. It is a foolish mistake to think
that righteous people die and that their death is a
terrible evil. They leave us, but it is not a disaster. In
fact, the righteous are at peace. It might appear that
they have suffered punishment, but they have the
confident hope of immortality. Their sufferings were
minor compared with the blessings they will receive.
God has tested them, like gold in a furnace and
found them worthy to be with him. He has accepted
them just as he accepts the sacrifice which his
worshippers burn on the alter. When God comes to
reward the righteous, they will blaze out against the
wicked like fire in dry straw. They will rule over
nations and peoples, and the Lord will be their king
for ever. Those who have put their trust in God will
come to understand the truth of his ways. Those
who have been faithful will live with him in his love
for he is kind and merciful to the ones whom he has
chosen.
This is the word of the Lord.
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SONG
HOW GREAT THOU ART
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider, all the works Thine hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my saviour God to thee
How Great Thou Art: How Great Thou Art.
And when I think that God, His Son no sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burdens gladly bearing,
He bled and died, to take away my sin.
When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart,
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, How Great Thou Art.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze
SAMPLE
SECOND READING – ROMAN 6:3-9
For surely you know that when we were baptized
into union with Christ Jesus, we were baptized into
union with his death. By our baptism, then, we were
buried with him and shared his death. In other that,
just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious
power of the father, so also we might live a new life.
For since we have become one with him in dying as
he did, in the same way we shall be one with him by
being raised to life as he was. And we know that our
old being has been put to death with Christ on his
cross, in other that the power of the sinful self might
be destroyed, so that we should no longer be the
slaves of sin. For when you die, we are set free from
the power of sin. Since we have died with Christ, we
believe that we will also live with him. For we know
that Christ has been raised from death and will
never die again – death will no longer rule over him.
This is the word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA
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ON THE RESURRECTION MORNING
On the resurrection morning,
when the trumpet of God shall sound,
We shall rise alleluia, We shall rise.
Then the saints will come rejoicing
and no tears will ever be found.
We shall rise alleluia, we shall rise.
Chorus: We shall rise, alleluia, we shall rise, Amen.
We shall rise, Alleluia
On the resurrection morning,
When death’s prison bars are broken,
We shall rise, alleluia, we shall rise.
On the resurrection morning,
what a meeting it will be!
We shall rise, alleluia, we shall rise
When our fathers and our mothers
and loved ones we shall see,
We shall rise, alleluia, we shall rise.
On the resurrection morning,
we shall meet him in the air;
We shall rise, alleluia, we shall rise,
He will take us into heaven
and we shall live with him there.
We shall rise, alleluia, we shall rise.
On the resurrection morning,
blessed saviour is for me,
We shall rise, alleluia, we shall rise.
I shall meet him in his glory,
who so freely died for me,
We shall rise, alleluia, we shall rise.
SAMPLE
GOSPEL- MT 5:1-12 SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Jesus saw the crowd and went up a hill, where he
sat down. His disciples gathered around him and he
began to teach them:
“Happy are those who know they are spiritually
poor, the kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
Happy are those who mourn, God will comfort
them!
Happy are those who are humble, they will receive
what God has promised.
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what
God requires, God will satisfy them fully.
Happy are those who are merciful to others, God
will be merciful to them.
Happy are the pure in heart, they will see God.
Happy are those who work for peace, God will call
them his children.
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Happy are those who are persecuted because they
do what God requires, the kingdom of heaven
belongs to them.
Happy are you when people insult you and
persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against
you because you are my followers, be happy and
glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven.
This is how the prophets who lived before you were
persecuted”.
This is the gospel of the Lord.
HOMILY
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant – Let us pray with confidence to God our
father, who raised his son Jesus Christ from death,
that he may give comfort to the Living and eternal
rest to the dead.
For the Church: Let us pray for the growth of the
universal church; especially for our Holy father Pope
Benedict the 16th; our Bishops………………….; Priests
and Religious, that they may be the light to all
entrusted in their care; and be the sign and source
of Jesus’ power to unite all men.
We pray to the Lord …………………………
For Pa Vincent Thomas Lainjo: We thank you Lord
for the life of Pa Vincent Thomas Lainjo. In your
mercy and love we pray that you forgive him
whatever sins he may have committed through
human weakness. Give him eternal rest in your
heavenly kingdom where he will be rewarded with a
happy and unending life.
We pray to the Lord…………………..
SAMPLE
For departed family member: Heavenly father, we
continue to pray for the souls of the many departed
family members; especially his wife mama Cecilia
Banboye Lainjo; that perpetual light may shine on
them forever.
We pray to the Lord…………………..
For the family: God our father, Pa Vincent Lainjo
cherished family life, friends and relatives. Give
them the grace to accept the vacuum his death has
created. May they be consoled by the belief that
one day; they will meet to part no more.
We pray to the Lord……………………
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For peace and unity in the Lainjo family: God our
father, unity is strength; we pray for a spirit of
genuine unity, love and peace that Pa Lainjo
fostered all his life in the family. May his children
and other family members be blessed with these
virtues.
We pray to the Lord………………….
For the sick and the elderly: Let us pray for the sick
and the elderly; may they unite their pain and
sufferings with that of Christ in his passion.
We pray to the Lord…………………………..
For Carers: We thank God our father for all those
who sacrificed time material, personal care for the
sick and the elderly. We thank particularly Pa
Lainjo’s children and family who did all that was
humanly possible to provide for Pa’s Comfort.
We pray to the Lord………………………
For all present at this funeral mass: Thank you Lord
for the opportunity of participating at this
Eucharistic celebration, may it help us to reflect on
our pilgrimage. May the many mourners who have
traveled from far and near have a blessed stay.
Guide them O Lord as they travel to their
destinations.
We pray to the Lord……………………………….
SAMPLE
For our personal needs: In the silence of our hearts,
let us pray for our private needs. (1 minute pause).
We pray to the Lord……………………………..
Let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the
risen Lord to intercede for us.
Hail Holy Queen………………………………..
Celebrant: Almighty God, and father, you are our
rest after the journey of this earthly life. We are
confident that the prayers we have made for Pa
Vincent Thomas Lainjo have been answered through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
OFFERTORY
SONGS
MY GOD ACCEPT MY HEART
My God, accept my heart this day,
And may it wholly thine,
That I from thee no more may stray
No more from thee decline.
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Before the cross of him who died,
Behold, I prostrate fall;
Let every sin be crucified,
And Christ be all in all
Anoint me with thy heavenly grace,
And seal me for thine own,
That I may see thy glorious face,
And worship at thy throne.
Let every thought and work and word,
To thee be ever given;
Then life shall be thy service lord,
And death the gate of heaven.
All glory to the father be,
All glory to the son,
All glory holy ghost to thee,
While endless ages run
LORD FOR OUR SINS
Lord for our sins we offer thee,
This gift of bread,
For all thy Christian faithful too,
Living and dead.
SAMPLE
Thou who did make us and remake,
Through Christ thy son,
With him like water in the wine
Oh make us one.
Now as we offer in thy site,
This saving cup,
Fragrant before thy majesty,
May it rise up.
Humble and pleasing sacrifise,
Lord, may we be,
And holy spirit, come to bless,
Our gifts to thee.
That our saviour’s sacred flesh,
Changed be this bread,
And that the cup of wine become,
Blood that he shared.
TAKE MY LIFE
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to thee
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
18
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of thy love,
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my king;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite, would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as thou shall chose
Take my will, and make it thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is thine own;
It shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love, my lord, I pour
At thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for thee.
SAMPLE
OTHERS: -
SONGS IN LAMNSO
VEN LAYSIN VIFA VE NSAY VI
Ven laysin vifa ve nsay vi a kuumi Nyuy ven
laysin vifa
Ve nsai vi (2x) A Kuumi Nyuy.
Vifa ve nsay vi bo’ti ven a ven ker kong fe fo
Ngang o (2x)
Ven waiy viffi vifa ve nsay men shaa Nyuy woo wo
bomen ven (2x)
Yii bom Nyuy wir ve nsay, a kuu bom wun kav
wo nsay (2x)
A kristena ven wome ka Vinyo vin vidzem ku yii
ven o (2x)
A kristena ven gevrika, ven lirr kiliir sa fe Nyuy
si oo (2x)
A kristeni ku’ni nsay nghang a dze wir ve a kong kav
woo nsay o (2x)
Wir dzem wiy ma’ti nsay, a wu ma’tia wuna kav
woo nsay o (2x)
19
MO WIY NSAY A’M KER KA
Mo wiy nsay, mo wiy nsay a m’ker ka (2x) a-aaa
Bass: (Mo wiy nsay a m’ker ka). All
Wuu wiy nsay wuu wiy nsay….
I came to this world with nothng…
He came to this world with nothing…
SANCTUS - CHOIR
PATER NOSTER - CHOIR
AGNUS DEI - CHOIR
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine: Cum sanctis tuis
In aeternum: quia pius es
Requiem determam dona eis, Domine: et lux
Perpdual luceat eis. Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum:
Quia pius es.
SAMPLE
COMMUNION
SONGS
JESUS MY LORD MY GOD, MY ALL
Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All,
How can I love thee as I ought?
And how revere this wondrous gift
So far surpassing hope or thought?
Sweet sacrament, we thee adore;
Oh! Make us love thee more and more.
Had I but Mary’s sinless heart
To love thee with, my dearest king,
Oh, with what burst of fervent praise
Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing!
Sweet sacrament, etc.
Ah, see! Within a creature’s hand
The vast creator thence to be,
Reposing, infant-like, as though
On Joseph’s arm, or Mary’s knee,
Sweet sacrament, etc.
Thy body, soul, and Godhead, all,
Oh mystery of love divine!
I cannot compass all I have,
For all thou hast and art are mine.
Sweet sacrament, etc.
20
Sound, sound his praises higher still,
And come, ye angels, to our aid;
Tis God, the very God,
Whose power both man and angels made.
Sweet sacrament, etc.
I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE
I am the bread of life,
He who comes to me shall not hunger;
He who believes in me shall not thirst;
No one can come to me unless the father draw him.
Congregation:
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up,
And I will raise him up on the last day.
The bread that I will give
Is my flesh for the life of the world,
And he who eats of this bread
He shall live for ever. (2x)
Unless you eat
Of the flesh of the son of man,
And drink of his blood,
And drink of his blood,
You shall not have life within you.
SAMPLE
For my flesh is food indeed,
And my blood is drink indeed.
He who eats of my flesh
And drinks of my blood, abides in me.
As the living father sent me,
And as I live because of the father,
So he who eats me
Shall live because of me,
Shall live because of me.
I am the resurrection,
I am the life,
He who believes in me
Even if he dies, he shall live for ever.
Yes, Lord, I believe
That you are the Christ,
The son of God,
Who have come into the world.
I am the way and the truth,
I am the life.
No one comes to the father
except he comes through me,
except he comes through me.
21
AMAZING GRACE
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
I was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
SAMPLE
The world shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun refuse to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
I COME TO THEE ONCE MORE
I come to thee once more, my God
No longer will I roam
For I have sought the wide world through
And never found a home.
Though bright and many are the spots
Where I have built a nest,
Yet in the brightest still I pined
For more abiding rest
Riches could bring me joy and power
And they were fair to see
Yet gold was but a sorry god
To serve instead of thee.
Then, honour and the world’s good word
Appear a nobler faith
22
Yet could I rest on bliss that hung
And trembled on a breath
The pleasure of the passing hour
My spirit next to wile
But soon, full soon, my heart fell sick
Of pleasure’s weary smile.
More selfish grown, I worshipped health,
The flush of manhood’s power
But then it came and went so quick,
It was but for an hour.
And thus, are not unkindly world
Had done its best for me
Yet I found oh God no rest,
No harbor short of thee.
For thou has made this wondrous soul
All for thy self alone
Ah! Send thy sweet transforming grace
To make it more thine own.
SAMPLE
OTHERS – SONGS IN LAMNSO
Aaa Taata Nyuy, ver tong few o, wo moo Tar. A-a a a
Refrain:
Aaa Taata Nyuy, ver tong few o, wo moo Tar – a a a
Woo lo sui ji ver wiy limb en ver wiy ndze’nin, fe
bam e ver
Waa kpukir mmm, A-a a a
Verb en kwa ji ver wiy limb en, ver wiy maysi, fe
bam, e ver buri wo Taata. A-a a
Ver fen yen ji nge si wiy mayfe ver wun, e ver
men ba’ti fe wiy sa yen woo ngaa mbom.
A fen ker ka bo dze fomo wo moa foon e ver, e
Tar ver wiy kfen sho wo sir.
Vesen ki ji Nyuy lo wo tooy wir ji wu waa wiy, bi’fe
mo wu maysini lim ree nsay fen.
A ngay wir a wanle a ku wiy kpu du yen Tar, e
Kishe’ri ke ki wiya dze la yo’may.
Wirdzem wiy kpuu, mo Taata suiyen (2x)
23
EXIT
NEARER MY GOD
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me
Still all my songs would be,
Nearer my God, to thee
Nearer to thee.
Though, like the wonderer,
The sung gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee
There let the way appear,
Steps onto heaven,
All that thou send’st to me
In mercy given
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee.
SAMPLE
LEAD KINDLY LIGHT
Lead kindly light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead thou me on
Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see
The distant sin, one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Should’st lead me on,
I loved to chose and see my path, but now
Lead thou me on.
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will, remembered not past years
So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O’er moor and fen o’er crag and torrent till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.
24
HELP LORD THE SOULS
Help, Lord, the soul that thou has made,
The souls to thee so dear,
In prison for the debt unpaid
Of sin committed here
These holy souls they suffer on,
Resign’d in heart, and will,
Until thy high behest is done,
And justice has its fill
For daily falls, for pardon’d crime,
They joy to undergo
The shadow of thy Cross sublime,
The remnant of thy woe
Oh, by their patience of delay,
Their hope amid their pain
Their sacred zeal to burn away
Disfigurement and stain
Oh by their fire of love, not less
In keenness than the flame,
Oh, by their very helplessness,
Oh by thy own great name
SAMPLE
Good Jesu, help sweet Jesu, aid
The souls to thee most dear,
In prison for the debt unpaid
Of sins committed here
25
VINCENT THOMAS LAINJO
A BIRD’S EYEVIEW
INTRODUCTION
“When one finds a lucid centenarian chatting with
his loved ones about his life experiences, one is
amazed at the change and progress in the physical,
social, psychological, political, religious and cultural
spheres that took place, during his life time. That is
why “griots” of any community are valued and
treasured, because they make the rising generations
to live with them in the past and to share with them
the spirit and the adventures of their people,
especially
if such “griots” were themselves
development adventurers and heroes of the cause.
Vincent Thomas Lainjo, who was until recently the
living Encyclopedia at the Governor’s Office in the
South West Region of Cameroon, had become an
enigma in the fifth score of his life, and, ipso facto,
called for dialogue with the present generation of
Cameroonians.”
SAMPLE
It is our distinguished pleasure to invite you to
discover the life of our father and your father,
through the eyes of a celebrated medical and
political giant who remained V.T.’s very close friend,
Professor Dan Lantum; and a renowned scholar and
historian, Professor Verkijika Fanso.
HIS EARLY BEGINNINGS
Vincent Thomas Lainjo was from Rooyaaiy in Wvem
near Vekovi in Nso’, Bui Division. Although his
maternal background is very well known from when
he was a child that has never been the case with his
paternal connection that is much mixed up. This is
because of the circumstances surrounding his
mother’s two marriages that ended prematurely in
quick succession and led to his being raised by his
maternal uncle catechist Thomas Serkfem who was
wrongly believed by some to be his biological father
and by others to be his senior brother.
Vincent Lainjo’s mother was known as Fonkar, the
fourth of twelve children (single births) of Buudzee
(Faay woo Rooyaaiy) and Mbee (one of the wives of
Faay). Fonkar is said to have been initially betrothed
26
at Melim at a young age but following the demise of
her husband she later had another husband at
Shuutuumi, below Ntsәimbaŋ, not far from
Wainamah. When she fell seriously ill at Shuutuumi,
her junior brother, Thomas Serkfem, who was
catechist not far away in Babessi came and took her
and looked after her and her children. It is Thomas
Serkfem who raised Vincent Lainjo and his two
junior sisters, namely Beatrice Kpushuika who later
married Bernard Sheey (nicknamed Baa Jamjam) of
Banka in Kumbo and Odilia Dzerla who lived at
Ndengwev also in Kumbo. He was rescued from the
hands of the ngiri in ntoh Nso where he was taken
to go and “shiy ntoh” by his uncle Thomas. Vincent
also built his house and home at Dzengwev when
still a young man. Rooyaaiy, which is an offshoot
and sub-lineage of Yuŋkuy in Meluf, is V.T. Lainjo’s
maternal family that raised him and his two sisters
through Thomas Serkfem. He and his children
belong traditionally to Rooyaaiy and are full
members of that family. This was and is not strange
in Nso where the practice of double descent is much
tolerated, where the tradition of the right of the
mother’s family over her first born is respected and
where the right of children to fully belong to their
mother’s lineage is accepted when the father’s
family makes no claim or offer protection.
SAMPLE
V.T. Lainjo was born in about 1908/10, some two-tofour years after the Nso’-German war of 1906 and a
few years before the German Sacred Heart
Missionaries reached Nso land on 31st December
1912 and opened the first Catholic Mission Station
at Shisong on the outskirts of Kumbo town on 1 st
January 1913. Lainjo was soon introduced to the
Roman Catholic Christianity at a very tender age by
his uncle Thomas Serkfem who was catechist at
Babessi and remained a committed and practicing
Catholic all his life. He was also helped especially
when he became a pupil by another uncle of
Rooyaaiy, Patrick Wanyu, when he schooled at
Shisong.
YOUTH AND FORMATION
It was the privilege of Christian children in Kumbo
town to attend the Sacred Heart Catholic School
Shisong. At that time, the crude measure for
recruitment into infant one was a child’s ability to
cross his right hand over his head and touch his left
27
ear. Most children were able to do this manoeuvre
by the age of seven. The cold around waters and the
manual labour presented further challenges to the
young people seeking a European education. That
was V.T. Lainjo’s inevitable acclimatization, and he
passed the test of adaptation and toughness. There
was no excuse, and only the fittest survived. Sir
Patrick William Lebaga, the famous and long-serving
head-master of Shisong in the 1940s loved to call
manual labour “Njong Massi” which he described as
the forced labour.
Young Vincent was quite gifted. He began to show
intellectual qualities rather early, passed from
infants one through to standards four and merited a
scholarship to travel down to the South. He
attended the Regina Pacis School Soppo, and later
transferred to Saint Mary’s School, Sasse, just across
the valley, about four kilometres away. Vincent
states categorically that he went down to Sasse in
1925, at about an early age of 15. The journey lasted
13 days of trekking. Among the well-remembered
compatriots of Nso origin at the time were Christian
Sanosi and Michael Wamey. There were many
pupils of North-West origin such as Vincent
Domatob and John Fonban Ghana from Bali. He also
cites Aloysius Wankuy of Mbisha who followed in
1926, and Martha Bonka who was attending the
Girl’s School and recalls that there was already a
colony of Nso people at Bojongo where Martha
Bonka was attending the Girl’s School.
SAMPLE
According to Robert J.O Neil (1991) Michael Wami
of Djottin entered school at Shisong in 1928.
Teachers were needed and Mgr. Rogan directed Fr.
Anthony Schmid and Fr. Scully to grant three boys
scholarships to study in Sasse. Michael Wami and
Vincent Lainjo, already in Sasse, and Stanislaus were
chosen. They took Std VI Exams that was marked in
Lagos in December 1931, and Wami and Lainjo
passed. “Lainjo and I went back to Kumbo and
became the first Banso people to teach. That was in
1932,” and said Mr. Michael Wamey. Papa Lainjo
recollects that he and Michael Wamey passed their
examination that year, and V.T. Lainjo was sent to
teach at Sacred Heart School, Shisong by 1931.
V.T, THE TEACHER AND MENTOR
From 1932 to 1943, Vincent Lainjo taught quite a
good number of pupils, including Chrysanthus
28
Yange, Lawrence Fonka, Denis Kuaban, Bernard
Wirnkar, Boniface Sakah, Joseph Lafon, Bishop Paul
Verdzekov and Bernard Fonlon, all of whom became
torch-bearers in their time. As an employee of the
Catholic Mission, he was supervised by the Parish
Priests of Shisong who also served as school
managers. Vincent Lainjo was in charge of the many
church activities; construction of buildings,
improvement of the church premises and leader of
school band. He recalls leading the band to the Nso’
palace to pay respects to the Fon before marching
into the field on Empire Days. One can envision him
marching ahead and beating the time: Yi loo yi laa,
Nkovi ke yiyki, as the base drum beat the rhythm
Tim, Tim Tim! His brilliance and high sense of
responsibility inspired him to improve his education
through private classes taken by correspondence
with Bennet College and Woolsy Hall Institutes in
England. V.T Lainjo was later to depart prematurely
from Shisong on the arrival of Reverend Fr. Ivo
Stockman who introduced far reaching and highly
controversial structural changes in the mission.
SAMPLE
USHERING INTO NATIVE AUTHORITY
ADMINISTRATION
Fortunately for him, at that time a circular was
issued from the British Administration for applicants
who wished to be trained in Native Authority
administration. Mr. Lainjo cashed in the
opportunity, went to Bamenda, participated in the
competitive entrance examination, performed most
brilliantly and was recruited for training as a Native
Court Clerk. After some time, he was recalled and
retrained as a Treasurer, and so he cumulated all
these with his vast teaching knowledge skills and
experience.
The positions of Court Clerk (indeed effectively, the
Native Court Judge) and of the Treasurer, who kept
the government revenue, were very high
responsibilities under the direct supervision of the
District Officers, who were the British
Administrators; and these positions were the key of
the System of Indirect Rule introduced by LORD
LUGARD, the first Governor of the British
Protectorate of Nigeria, and Colony of Lagos,
adopted for Southern Cameroons in January 1922.
According to Anthony Ndi (2005)
Thus trained, Lainjo first served at Bamenda in
29
various capacities, and then was posted to the
various clan courts before he finally settled as The
TREASURER of NSAW NATIVE AUTHORITY, that was
in 1948. Four other groups emerged by 1953
among which was the South-Eastern Federation of
Native Authorities which combined NSAW, BAFUT
and NDOP, and its Headquarters was established at
Bamunka (NDOP) which the Nso’ love to call
“Mbinkar.” As V.T. Lainjo was the Treasurer of the
largest unit (NSAW Council), he was unanimously
elected as the Treasurer/Administrator of the
Federation. It is well remembered that all the four
federations were coordinated by the Bamenda
District Officer whose office was at the German
Fortress at the “Bamenda Station” The others were:
Federated Local Clan Council of Kom, Wum, Bum,
Beba-Bafang and Essimbi.
His duties included:
Demarcation of NA territorial boundaries
Training of local council clerks and technician
Supervision and control of local council
budgets
Verification and revision of development
project plans
Coordination and execution community
development projects
Financial disbursement and budgetary control
Organization of Federation meetings (BOARD,
GENERAL ASSEMBLIES)
Settlement of land and clan boundary disputes
Attending seminars and in-service training in
Nigeria and United Kingdom
SAMPLE
More specifically, if seen appropriately as the brain
behind the chief’s power, he was the thinker and co
-planner of Nso’ development during the reign of
Fon Nso’, Sehm III (alias Thomas Mbinglo). They
worked harmoniously while the Manjong provided
the man-power and the NA technicians provided
the technical direction and supervision with NA
financing. He personally organized the construction
of Jakiri-Foumban road and arranged the meeting
of Fon Mbinglo and Sultan Seydou on the bridge at
BER to launch the work. Celebrating his
achievements he recounted its litany:
I planned the Mah-Mbo-Nso road and
supervised its execution; I planned the TaduOku road and supervised it to the finish
I planned the transfer of the Kimbo Central
Market and the “Hausa Community” from the
30
Cathedral Hill to Mbveh Hill, and there I
planned the streets and the siting of the
mosque on the spot of the ruins of the
Leprosarium transferred to Mbingo.
I planned all the Maternities and Health
Centers of Kumbo, Nkum, Mbam, Mbo-ntsem,
and Jakiri; and I trained the midwives and got
the centers functioning.
I planned the Kumbo Town daily market at the
“SQUARES,” and the first square was allotted
to me, although I never put it to use
I took the minutes of the settlement meeting
between Fon Nso and Shuufaay Ndendzev
I planned the Construction of the Kimbo
Community Hall in the ruins of the first
Sacramental Center above the Yuwar
compound (as the Fon’s personal project); it
was later sold to the Nso Council
I planned a Scholarship Scheme for bright
boys and girls.”
SAMPLE
PA LAINJO IN POLITICS
In 1951 Vincent Thomas Lainjo was nominated as
contestant in the election with nine others on a
single slate for the three parliamentary seats
allocated to the Bamenda Division to join ten others
from five other divisions (Nkambe, Wum, Mamfe,
Kumba and Victoria) of the Southern Cameroons
that were each allocated two seats to go to the
Eastern Regional House of Assembly at Enugu in
Nigeria. There were at the time no political parties
in the Southern Cameroons and the contestants
were to be chosen on the basis of their charisma
and popularity with the electorate. Lainjo emerged
first, followed by S.T. Muna and J.N. Foncha and
were the three elected parliamentarians of
Bamenda Division. The others from the two other
divisions of the Bamenda Grassfields were J.T. Ndze
and A.T. Ngala from Nkambe and J.C. Kangsen and
S.C. Ndi from Wum.
Lainjo and the 12 other electors took their seats in
the House of Assembly in Enugu in 1952 and as such
became politicians. While at Enugu, Lainjo was
selected with three other Southern Cameroonians
to represent the Regional House in the Federal
House of Representatives in Lagos. But the Southern
Cameroons politicians were not satisfied with their
territory being represented in the Eastern House,
31
instead of having their own separate Region and
House of Assembly at Buea.
In 1953 the British government agreed to create a
Southern Cameroons House of Assembly on
condition that the newly formed KNC party that
wanted it defeated the newly formed KPP party that
was hesitant about it in the next parliamentary
election in January 1954. This was the first time that
Lainjo began to really ‘play politics’ in Nso’ and the
Southern Cameroons and to be known personally by
many who had only heard of him as a senior
administrator in the British Southern Cameroons.
The issue was that Southern Cameroonians would
have their own Regional Assembly of Assembly at
Buea if the KNC won the election. He told his
constituents in Nso about the developmental
difficulties the territory was facing in the Eastern
Nigerian politics and promised that they would be
masters of their own destiny if they had their own
House. That House was already at hand if the KNC
party won the election.
SAMPLE
V.T. Lainjo was re-elected and the KNC won and in
October 1954 he and twelve others became the first
elected Southern Cameroons Members of
Parliament in Buea. Lainjo was re-elected two other
times into the Buea Assembly in 1957 and 1959.
When Dr. Endeley who was Chairman of the KNC
and Leader of Government Business in the Southern
Cameroons was raised to the rank of Premier and
asked to form the first ever ministerial government
in Buea, he appointed Lainjo as his Minister of Social
Services in charge of Health and Education. Before
Endeley left for London to attend the Resumed
Constitutional Conference for Nigeria and the
Cameroons, he recommended and Lainjo was
named Acting Premier in 1958.
Although Lainjo won in his Nso constituency, the
KNC-KPP alliance however lost the 1959 election
that the KNDP narrowly won 14-12 and Foncha
became Prime Minister. The major issue in that
election was the future of British Cameroon as it
approached the end of the trusteeship period. The
popular platforms were integration into Nigeria,
secession from Nigeria, unification of Northern and
Southern Cameroons, independence of the unified
British Cameroon, and eventual re-unification with
the former French Cameroon. The majority of
Southern Cameroonians wanted independence of
their territory – no integration, no re-unification.
32
Because secession had to precede both
independence and re-unification, the KNDP was
slightly favoured in the election. Lainjo eventually
lost his Nso seat in 1962 and retired from active
politics.
PAPA V.T. LAINJO AT WORK
On the third floor of the Governor’s Office, on the
left wing, is door No 15, V.T. Lainjo’s office where he
has worked since 1966. He is usually dressed in
warm clothing and this includes a short sleeve
sweater and a long neck scarf. His table is simple but
large. Papa sits behind it facing the door and backing
the window which faces the Buea Mountain as it
rises steeply behind. In front of him and slightly to
his right side, are three sets of eye-glasses in
containers; but directly in front of him is a
voluminous typed report which absorbs his
attention. He has been peering into it to refresh his
memories about the boundaries of a clan whose
council administrators have been plaguing the
governor for a decision on the appeal sent by the
divisional administration. At a visitor’s knocks, he
raises his head, and the heavy eye glasses beam at
the visitor like the hunters head light. He can read
near objects clearly, but as his distant vision is
rather faint, he cannot see and recognize people. So
he calls out: who is that coming? After self
introduction to which he listens with keen attention,
he welcomes the visitor and requests him to take a
seat. Then the conversation starts. He likes to lead
the chat with digging questions to profoundly assess
his guest and situate himself in the general context
of affairs before adapting his responses. Papa Lainjo
is quite a discrete person and measures what he
says to each visitor.
SAMPLE
There is a feeling of being in a sanctuary or in some
antique shrine as soon as one enters Papa’s office.
On the right side is a low shelf stretching from the
far corner of the room to very near the door. Sitting
on this shelf are books, most of which are hard
cover law books, some are well bound and trimmed,
and others are eaten up by book-worms. Majority of
these are books of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
legal system on “Lands and Survey Reports,”
covering the period 1958-1965.
Bear in mind that, Buea was the capital of Southern
Cameroons which was part of Eastern Nigeria
33
Region of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before
independence in 1961. Detailed studies of land and
territory to demarcate clan and ethnic property
were conducted during the British Colonial regime
to facilitate the British Indirect Rule System of
government which privileged Native Authority
Administration. Papa Lainjo was brought up in the
system from 1943 to 1954, and he eventually
became the Secretary of State for Local
Government, Lands and Natural Resources in Dr
Endeley’s government of Southern Cameroons at
Buea (1954-1958). Because of his expertise, Dr John
Ngu Foncha called him back to service in 1966 to
serve as Consultant in the Governor’s Office at Buea.
Governors and all other civil servants have been
coming and going, but Papa Lainjo remained the
rock of all ages until a few years ago when his health
started to fail. He was an asset in providing
information on the Bakassi peninsula issue, having
mastered land issues from both the Nigerian and
Cameroonian perspectives.
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This unique civil servant in his 90s still went to office
regularly, but his working hours were reduced to
three hours daily, from 11:00 Am to 2:00 Pm. He
was quite punctual, and respected his
appointments. His driver drops him at the office
basement, and he walks up the stairs assisted by his
walking stick. At exactly 2:00Pm, the driver is back,
and he walks down the staircase gently, turns to the
left side of the main entrance, where he accesses
the car easily from a raised table floor. On arrival at
home, he steps out, assisted by the driver, and
walks to his resting space. He recognizes the
domestic servants by their voices, and then calls
them by their names to assign a duty or make a
request. It is great fun to spend an hour with the
Lainjo family in his modest bungalow standing in the
thief-proof enclosure near the municipal stadium, as
one is approaching the Buea town. Still to great
humour, Papa likes to entertain his visitors with
food and drink, and he offers you a taxi fare on your
way out.
V.T’S EVENING FEELINGS AND IMPRESSIONS
Society and Citizenship: There is no question that
the Cameroon State/Nation which V.T Lainjo served
for so long was extremely dear to him. He believes
that society could be more peaceful if citizens
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looked at the nation and society as challenges to
carefully plan together in mutual trust, to construct
and to embellish for their own good. Yet he also
believes that society must change and develop as
“the old order changeth, yielding place to *the+
new.” In spite of this, he still apparently holds
strong views about how this should happen, and
tends to imply some ethical principles to guide
society along the pathway of change.
National Politics: Reviewing the nation from 1960
to 1984, he regrets that President Ahmadou Ahidjo
and His Excellency, President Paul M. Biya were
never good friends but simply work colleagues. He
wishes that there was some friendship between
them. He regrets that true democracy does not exist
in Cameroon despite the structures of dialogue in
place. The Central Committee of the CPDM Party
scarcely meets to discuss some broad
developmental agenda, and muses how Parliament
and the Judiciary can work independently and
objectively when parliamentarians and judges are
hand-picked and appointed by decree. Certainly,
they must serve their master, not necessarily their
country. He admonishes Professor Daniel N. Lantum
of the CPDM Central Committee for Bui to put
humility into party work so that the party can be a
servant rather than a master Lording it over people.
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Bui Society: Dwelling at length on Bui division he
touches at random on many issues:
The Fon and Modernity: The visit of the Fon of Nso’
Sehm Mbinglo I to the United States of America in
2006 expedient because it exposed him to the
modern and enhanced his views on the social
development of his fondom. He certainly was
exposed to human rights issues and a democratic
system of government. His membership of the
North-West Fon’s Union and his visits to Fon Foto of
Dschang are good openings to democracy.
The Nso Fondom: Modern party politics can destroy
Nso’ and the Fonship system which kept Nso’ going
strong long before the Germans came. The Fon of
Mbiame, ranking as second class chief, was the son
of a Yaa (Wan Yaa), and the fondom of Oku – also a
second class chiefdom was founded by a Prince of
Nso’ called Mikong. It is important that they respect
their root relationships even in the midst of recent
political changes some of which militate against the
supremacy of the Fon of Nso’. It is firmly established
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by decree that there shall not be two paramount
fons in the Sultanate of Foumban and the
paramountcy of Nso’ which are co- terminous with
Noun and Bui divisions, respectively.
Nso Shuufaayship: In recent times, there has also
been some degradation in the Shuufaayship system
of Nso’, and some lineages are collapsing and
scattering, especially when a lineage-head dies and
the Fon has to appoint a successor. It is wiser and
more promising to select successors from among
the residents who are familiar with the customs and
traditions. However those successors who earn a
regular wage income are likely to be more stable
than jobless dependents that grew up in the village.
At the same time the Fon of Nso’ needs advisers
who are exposed to modernity to propel Nso’
society in the right direction
Nso Party Politics: In matters of party politics, the
Fon was best advised to eschew belonging to any
one party as that would divide his people and cause
disrespect and disloyalty to him by those Nso’
citizens who are fanatics in other parties. It is very
good that all the political parties are well received in
the Nso’ palace, and that they work well with the
Fon. However, he should periodically assemble all
and discuss general developmental challenges.
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The Municipal Council: It is regrettable that the Fon
of Nso’ is not a permanent member of the Kumbo
Urban Council and even all the Councils of Bui
division – his paramountcy. It is important that the
Fon of Nso’ and his Vibias (Sub-Chiefs) should be
protected by the Urban and various Rural Councils,
and they should be invited often to council
meetings when certain matters are being discussed,
even if they do not have to a cast a vote. The
traditional authority can still wisely be integrated
into modern council management. That he is the
automatic Chairman of the Kumbo Water Authority
is good. Because Kumbo is now ruled by a Mayor
who undertakes major development schemes, the
Fon should work closely with him to achieve our
common goals.
I do recollect that it was Mvondo Ayissi, then
Minster of State for the Interior who advised
President Ahidjo to destroy or weaken the Local
Government structures in order to strengthen the
Central Administration. Now the error they
committed for political expediency needs to be
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corrected by the policy of decentralization which is
some form of reversal towards the Local
Government system.
Become a good Nso person and you are a good
Cameroonian:
About the concept of good citizenship Tata Lainjo
would like to encourage all Nso youths to
endeavour first to be good Nso’ people before they
can become good Cameroonians. They should learn
about their society, its history and evolution and
remain engrained in their cultural roots. However,
they must also carry modern development back
home in a meaningful manner.
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TRIBUTE TO V.T. LAINJO
THE CHILDREN OF LATE F.N AJEBE-SONE
You have fought a good fight. You have finished the
race and you have kept faith. You now deserve a
good rest in your father’s bosom.
V.T. Lainjo was a household name in the Ajebe-Sone
family. Barely two years later, V.T. has gone to meet
Francois, as they fondly called each other. We are
sure both are concerting on behalf of the families
and children you have left behind. You shared so
much in common, and we always saw much of our
father in you; politicians with impeccable integrity.
The fear of the Lord ruled your political lives and
made your reputation untarnished. Simple but full
of majestic qualities: Honesty, Eloquence,
Experience, Knowledge, Wisdom and a photographic
memory are all qualities both of you exhibited.
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Even in your frail state, you visited your friend in the
mortuary. Little did we know that two of you will
meet to part no more in 2010.
Both of you
lived complete, fulfilled and
accomplished lives here on earth. We know for sure
that you will continue with the bond of friendship
you cherished so much, in the celestial kingdom.
We promise on our part to inherit, treasure and
keep these fraternal ties forever unshaken.
Go in peace and may you find rest in the bosom of
God almighty. Extend our love to Papa and Mama.
ADIEU
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Lainjo family wishes to acknowledge with deep
appreciation the many expressions of love, concern
and kindness shown to them during this period of
bereavement. May the Good Lord grant you
travelling mercies to your various destinations.
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REMAIN ABUNDANTLY BLESSED
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HIS MESSAGE TO FAMILIES
“Parents – love and nurture your children”; VT
believed that the country’s future is in the hands of
young people, and parents must take seriously their
parental duties of personally supervising the
education of their children up to the highest level
possible. “Brothers and sisters – forgive one
another, because forgiveness liberates you from
stress and makes room for positive energy and
creative thinking”. In VT’s words, “make your homes
homely and communities friendly, keep out hatred
and revenge
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