Traditional rulers from the four corners of the national territory have hailed the legacy of former Prime Minister, Simon Achidi Achu, whom they described as a man with boundless generosity. They were speaking Sunday 13 June 2021 during a ceremony to pay tribute and bid farewell to the fallen political figure.
Judith Yah Sunday espe Achidi Achu thanking traditional rulers for sharing in their grieve
The traditional custodians said the ceremony was organized in order to permit them pay their last respect to the man respected by all before the arrival of the corpse since tradition forbids them from getting closer to corpses during funerals.
In his welcome address to the traditional rulers and Queen Mothers at the Yaounde residence, the representative of the family, Jude Achu, thanked traditional custodians for taking the initiative to visit and share in the grieve of the family.
He told the traditional rulers that Achidi Achu was a humanitarian guru who dedicated his life to serve others despite his high offices. He saluted the immense contribution of Judith Yah Sunday, one of the wives of their father, towards the smooth organization of the burial billed for 3 July 2021.
Taking to the rostrum one after the other, the traditional rulers and Queen mothers shared fun memories of Achidi Achu. Fon Teche who doubles as former President of North West Fons’ Union described the death of Pa Achidi as a big loss for the nation he serve wholeheartedly. He said Achidi is on record to have visited all the villages of the two English-speaking regions while serving as PM, preaching peace and unity to all.
Teche appreciated the efforts of Mafor Judith Yah Sunday having taken the lead in organizing the funeral. He urged the entire family to rally behind her in order to give the late statesman the burial deserving of his person.
Fon Chafah on his part described Achidi as one who served as father to everyone he came across with boundless generosity in assisting underprivileged kids through education alongside many other humanitarian activities. He said aside assisting the needy, the former PM never failed in any of the daunting tasks assigned him by the Head of State, Paul Biya. Chafah enjoined all and sundry to borrow a leaf from the life of Achidi to do good to anyone whenever the opportunity shows up.
Fon Yakum Kevin Teuvih in a tribute delivered on behalf of North West Fons said Achidi Achu’s legacy centered on love, care, generosity for humanity. He called on God to grant the family the wisdom to be able to live up to his legacy and to carefully pilot the activities he left behind. The representative of NW Queen Mothers of their part described late Achidi as a man of peace, lover of the people from the grassroots and all background.
On behalf of SW Chiefs, Senator Nfor Tabe Tando said Pa Achidi was broad-based person who earned the title ‘Star from God’ when he first visited Kembong in Manyu Division and delivered a powerful speech to the population. He described him as one who was committed throughout his political path and career with unmatched humility and maturity that gained him respect nationwide.
The representatives of Chiefs from the South and Centre regions on their part described Achidi as one who was hailed and respected by all traditional authorities for his values including fight for unity, peace, living together and social cohesion which he reached everywhere he visited in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Judith Yah Sunday, GM of CAMTEL, who one of wives left behind by Achidi, appreciated all the traditional rulers and queen mothers for taking time to join the family in mourning their husband, father, grandfather. She said the action of the chiefs only goes to show that Pa Achidi did not only belong to them as family but to everybody.
Efforts of Judith Yah Sunday towards a succesful organisation of the funeral of former PM Achidi hailed by traditional rulers
Yah Sunday used the opportunity to appreciate the gesture made by President Paul Biya 15 years back when he ordered medical evacuation for the late Achidi during a critical illness as well as supports gotten from government to handle his medical bills for over a year since he left treatment in the US.
The Man Simon Achidi Achu
Born 5 November 1934, Achidi Achu died 4 May 2021 at 87 in California, USA. The corpse of the late PM is expected to arrive Cameroon June 30 while burial is programme for Saturday 3 July 2021 in Santa. He goes down as one of those who have made significant contributions in fashioning modern day Cameroon. He became MP in 1992 shortly before his appointed as PM by President Biya 9 April 1992, a position he held till 19 September 1996.
He is credited for using his administrative experience and political savvy to calm the political storms brought about by the introduction of the multi-party politics and post-election uprising in the early 1990s. Achidi served as magistrate from October 1956 to 1966.
The former student of CPC Bali served as State Inspectorate in 1968, Secretary General in the Ministry of Civil Service in 1971, Minister Delegate for State Inspection and later Minister of Justice of the First Reunification government formed in 1972. The diehard CPDM party bigwig and member of the party’s central committee was appointed Chairman of the National Investment Corporation in 2003 and in 2004 served as member of the national commission for the coordination of President Biya’s campaign during the presidential election.
Traditional dances graced the event
He was elected Senator in 2013 and later got the post of Vice President at the Senate Bureau. He is credited for playing a pivotal role in the creation of the General Certificate of Education, GCE, Board after facing pressure from Anglophones who wanted him to preserve the Anglo-Saxon education system.
By Doh Bertrand Nua
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