Thousands of mourners converged on the Great Soppo Palace in Buea on Saturday to bid a final farewell to His Royal Majesty Chief Emmanuel Etina Monono, the late traditional ruler of Great Soppo, whose nearly three decades on the throne were marked by peace, unity and service to his people.
The official funeral ceremony drew an impressive gathering of traditional authorities, government officials, family members and well-wishers from across the Southwest Region and beyond. Among those in attendance were the Paramount Chief of Buea, the Mayor of Buea, the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako Division, numerous traditional rulers from across the Southwest and other parts of the country, as well as members of the Regional Assembly and House of Chiefs.
In keeping with Bakweri tradition, businesses across the Great Soppo Chiefdom remained closed as residents observed the funeral rites and paid their last respects to the revered monarch.
Speaker after speaker described Chief Monono as a humble, peaceful and unifying leader whose calm disposition enabled him to work harmoniously with government authorities, fellow traditional rulers and members of his community regardless of differences. They praised his inclusive leadership style, noting that he always placed dialogue, reconciliation and the welfare of his people above personal interests.
Born in 1950 to Otto Ewumbua Monono and Christiana Oke of Bimbia, Chief Monono received his education in Victoria, Soppo, Bamenda, Kumba, Wum, Muyuka and Besongabang before travelling to England in 1973 for further studies. There, he obtained A-Level qualifications, a Diploma in Nursing and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and History from Manchester Polytechnic.
Upon returning to Cameroon, he joined the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), where he held several senior management positions, including Supplies Manager, Director of Human Resources, Acting Director of Medical and Health Services, and later Attaché to the General Manager.
In 1999, he ascended the throne as the 10th Chief of Great Soppo Mokongo, succeeding a distinguished royal lineage from which at least 18 Bakweri villages trace their origins. During his reign, he served in the Buea, Fako and Southwest Chiefs’ Conferences, sat in the Southwest Regional House of Chiefs, and chaired the NASLA Tenders Board.
Chief Monono was also remembered for championing community development initiatives, notably the “Palace Kitchen”, which provided food and support to vulnerable members of the community.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Fleur Dikao Monono, children, grandchildren, siblings, relatives, traditional councillors and the people of Great Soppo, who say they have lost not only a traditional ruler but also a father, peacemaker and development-minded leader whose legacy will endure for generations.
