By Francis Tim Mbom
The recently enthroned traditional ruler of Boyar, a neighbourhood in Ndu, Donga Mantung Division, Ta Wifa Ndzishombaa, has called on his kith and kin resident in the Southwest Region to actively be involved in all endeavours geared towards fostering the development of Boyar.
He was speaking in Limbe on Sunday, April 27, during a maiden visit to meet sons and daughters who are members of the Boyar Development and Cultural Association, BODECA, Southwest Region.
Ta Wifa Ndzishombaa said he was elated with the warm reception accorded him and the entourage describing it as a demonstration of exceptional love, support and encouragement. Giving his blessings for BODECA-SWR to continue and grow, he called on those who are still lagging to come out and fully join the meeting, place their hands on the plough and push the development of Boyar ahead. He urged all to bring along their children to meetings so that they can learn the culture and traditions for the sake of posterity.
Prior to the declarations of Ndzishombaa, the Coordinator of BODECA-SWR, Alfred Ndika, said they constitute a branch of BODECA National.
“It happens to be the only branch that carries the region’s name. But the other branches such as BODECA Douala, Bamenda, Yaounde, and so on; carry the names of towns or cities in which they are located.
“BODECA-SWR was created around 2013 and has a membership of about 40 people. Unfortunately, membership recorded during meetings is just about an average of the above figure. The branch is open to sons and daughters as well as other persons resident in the Southwest with roots in Boyar who have interest in fostering the development of the area through the association,” Ndika stated.
He disclosed that they meet on the last Sundays of every month and added that one of the greatest challenges they face is the lukewarm attitude in attending meetings by some of the sons and daughters resident in the Southwest.
“However, we can’t blame them entirely considering the vast nature of the region and the long distances they have to cover like from Kumba, Ekondo-Titi, Idenua, Bakingili, Mamfe, Tombel, Nguti, and so on; to attend meetings in Limbe. This makes monitoring and coordination quite challenging,” he acknowledged.
Ndika said an association like BODECA requires contributions for development back home not only in terms of finances but above all the pooling of ideas to foster development and progress. “So, we are saying that financial contributions should not be the reason keeping some Boyar sons and daughters away from meetings. They should not just be quiet observers but should rather come for us to put our heads together and I can assure them that there will always be a way forward. I want to particularly thank the women who are already coming out in their numbers and encourage some of the men whom we are not seeing to join the fold so that we can build together,” he appealed.
“BODECA-SWR is more or less now like a prodigal son coming from far away. I urge all and sundry to come over and join the morning train for the evening train may be too late. This is because BODECA which was created in 2013, for some obvious reasons, went into slumber. The good news now is that it has been revamped and it has bounced back,” he noted.
Ndika told The Post that they are seriously considering decentralising the venue for the meetings so that Boyar sons and daughters who are found in the various towns or localities of the region can have the opportunity to meet as a family. He said, if this happens, they will then agree on when and where they can come together even once in a year in a general meeting as BODECA-SWR.