Traditional Leadership
John Elufa Manga-Williams has been crowned the new Paramount Chief of Limbe, SouthWest Region of Cameroon.
This first class traditional ruler was recently presented to the public during a colorful ceremony.
The coronation of HRM John Elufa Manga Williams, which lasted five days, from June 8-12, 2022, took place 17 years after the death of his father, the late Chief Ferguson Bill Manga Williams, who died on July 9, 2005
Over 5000 people including some Cameroon Members of Government attended the public presentation event, last Saturday June 11, at the Limbe Centenary Stadium.
The delegation of senior government officials was led by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji. Others were Prof. Nalova Lyonga, Minister of Secondary Education, Talba Malla, Minister of Public Contracts and Paul Tasong, Minister Delegate in the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development. HRM John Elufa Manga Williams is a businessman, married and a father of three.
Opposition to Choice of Paramount Chief
Chief Kinghi Liwoto of Efolofo Village in Meme Division, who fiercely opposed Mr.John Elufa’s enthronement as Paramount Ruler and even filed a legal suit to that effect, claimed the latter hails from Bimbia and has nothing to do with the Limbe chieftaincy stool.
According to Chief Kinghi, only someone from the Bambuko clan has the right to become Paramount Chief of Limbe.
His legal action against the enthroned Paramount Chief of Limbe is still to be determined at the Administrative Court, Yaoundé.
A few days to the coronation of Chief John Elufa, challenger Chief Kinghi likened him to a stranger, at a press conference he convened in Limbe to inform the public about his suit, which is challenging the Prime Ministerial Order of January 13, 2022 that recognized John Elufa as first class traditional ruler of Limbe.
But during his coronation, Chief John Elufa noted: “It is a pleasant coincidence that some 64 years ago, my grandfather, the first Paramount Chief of Limbe, late Chief John Nambeke Manga Williams [Order of British Empire]OBE, poured libation on these grounds during celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the town of Victoria, that is from 1858 to 1958, thus the naming of this stadium as Centenary Stadium. History thus has repeated itself today with the historic coronation of the grandson of that great man Chief John Nambeke Manga Williams OBE who himself was the grandson of the venerated King Williams of Bimbia who gave this land to the British Missionaries led by Alfred Saker in 1858 for the founding of this town, which was named after the then Queen Victoria of England… the town of Limbe, former Victoria is not a mistake..
“.. Limbe is a land of opportunities but that does not and will never give it the status of a “no man’s land’. Limbe is owned by a group of people. People with a history, people with a past and a future. People who understand the language of peace, unity, love and affection.’’
The coronation activities kickstarted with an ecumenical service at the Limbe Community as about 50 clergy people prayed to God to protect the new Paramount Chief and his family,.
An MTN Cameroon-sponsored, two-category canoe race with theme ‘Rekindling the flames of our cultural heritage” animated the second day .Bimbia won the 1st position; Botaland, 2nd and Ndame Island occupied the 3rd position in the men’s category. For the women, Bimbia was the lone team. The winners smiled home with cash prizes. The third day was the traditional coronation with Chiefs of Fako,Moungo Division(Littoral Region of Cameroon) and Kribi (South Region of Cameroon) in attendance.
Chief Samuel Epupa Ekum of Dikolo Village led the pouring of libation, evoking ancestors to guide the new chief in his leadershi
Bakweri cultural dance groups such as Male and Nganya thrilled the population that converged on the Jungle Village, Limbe Botanic Garden to enjoy every bit of the ceremony.
Speeches of the City Mayor, Paul Efome Ngalle; Julius Namme, Board Chair of Fako America and Luma Haddison , chair of the Coronation organizing committee ,all pointed to the determination of Limbe indigenes to revamp their culture.
In his response, Chief Manga Williams thanked all who made the coronation a success .He announced plans for the construction of a cultural museum and a modern multi-purpose cultural center in Limbe.
