The Atemangwat of Lewoh Brief Sejour In the US
On August 11, 2018, the HRM the Atemangwat of Lewoh and the entire royal family landed at the JFK international airport in New York at about 1:20pm. The New York branch was on hand to receive the Fon and was led by the National President of LECUDEM USA, Martin Becha. The members, dressed in their purple-like and pink colored lace could be seen with drums, the traditional umbrella for the Fon and other gadgets that were needed to give the Fon a royal reception. Many onlookers at the airport were mesmerized by what they saw and pleased to see who was being accorded that type of a royal reception.
As the Fon stepped out of the airport check point area, his subjects could be seen ululating while at the same time prostrating and greeting in the traditional fashion. This attracted the attention of the airport workers and other passengers and you could hear some of them nodding their heads in affirmation and even whispering that “African culture is still very strong among many Africans”.
As the Atemagwat got out, he was ushered into the immaculate white limousine that was standing by waiting to pick him and family. A convoy then drove straight to the residence of Mafuo Legelebong (Evelyn Fotabong) where there was a crowd of those who were not able to make it at the airport waiting to receive him. This crowd was made up of LECUDEM members, some Jamaican friends, other nationalities and some Cameroonian friends.
MCeed by Paul Ndemalia, the reception started with the Bekems and other elders present greeting the Atemangwat in the traditional way prostrating and clapping their hands twice in three successive intervals. The Bekems could be seen clasping their hats in their armpit while reverentially greeting the Fon. This part of our culture impressed the foreign invitees who gave us a thumb up for still holding strong to our tradition and culture and they thanked us for giving them that opportunity to see it live. Many of them confessed that they have been watching this on movie and thought it was just a make-believe and not real.
In her brief speech, Mafuo Legelebong thanked all those wo answered present to receive her father and the royal family and prays that we continue to live in love and unity. On his part, the National President thanked God almighty for granting the royal family a safe trip to the US. He informed the Fon that LECUDEM USA is aware of the recent attack on the palace and pledge the unflinching support of this organization to guarantee the security, safety and comfort of the Fon in particular and the Lewoh Fondom in general.
Taking the floor, the Fon thanked all those who came to receive him and his family saying he was not expecting such a huge crowd to be here to welcome them. He thus said that he was taken by surprise which he qualified as a pleasant one, for which he is very grateful. He praised the New York Chapter for their uniform which he said makes them stand out right from the airport and at the reception at home. He preached for continuous love, peace and unity among Lewoh sons and daughters in USA in particular and the world at large.
The reception went on to the wee hours of the night.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, the PRO of LECUDEM USA was able to track down the Fon for a brief interview. In the interview, the Atemangwat talked of his visit to the USA, the old and new leadership of LECUDEM USA, the attack on his palace and much more.
It is, however, important to mention that during the Fon’s brief stay, he was able to visit the September 11 memorial and the World Trade Center in downtown New York where he got first hand the effects of the Osama Bin Ladin- led terrorist attack. He also visited the Bronx zoo in New York where he came across different species of animals in this part of the world, most of them endangered. He was also seen leading a very powerful delegation to Kansas to visit the Heart to Heart Foundation head office where he met with the Director and other senior staff and they discussed developmental as well as socio-economic relations and areas of interventions in times of need.
By Nkemndenji (Philip) Fomenky
LECUDEM 2018 Biennial Conference Ends In Grand Style
The 2018 Biennial Conference of the Lewoh Cultural and Development Meeting USA that was billed for June 29 to July 1, 2018 in New York has come and gone. Yet, the ambiance and memories it left in the minds of those who attended and those who were told of the event still linger on. It all started with the arrival of delegates from the different branches like DC Metro Area, Minnesota, New England, Florida and Canada with a warm reception on Friday, June 29, 2018 by the host branch– New York. That set the pace for the eventual kick off of the occasion that evening with the display of different traditional dances that they used to entertain their almost 300 guests. The New York women prepared different traditional dishes like abeh bekang, atemangang, abeh nchi, abeh belliy, etc where guests bought as a way to raise funds and also to have a taste of the traditional cuisine of the lewoh people. The occasion that Friday night was also graced with the presentation and display of self-defense by the Philippines in their characteristic and traditional manner with the use of wooden objects. It thrilled and kept the audience spell bound for all of the 20 minutes allotted to them.
On Saturday June 30, there was the general meeting that saw the presence of some Heart to heart International Foundation delegation, the LECDA National President, Professor Ngesem among other dignitaries. In their presentation, Heart to Heart International emphasized on the need to always be by the Lewoh people and assist them in time of need. They gave their contacts and website and advised all present including those who were not around to always visit it for they are always in need of volunteers to help especially during the period of disaster
The General Assembly took very many major resolutions some of which included a pledge of $1000 to Heart to Heart every year for 10 years, the assistance of $3000 to any permanently disabled member, encouragement of members to join LECDA USA and LECDA life insurance, going to Florida in 2019 for a family reunion with the aim of creating a new branch there.
The high point of the General Assembly was the change of executive and the following people were elected to take over the old executive:
President………………………………………………………… Martin Bacha
Vice President ……………………………………………………Nkemngobeih Martin Tanyifpr
Secretary General ………………………………………………. Shelly Ngosong
Vice Secretary General ……………………………………….…. Fonkwe Desmond
Treasurer………………………………………………………… Kenneth Tajong
Financial Secretary ……………………………………………..Fuanya Marilyn Jingwa
Public Relations Officer ………………………………………….… Nkemndenji Fomenky
Coordinator of Culture ………………………………………….. Nkematem Eugene Nkemngong
Coordinator of Health …………………………………………….. Dr. Anselm Tintinu
Coordinator of Education ……………………………………………… Nkemajap Fombin
Legal Adviser ……………………………… Mrs. Kibong Fondungallah neé Kigham
There was also election at the level of the Board of Trustees. And the following were elected:
Eshuofuo Fuojiawung (Acting Chair), HRH Fuojiawung, Mafuo Ngenyi Prisca, Peter Ngosong, Nkemasongateh Francis Nkwetta, Nkematem Fondungalah, Nkemnkong Fondungallah Steve
The Saturday evening marked the zenith of the occasion and was characterized by that of fund raising and the gala night where the hall in New York was jammed to capacity as each delegate and guests struggle to make his or her presence felt as the event unfolded. To spice this evening the draws for the sales of the raffle tickets were done. The winning prizes were two micro waves, A 32-inch TV, a laptop, among others. Winners emerged primarily from Massachusetts and Florida.
Meanwhile, a new development this year in the biennial conference was the introduction of the health screening exercises where more than 150 people had their vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, heartbeat, pulse) taken and coordinated by Mrs Irene Tajong.
On Sunday, July 1, 2018, the President of the New York Branch, Mrs Nkem Jacinta Fonkem offered a sumptuous breakfast to all delegates and other invitees. Their departure point began from her residence. And with that, the curtain of the 2018 Biennial conference was finally closed!
By Nkemndenji (Philip) Fomenky
