We thank you for being with us all these years. We thank you for all your assistance and love, it is true we love you but God love you most. May you have a good stay in heaven. Emambu Melanie M. (Bamenda)
It was with unbelievable shock and grief that I learnt of your unprecedented demise in Lagos. The sad and sorrowful news of your death fell like a thunder storm, sending shockwaves across the national territory and beyond. Ever since the awful news hot the airwaves many people have continue to stigmatize the dare-devil called death and to ask dimmable questions why you should be cut in your own prime.
The Good Lord who gave you to us decided to take you into his heavenly kingdom and for this reason we chose not to cry again. Instead we shall continue to pray for the repose of your soul in the Lord and that is why we say farewell to you as you embark on your journey to the celestial bliss into the Lord's heavenly abode. We loved you but God loves you most.
Adieu Tholo! Brother Innocent F. (Kumba)
Good day everyone. Thanks for making it here today.
Uncle Bartholo was like my father, my big brother and my best friend. I’ve been meaning to say it for some time now but the best thing that ever happened to me was growing and having a father figure to guide and protect me like Uncle Bartholo.
Uncle Bartholo, I still can’t believe your are gone, but God alone knows why. I wish you knew how empty I am and gonna be, but thank God for the best moments of my life, the moments spent with you Uncle Bartholo. I cried so much but decided to stop crying and continue where you left off to make you proud. Thank you for making me what I am today and I know you gonna always protect me and the family. Uncle Bartholo I’ll miss you so much but I pray for a peaceful repose of your soul. Thank you. Epah Sebastian Jr. Nyambi
Tholo
As I always call you where are you? My love, my friend, my Father, my brother where are you? I get up every morning, hoping that this is all just a nightmare yet it seems a reality. This is a bitter truth which I refuse to accept. No doubt for the past 10 years of our relationship we went through good and tough time believing God who is the Ultimate will change things for better but you left without us achieving that. If really your time was up I would have least expected it to be such a painful exit. I pray sincerely that your gentle soul meets our Lord Jesus Christ and I believe you are right now with Him. Regina Ashukem (Kumba)
Uncle Batholo, you were a man of the people, with a huge heart, an open mind and a welcoming smile. You touched my life and that of many in unique ways, and you will be forever remembered with fondness and love. Vera Nkie (Maryland, USA)
The greatest measure of a man’s wealth is his love account not his money account. I have found your philosophies on love and life illuminating. I could only hope I would face life with such grace and humility. I have and always will be a fan. It’s hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember. We can only cry and mourn but not question God as He is the author of all. Missing you get easier every day because even though it is one day further from when we last meet, it is one day closer to the next time we meet again. Farewell Uncle-man.
NSONGHOMANYI FRITZ-ROLAND FONKENG (Limbe)
When I think of how you touched my life, the first word that comes to mind is admiration. Not because you are my uncle but because of your personality. The fact that you shared everything you had no matter how small it was. I remember you telling me how proud you were of me and what I have become and to keep trusting God. I also remember you saying "lockofeellong you say you go fat for your office where the fat they eh njanga". I will miss your ‘corny’ jokes, my uncle, my mentor and inspiration the source of my conviction. Emambu Esembieng (Douala)
My dearest uncle am short of words...but the memories of your kind heart will always remain in my heart...to me your death is a myth. Karen Esembieng Sella (Yaounde, Cameroon)
Friends, loved ones and family. I feel honored and privileged this day to pay tribute to a very special person in my life, my brother Tumbu Fomanka Batholomew herein after, referred to as Tholo.
I am Nsanda Fomanka Simplicius senior brother to Tholo of same parents.We grew up together more as understanding friends than brothers until when I left the country for Europe in 1997.During our youth days;Tholo was remarkable in many ways.He was such a calm and simple young man who had love for his family and friends and was ready to do everything to maintain his good relationship with both groups.
As I began to reach out for the right words to express my thoughts about my brother Tholo, I remembered the many valued and meaningful roles that Tholo played throughout his life.
To start with, I see him as one of the brain behind the success of our family today. Tholo loved his family profoundly. He devoted and sacrificed a great deal to his family and friends. Indeed he was always a family man. More often than not, I observed that the entire family could feel very comfortable staying with him because he took all the roles in his life to heart and he strove to honor, support, guide and most importantly, protect his family. He was at his happiest when he was surrounded by his family-even during those inevitable tough times that life has a way of throwing at you. His devotion to his family was the foundation of his actions-the anchor that defined and shaped his life.
Looking at Tholo as a friend, he was a good friend to so many. He could be counted on and depended on always. He was nicknamed Gabonaise by his friend because of his generosity and readiness to see into the problems of those around him. If all you wanted was a pass the time, pool hall buddy – he was your man; ready, steadfast, willing and good fun. I know for sure, that many will miss the friendship that Tholo brought into their lives and will remember him in various special ways.
Tholo as a man was defiant and unwilling to settle for less. He lived a principled life underpinned by a strong sense of right and wrong. He was outspoken and caused us to know that nothing can be gained from holding grudge or leaving any issue that was very wrong unclear. His strong principles did not allow him to let something wrong stand unchallenged. We can only imagine how much more he could have accomplished in his life were it not for his sudden death.
Tholo was a man of passion and a dedicated supporter, a keen sportsman who loved football and indeed did his utmost to encourage it.
I have to say though that the page in Tholo´s life that I find most memorable is the role that spirituality played. My brother Tholo loved his God. We all knew him as a very private but loving man whose quiet faith guided his actions, words and deeds. He was a true Christian. He strove always to be the best he could be – family man, entrepreneur, brother, friend and champion to others.
Tholo, brother, it is very hard to say goodbye so we will just say so – long.The pages of your book will never be closed, just as the pages of other family members who have left us.
We will remember you through the many people still left behind whose lives you touched so positively. You may not realize it, but you leave an amazing legacy behind for your loved ones. Through these loved ones, you leave this world a better place than when you found it and for that you have to be very proud.
Tholo, brother, we will miss you, but we will always remember you with respect, admiration and love, time after time.
Nsanda Fomanka Simplicius (Stuttgart, Germany)
Adieu, Bartholo! You were truly a soul searching for God and I now believe you have found him. You are alive and your memory will live on in our hearts as we journey with hope to meet you and all the others who have gone ahead into the Promised Land you so longed for. Just ask the Lord to increase our own faith, strengthen our hope and make us love one another even more as we feast your departure to eternity. Angels of God, receive your soul and present you to the Most High God. Amen. (Fr. David Fomanka)
