CI-NEWS

Likomba History revisited.

2019-09-24

No: 448

Likomba History revisited.

By Nyenty Egbeachang

Fresh facts have now emerged to show that the geographical space of Tiko, in Fako Division, had long been defined by Government, this media organ has learnt.

Speaking at a Consultative Meeting with kingmakers of Likomba as far back as July 27, 1988 for the appointment of a new chief, kingmaker Ngomba Lyonga Joseph Molombe, from Bonduma in Buea, narrated the history of the founder of Likomba and Tiko town. He stated that “Likomba” means “Forest” and that the founder was Joke Malove Malisonge from Molyko, a hunter.

He made the forest of Likomba his regular hunting ground and one day, following the Ndongo Water, reached the Beach where he met with the first fishermen and gave the name of that place “Keka” which is today known as “Tiko”. Joke Malove Malisonge, he said, was the founder of Likomba and Tiko. Ngomba Lyonga further said by extension, his family should claim ownership of the traditional stool of Likomba and Tiko combined, adding that since chieftaincy in Bakweri land is hereditary, Joke Johnannes Vako II’s chiefdom, therefore, spans across Likomba through to the Beach, now Tiko since “Keka” or Tiko is Beach per se. As such, its geographical space is restricted to the Beach alone; thus, Tiko landscape does not and can never commence from Likomba roundabout as it is erroneously believed by misguided minds. It begins and ends at the Beach and that is it.

In his response to the welcome address, the then D.O of Tiko reminded everyone present – The Commissioner of Public Security, Tiko; Representative of Commandant; the President YCPDM Sub Section; Kingmakers of Likomba Chiefdom; and members of Vako family that he was representing the interests of both natives and non-natives in Likomba and Tiko Sub Division as a whole.

He then disclosed the purpose of the meeting which he said was to have consultative talks with the king makers with view to filling the vacant stool left by their late Chief Thomas Mongamba Vako Joke. The qualification of a chief, going by Decree No. 77/243 of July 9, 1077 chapter II paragraph 3, the Divisional Officer told them, must be that: A. He much be physically fit; B. Be of good conduct and Moral; C. He must be able to read and write; and D. He must be appointed by the Prefect after consultations with the competent elders, the administrator added. Come Consultative Talks proper, the five kingmakers who spoke were unanimous on the choice of he who should be custodian of tradition in Likomba. They testified that Malove Malisonge from Molyko founded Likomba therefore the chieftaincy of Likomba is from that lineage and that Vako was to be the next Chief. So it happened that all the kingmakers – Mr. Jonde Molombe of Likomba, Nyango Ikala Njie from Likomba, Tata Nicholas Vako Joke, Mr. Ngomba Lyonga Joseph Malombe of Bonduma, Chief Esuka Joke of Molyko – proposed Johnannes Vako Joke as the new Chief of Likomba, with the title of Chief Vako Joke II. All hail, therefore, Chief Joke Johannes Vako II, the traditional ruler of Likomba; that stretches to the Beach (Tiko) as one goes along Ndongo Water.

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Likomba History revisited.