The Three key words that could describe the Nso Family union (NFU)- Europe Convention are: Successful, wonderful and Great.

Nso Family union (NFU) – Europe whose Headquarters is in Hvidovre Municipality- Denmark is the Platform Organisation for all the Nso Groups and people in Europe. One of the main objective is to unite, promote and show case the cultural heritage of the people of that Kingdom. It also has some developmental goals which is achieved through culture and unity.

Meeting at the 3rd annual convention this time around in Frankfurt Germany, an event that pulled close to 300 participants started on friday the 15th with a gala football match between Cameroonians in Germany against the rest of Nso folks from Europe. The football match which the NFU-Europe trashed the German team by 9-3 was spiced by animation, meeting news faces and stadium dinner. Worth Noting that the convention was hosted by all the 4 German-Nso groups. The Bihkong based in Stuttgart, The Bongatati in the North, The Bongbati in Berlin and the Bongkong in the Frankfurt area.  Their leaders amongst which, Andrew Bankui, Ngo Banjika, Dr Nyuyki & Martin Shiyla respectively all worked with the media house Leh films by Dr Floribert Ngwan and our two publicity team Mr ngoran Elias & Shey Berinyuy to make this dream come true.

The Friday event was crowned by two important items, the amendment of the constitution moderated by Mr Ngoran Elias from Belgium and Andrew Bankui from Germany. Here, all Nso present made voices heard and took decisions on how they want their darling NFU-Europe be guided and guarded. The last item for the night was the usual “Ntangri” carried out by the Traditional rulers asking the intervention and guidance of the Ancestors for a successful convention which really was.

The success of the Convention gave a good flavor when the head of the Committee “Shufai” Martin Shiyla kick started at the statdium welcome the guests in a grand style on friday and on saturday during the official opening led with prayers Fengai Mbuy from Switzerland. The Head of the Adcom, Shey Gamsi Damasuis briefed the delegates with a compendium of events that led to the realization of the convention in Frankfurt, sending words of appreciation to his two collaborators, Shey Divine Dufe and Banjika Ngo Gilbert who were bereaved and could not make it to the convention.

Saturday 16th was a full day as delegates had their breakfasts as early as they could. The morning activities became so fun and flexible that the joy of meeting long old time friends, families, making new friends was the honor of the participants. The saturday program was coordinated and “MC’ed” by our able lady Thecla Mbunwe.

Two great talks were presented: one on the Nso Culture by Prof. Keller a German, who after her research in Nso thrilled the crowd on the concept of child care and what the Nso parents have to teach the Germans on how to bring up their kids despite the lack of modern facilities.

The second was from an NFU member Mrs Ngamsha Victorine a motivational speaker who gave a life time experience and instilled hope to the listeners. She called on forgiveness highlighting the advantages we enjoy when we learn to forgive.

The local organisations met in groups and had their deliberations, nominating and selecting candidates for the elections. This was closely followed by the elections proper coordinated by Shey Tatah Wo Scandy. At the time of the elections and roll call on saturday afternoon, 14 countries were present but only 12 of those countries were allowed to select candidates for the elections. The countries that were present by then, but not allowed to vote were Cameroon and Canada since they came as guests. Other 12 countries with selection and voting rights were;  Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Louxenburg, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

The Longsi heated the hall to motivate the candidates for the elections.

The elections democratically conducted had the following winners:

 

Position	Name	Country
President:	Shey Damasuis Gamsi	UK
Vice President	Shey Dufe Divine	Holland/Belgium
Secretary General	Ngo Gilbert Banjika	Germany
Vice Secretary	Thecla Mbunwe	Belgium
Treasurer	Lydienne Fenlai Ngo	Denmark
Financial Secretary	Ngwang Guillaume	Switzerland
Publicity Secretary	Dr Floribert Ngwan	Germany

Before the Installation of the new Exco, the kids stole the show with their talents. This can not be expressed in words but will be updated with the videos. One kid was able to recite the Nso History from start to finish, keeping the hall flabergasted. Other kids recited meaningful messages but at the same time entertained the hall. All that one could hear from the audience was…WoW..

The Great kids show dragged their parents from the “Mban” (a secret room, reserved only for masquarades) to present a special dance referred to as the Menang. The dressing of this menang  is completely different and often known for its romantic dancing styles.

Then came that moment of truth, The installation of the New Exco coordinated by the election head Shey Tatah.  Ushered to the stage by Litika Marie and Angela Viban and followed by the population was the relevation of the winner to the  long awaited position of the President.  He was accompanied to the stage by a crowd of happy participants. The name was never revealed but he was already picked up by the anxious crowd that worked on Rumor. This was in itself a sign of great acceptance.

The women dance did not allow the new exco to stand alone. They led a befitting dance (Toh) to bid congrats to the newly elected board and to let them know that NFU-Women are strongly behind them. The way the president was welcomed by the crowd had no other second message than, “We love you and accept you with all our hearts”.

The Kikum ke Belgium was not left, they joined the population to entertain not only the crowd but exhibited their total support to the new NFU Exco. What was so perculiar about this Kikum is the fact that it performed with the first ever “Ngon” in Europe.

The last cultural activity to close the evening event was the expected but most dreaded Nontang dance from the Scandy palace that took close to two months to trek from Ta mbve to Frankfurt. This time Nontang was so spectacular and performed in a very unusual way to the extend that it had to be carried away from the stage to reduce the level “pain and fright” experienced by our guests.

The Gala night slated for 11.30 pm started around midnight with the Nso artist Chris Sunjo performing one of his famous songs and raising some funds for the Union to stand on its feet. Almost all the guests and participants took to the stage to drop a penny for NFU-Europe as everyone was happy with the activities. The president was again supported by the traditional rulers to chip a token on the stage which was closely followed by the reading of the Fon’s message to the audience by Shey Emmanuel Berinyuy. His Majesty the Fon of Nso Sehm Mbinglo I appreciated and encouraged the Union to be a uniting force in Europe going beyond the boarders to bring every Nso son and daughter under the local associations and then to one platform NFU-Europe.

He regretted that due to some other commitments, he could not make it to the Convention but promised to attend one in the subsequent years.

The Nso people being very cultural, are also very religious. That is why they got up early despite the gala to give thanks to God during the Eucharist. The main celebrant Fr Clifford Ndi, co-celebrants Fr Gerard Jumbam all the way from Rome and Rev Deacon Ngamsha Nguru from the UK joined the Nso people to say  a Big Thank you for a successful Convention.

Rev Father Jumbam in his homily hammered on the need to unite and to live heaven on earth. He reiterated that Christians should be ready at anytime and live a good and enjoyable life not in the past, future but in the present so as to enjoy paradise. He understood the challenges one could face in organising such events but felt it was necessary as it gave room for him to realize and enjoy his own “Heaven” and to commune with the his own people he lost track for the last two years.

The Convention BBQ continued thereafter. Meeting of old mates and making of new characterized the BBQ. Delegates left the convention ground with no major incidents reported except for one Bongkong member from Germany that took ill. The security was high, no fights recorded, the convention ground recorded no negativity. By 10 pm the BBQ ground was deserted for bye bye Frankfurt and see you in Zurich -Switzerland August 2015

By

Shey Tatah Sevidzem (Wo Scandy)