BIOGRAPHY OF LATE HON. CHIEF FORTEH ATEGWA JOHN
It is often said that there is a time to live and a time to die but we will always have liked this statement to be the reversed when some very special to people passes away. Yes one such very special Lebialem figure of our time is HRH Hon. Chief Forteh Ategwa John. He remains the pillar of Lebialem education. Most who are proud to be in very high positions today were inspired by him.
Who was Honourable Chief Forteh
Hon. Chief Forteh was the most influential Ndungatet man that has ever existed. He was the pioneer principal of Grammar School Fontem. A story is told how he went round begging the indigents of the then Fontem Subdivision to send their children home for school when he took office as the principal. Remember at that time very few parents could afford to send their children in Seat of Wisdom. He convinced certain parents against their will to send their children to school. The results was that many children left the coffee and cocoa farms and got admitted into Grammar School Fontem. Some were admitted without first School and many are well placed today. For this reason he is widely considered as a pillar for education in Lebialem Division.
After leaving G.S.S Fontem, he worked in Dschang for many years. In 1988, he opened a lay private college in Ndungatet village called
In 1992 he won the lone parliamentary seat for Lebialem division into the prestigious Cameroon House of assembly under the ticket of UNDP. During his five year term of office, he fought for the creation of Lebialem division as well as many primary and secondary colleges in Lebialem division just to mention a few though amidst critic form some quarter a reflection of human altitudes.
In 1997 he lose his parliamentary seat and was immediately appointed assistant director of small and medium size enterprises at the ministry of Commercial and industrial development. Due to his hard work, in 1999, he was appointed director of commerce in the same ministry where he served until 2004 when he retired and took up permanent residence in this chiefdom at Njah Ndungatet Fondom.
In 2005, following the disappearance of the Fon of Ndungatet, he was made chairman of the regency council until 25th February 2006 when the New Fon was enthroned. This was another great achievement for him and the entire village.
In 1996, he wrote a book on the history of Ndungatet, as an effort to preserve our rich history to the younger generations.
Hon. Chief Forteh until his death remained the most influential Ndungatet elite. A story is told of how the entire village came out and lined the streets from `mami water` till three corners to receive him when he was returning from abroad in the mid eighties. Such an honoured has never been accorded any Ndungatet elite in particular and Nweh in general except politically motivated.
Amongst the chiefs, he was very influential and contributed positively to certain decisions for the progress and development of the village.
Many will believe that as a human being, he had his short comings. Indeed he had them just like any human being but his achievements surpass and this made him an inspiration power house of our community.
After a job well done, it was time for him to enjoy his retirement and to take stock of his achievements; he was taken up by illness which finally ended his journey on earth.
Hon. Chief Forteh leaves behind his wife (senior educationist and church leader) with whom he had three children (two boys and girl) who all living abroad.
The entire Ndungatet community will live to remember him.
May his soul rest in peace!!
HRH CHIEF FONKWETTA
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