North West Region: Revisiting The Legacy Of Lamido Issa Demnsa

The Fulani/Mbororo community in Cameroon is still mourning one of its leading traditional rulers, the Lamido of Wat in Nkambe Central Subdivision, Donga-Mantung Division of North West Region. He was one of only two Lamidos in the North West Region (the other being the Lamido of Sabga in Mezam Division). Though his kingdom covers Donga-Mantung Division, the huge influence of late Lamido Issa Demnsa, a First Class traditional ruler, spread far beyond North West Region.   

12-Year Reign Closes 
Lamido Issa Demnsa reigned for 12 years, dying at the age of 75 years on Friday, May 12, 2023 in Ndu Baptist Health Centre in Donga-Mantung Division - two weeks after taking ill. He leaves behind four wives, 35 children and 65 grand children. He succeeded his father, Lamido Demnsa Budi, the pioneer Lamido of Wat, in 2011. Demnsa Budi became Ardo (a junior Mbororo traditional chief) in 1968. And was later on promoted Lamido in 1996 - alongside the Lamido of Sabga. Lamido Budi died in 2011 at the age of 102 years after reigning as Ardo for 28 years, and Lamido for 15 years. 

Mourned By All And Sundry
Meanwhile, hundreds of mourners have been trooping to Lamido Issa Demnsa’s palace at Wat, some 22 km from Nkambe, the Donga-Mantung divisional headquarters. Amongst them was the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Donga-Mantung, Nkweti Simon Ndoh. “Lamido Issa Demnsa was a hardworking person who regularly attended official meetings. He was a lover of peace, unity and development,” Nkweti Simon noted. Accompanied by the Divisional Officer for Nkambe Central Subdivision, Mr. Boukar, the Mayor of Nkambe, Musa Shey Nfor, and security chiefs, the SDO visited Wat on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Meanwhile, other condolence delegations have come as far as from Adamawa and East Regions of Cameroon. As well as the people of Nwangri village where Lamido Demnsa settled. 

A Man Of Great Initiatives 
“Lamido Issa Demnsa was a very peaceful person who was full of great initiatives. This was seen in the peaceful manner he resolved farmer-grazer conflicts. As evidence that this was registered in heaven, Lamido Issa Demns...