King Ethel, Land Registrar, Manyu Division.The death of Senator Nfor Tabetando Ndiep Nso has sent waves of grief across Manyu Division in Cameroon’s South West Region, marking the latest in a series of losses that have shaken the community’s leadership foundations.
Confirmed on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in her Buea residence in the Southwest region, the senator’s passing has prompted reflection not only on her life but also on the future of a region that has, in recent times, lost several of its most influential figures.
Among those responding is Mrs. Egbe Ethel Etah, widely known as King Ethel, a senior public official and business leader who says the moment demands both honesty and direction. Speaking from her Fededral Quarters neighbourhood, she described the loss as “deeply symbolic,” noting that it comes at a time when Manyu is already adjusting to the absence of key voices.
“This is not just about grief,” she said. “It is about understanding what their absence means for us as a people and what responsibility it places on those who remain.”
King Ethel serves as Land Registrar for the Manyu Division and is also a Senior Guidance Counsellor, philanthropist, and Chief Executive Officer of King Ethel Empire. Her perspective reflects a generation now stepping into spaces once occupied by long-standing figures of authority and influence.
Senator Tabetando, according to her, had built a reputation as a steady and measured leader, combining national legislative responsibilities with traditional authority in a way that few could. His presence was often associated with stability, particularly during periods of tension in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, where calls for dialogue and restraint were critical.
His passing, King Ethel laments, follows that of Chief Emmanuel Tabi Egbe, remembered as a central figure in Cameroon’s political evolution, and Professor Peter Agbor-Tabi, a former minister of Higher Education who played a key role in shaping the country’s modern university system. The death of Professor Ako Edward Oben, known as Teddy Ako, further compounded the sense of loss, given his influence in both academic and community development circles.
Taken together, these departures have created a moment of reckoning for Manyu, raising questions about leadership continuity and institutional memory.
For King Ethel, the concern is not simply about replacing individuals but about preserving the values they represented. She notes that each of the late leaders carried a distinct form of influence, whether through governance, education, or community development, and that their combined absence leaves a noticeable gap.
“They were reference points,” she said. “People looked to them for guidance, for clarity, for reassurance. That kind of presence cannot be recreated overnight.”
Yet she is cautious about framing the situation purely in terms of loss. In her view, the transition also opens space for renewal, provided it is approached with discipline and unity. “There is a tendency to wait for another strong figure to emerge,” she explained. “But the real task is to build systems that allow leadership to grow collectively, not depend on a single person.”
As a veteran guidance counsellor, she places particular emphasis on the role of young people, arguing that the future of Manyu will depend on how effectively the next generation is prepared to lead. She believes that mentorship, education, and structured opportunities must now take centre stage.
The mood across Manyu remains one of mourning, with tributes continuing to highlight the contributions of those who have passed. But alongside the sorrow is a growing awareness that the region is entering a new phase, one defined not only by memory but also by expectation.
For King Ethel, the path forward is clear, even if the journey is not. “We honour them best not by words alone,” she said, “but by ensuring that what they stood for does not disappear with them.”
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