Simon Bassilekin laid to rest at Itoundou

Former Finance Minister and National Director of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), Simon Bassilekin, was buried on Saturday in Itoundou (Nefante) in the district of Ndikinimeki of the Mbam and Inoubou department.

His funeral was attended by Maurice Tchoffo Sa'a, Prefect of the Mbam and Inoubou and Personal Representative of the head of state. At his burial, many elites of the town and surrounding family, friends and traditional authorities and members of the government attended, including Jacqueline Kung Bessike, Minister of Lands, Land Registry and Land Affairs, and President of the Organizing Committee.

Maurice Tchoffo Sa'a delivered a compassionate message from the head of state, Paul Biya, to the family of the deceased. Thus on behalf of the head of state the late Simon Bassilekin was given the honour, Grand Cordon of Cameroon Merit, on behalf of the president.

In the various testimonies, speakers described Simon Bassilekin as a rigorous person, tough and generous in his lifetime. The testimony of Jean-Baptiste Beleoken, friend of the deceased for 73 years, was what particularly moved the audience. For him, Cameroon has lost one of its most competent and devoted servants.

Whenever the opportunity came, he wondered "what he could do for the chapel-box in his community." According to Jean-Baptiste, Simon worked for peace and justice. It was this call to the culture of peace and forgiveness that was particularly done during the church service. Aged 82 years, Simon Bassilekin died after a short illness on July 14, 2015 in Yaoundé.