Tribute To Dr. Backe Itoe

By Justice G.O. MUKETE

 The news of your demise pierced my heart like a sword. “No, it can’t be true, it can’t be true,” I screamed. To me, it was hard to believe because just the Sunday before you passed on that Sunday, the 6th June 2021, I had visited you in your residence at Miss Bright street Bomaka Buea.

Yes, you were sick but there was nothing to suggest to me you were to leave this world. We were all waiting to see you get better soon .Ah yes, that is the mystery surrounding death. We know neither the day nor the hour.

Your death is a great loss to the family, the tribe and the nation. Your academic attainment (coming home with a Ph. D.) inspired many Balue boys and girls and gave them hope that they too can make it to the top even from a humble beginning like yours.

You will be remembered as Dr.Backe who encouraged many A∕L holders to come to the University of Buea and enroll to do Banking and Finance. You taught Banking and Finance and your passion for the subject led you to found the Sawa Credit Union and became its founder and President.

To you the whole business world revolves around Banking and Finance. Students and Corporators will miss your master’s touch.

You will be missed by the family especially the children who will hardly get used to living without you at a time when their mother is overseas.

As for some of us your friends we will miss your in-depth analysis of social, economic and political events. Your contributions to such issues were not only pertinent but very educative and profoundly exhaustive.

When you came back to Cameroon after your studies, you evinced a burning desire to do politics and you immediately joined the political train at the next railway station. You made enormous sacrifices to attend all CPDM political rendez−vous wherever and whenever even at the expense of your health. You exited the political scene as a councilor of the Dikome Balue Council.

As a childhood friend, Ivo, I will miss you forever. Your transition has occurred at a time when I am also old and might not live long enough to see the children you have left go through their education. I will do the little I can while am still alive.

Adieu Ivo, Adieu Doc.