Referee Ngale Njuma Fabrice: When Football Meets Tradition In Bokwaongo

Cameroon topflight referee Sango Ngale Njuma Fabrice has earned recognition beyond the football field this time within the royal courts of his native Membea-Bokwaongo Chiefdom in Buea.

In a royal act signed on Thursday, October 30, 2025, His Majesty AJANEYA Albert Njie Mbonde, the 5th Monarch of Bokwaongo, appointed 30 pioneer notables to support his vision of a progressive and united chiefdom. Among them is Njuma, whose journey intertwines sport, culture, and community service.

Known for his composure and authority in the Cameroon Elite One championship, Njuma is also a dedicated member of the Nganya Dance group, a traditional ensemble that preserves Bokwaongos cultural essence.

For locals, his dual commitment officiating top-tier football and performing ancestral dance symbolises the meeting point between modern ambition and cultural loyalty.

Njumas appointment places him among a distinguished group of personalities including Bishop Michael Bibi of the Diocese of Buea, Rev Dr Teke John Ekema, Executive President of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, and Rev Thomas Elive Mokoko, Secretary of the Fako South Presbytery.

Also featured is Dr Ndive Thomas Molungu, former FECAFOOT Southwest President and former Victoria United OPOPO President one of the most influential sports and community figures in the South West Region. A respected administrator and development advocate, Dr Molungu is already a notable of the Limbe Chiefdom and now joins the ranks of Bokwaongos traditional council, a rare dual distinction that underscores his regional influence.

The list also includes Sango Nekoli Martin Moliki, a selfless community member living with hearing and speech impairments Dr Julius Monangai Ikome, a former contender for the throne and Thomas Menyoli, Managing Director of Fako Ship.

Barely four months into his reign, His Majesty AJANEYA Albert Njie Mbonde has made development the cornerstone of his leadership. Under his direction, Bokwaongo has witnessed the restoration of electricity, the extension of water supply, the installation of solar lamps, and the distribution of sanitation materials.

In his accompanying statement, the Monarch described the newly appointed notables as men and women of dignity and integrity whose shared developmental vision will help build a futuristic Membea-Bokwaongo.

Njumas story captures a broader movement among Cameroons young professionals who proudly embrace both their modern careers and traditional responsibilities.

As the referees whistle meets the rhythm of the Nganya drum, Fabrice Njuma stands as a symbol of cultural continuity and national pride a man bridging the worlds of sport, heritage, and community leadership.