BY SIMON NDIVE KALLA
Ahead of the commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its abolition, slated for August 22 to 23, 2025, at Gilgal Tower in Limbe, local authorities of Limbe III municipality, are so far disassociating themselves from the event and its organiser, Gilgal Tours.
In a separate communique dated Monday, August 18, 2025 signed by Limbe III Council Mayor, Barrister Nseke Dibotti Luma and captioned, Disclaimer on the participation of Limbe III Council in the International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and it abolition organised by GilGAL Tours, Mayor Nseke Dibotti explains that he only saw the programme of the said commemoration on social media platforms, with the organiser purportedly in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Culture, insinuating the Mayor of Limbe III Council’s participation with a talk on the “History of Bimbia as a Slave Port and restoration efforts by stakeholders”.
Mayor Nseke states in the outing that Limbe III Council respects the liberties of anyone intending to participate in the event, but that, “let it be known that the Mayor of Limbe III Council has never given consent to any initiatives by GILGAL Tours, and the inclusion of the Mayor’s name in this program is deemed an unabashed attempt to deceive and also a continuation of the provocative actions of GILGAL Tours and its cohorts, principally Mr. George Mbella of Invest in Limbe.”
“These actions are not only misleading to the international community but are a source of confusion and unnecessary tensions among the people of Bimbia. The priority of Limbe III Council remains the preservation, conservation, and recognition of the Bimbia Slave Trade site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site”, Mayor Nseke Dibotti writes.
He added that Limbe III Council will never support any private exploitative schemes that seek individual gratification, especially from anyone or group that does not recognise the historic and cultural heritage of the people.
“Like some of the other individual bodies that sought to manipulate African-American brothers and sisters of Cameroonian and African descent, we categorically call out GILGAL Tour’s attempts to legitimise its failed cause of commercialising the Bimbia slave trade site through the involvement of Limbe III Council and some unsuspecting members of the Limbe III communities as manipulative and insulting”, the Mayor notes.
He said GILGAL Tours has based its actions on affluence rather than on meaningful dialogue with the municipality and the people. “We hereby reiterate Limbe III Council’s open door policy towards all stakeholders and investors with carefully formulated proposals in collaboration with the municipality and the deserving grassroots population, in accordance with the ongoing decentralisation process” Mayor Nseke Dibotti added.
Meanwhile, in a communique dated August 13, 2025 endorsed by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Bidoung Mkpat, to the South West Regional Delegate of Arts and Culture and CEO GilGal Tours, captioned; Request for Patronage for the Commemoration of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, it reads that:
“Sir, With regards to your letter with the above-mentioned reference and subject matter, I hereby approve the patronage of the Ministry of Arts and Culture for the organisation of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition in Limbe, in the Southwest Region. To this end, the following officials of the Ministry of Arts and Culture have been appointed to represent the Minister at the above-mentioned event, slated to take place from 22 to 23 August 2025, in Limbe.”
The Minister thus invited Ngeh Rekia Nfunfu Epse Mbeume, Inspector General at the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Edjoa Akoa Marie Thierry, Director of Cultural Heritage and Itoe Doris Epse Angoula, Regional Delegate of Arts and Culture South West Region to take part in event.
But the drama is on, as in a letter addressed to His Excellency, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, traditional authorities namely; the Chief of Dikolo village, HRM Epupa Samuel Ekum, the Chairman of Bonabile Chiefdom, Notable Joki Manga, the Chief of Banangombe village, HRM Kingue Musuka and the paramount Chief of Limbe, John Elufa Manga Williams called on Gov’t, UNESSCO, intellectuals and international bodies to disregard issues related to Eric Igwacho and the Bimbia Slave Trade Site, to prevent further escalation, and leave the community in peace during this sensitive period.
“The Bimbia community expresses deep disappointment over the persistent derailing action of Mr. Eric Igwacho of Gilgal Tours concerning the Slave Trade Site in Bimbia. After manipulating the Minister of Culture into a secret ceding of the Bimbia Slave Trade Centre without due protocols, provoking the public protest of January 13, 2025, Eric has been consistent in insulting, sabotaging, and provoking the Bimbia Community in his press outings”, the letter reads.
The communiqué furthers that, “once again, he manifested his diabolical scheme with regard to the Bimbia Slave Trade Site by not involving the community, chiefs, and local authorities, but is believed to have rushed to Yaounde in the same manner as on the 13th of January 2025, to force the hands of the Bimbia Community.”
From a personal perspective, the Chief of Dikolo, HRH Chief Epupa Samuel Ekum has published a disclaimer concerning his name featuring on the programme of the event. According to Chief Ekum who is said to be the oldest traditional ruler in Fako Division, he was never contacted for any event and did not give his consent to it. “I wish to dispel any false impressions and propaganda that the Dikolo people or Chief S.E. Ekum are involved in any project promoted by Gilgal Tours.”
The Bimbia traditional authorities Who have also addressed another letter to H.E. Paul Biya, President of the Republic stating their stance, believe that Eric Igwacho’s moves seemingly in collaboration with certain government members are causing significant concerns, especially during this critical Presidential election period.