To the bereaved Asong family, friends, and sympathizers, it is with a heavy heart but a spirit filled with gratitude that I share these words of remembrance on behalf of the entire Nyambi family. We honor a matriarch, a bridge-builder, and a woman whose quiet strength touched us all, Mami Julien Asong.
Our families’ paths crossed through the union of her son, Njukang, and my niece, Mercy. We clearly remember the journey that brought us here. When Njukang first sought Mercy’s hand, there was understandable protectiveness from our side. We recall the meeting in Muyuka at Big Mami Martha Amboh’s residence. Our matriarch, Mami Martha, was fiercely protective of her granddaughter, wary of the unknown, and hesitant about a marriage outside of a tribe with shared traditions and values.
But it was in that very moment of contention that Mami Julien Asong’s character shone brightest. She, along with Pa Asong, met that hesitation with patience, humility, and respect. It took time, but her genuine spirit won over our family’s elders. Today, I can confidently say that Mami Martha is smiling down from heaven, knowing that the decision to welcome the Asong family was indeed the right one.
As the Nyambi family, our deepest appreciation goes to Mami Asong for how she treated our daughter, Mercy. In our tradition, there is often a delicate balance between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law. Yet, Mami Asong rewrote that narrative. She did not treat Mercy as an in-law; she loved her as her own biological daughter. We watched with delight as they became confidants and best friends. Mercy has told us how Mami was her “gisting partner” and her consoler. We are eternally grateful that our daughter found a second mother in her—a mother who never brought tension into their home but instead brought peace, wisdom, and protection.
We also celebrate her as the ultimate grandmother. When her first grandchild, Khloe, was born, Mami’s joy knew no bounds. We saw her embrace her “Omugwo” duties with pride. Even when her body grew weak from hypertension, her spirit remained willing and fierce. She lived for those children. Whether it was watching them to give the parents a break or summoning the energy to attend school field trips and theme parks, she was present. Her grandchildren gave her strength, and in return, she provided them with a foundation of unconditional love.
Mami Asong was a woman of principle and hard work. She was an entrepreneur at heart, a value she passed down to her children and encouraged in Mercy. She stood for truth, and she fought her battles not with noise but with prayer and resilience. We witnessed her struggle over the last few years, especially after her stroke in November 2023. We saw how the family rallied around her, and we are proud of the role Mercy played in using her medical background to advocate for Mami’s health, just as a daughter would for her mother. It was a privilege for our daughter to care for her, repaying the immense care Mami had poured into her.
To the Asong family: The Nyambi family grieves with you, but we also stand with you. Mami Asong leaves behind a legacy of unity. She showed us that love transcends tribes and that family is not just about blood but about how you treat one another.
Today, we pledge to continue honoring her memory. We reaffirm our shared values of hard work, dedication to God, and unwavering commitment to family. We promise to help mold her grandchildren into men and women she would be proud of, instilling in them the seeds of empathy and generosity that she sowed during her time on earth.
Rest well, Mami. You have fought the good fight. You have finished the race. You have kept the faith.
Rest in perfect peace.