Vilian Tambe

Vilian was born on December 7, 1969 in Victoria (now Limbe) to the late Mr. John Paddy Tambe and Mrs. Esther Tambe. At the age of four, Vilian together with his parents and his two older siblings relocated to Yaoundé in August 1973, where he started school a year later at the Government Bilingual Primary School, Yaoundé. He was a bright pupil and protective sibling. He had a natural sense of justice and responsibility which he demonstrated very early in life. In 1981, he went far from home to pursue his secondary education as a boarding student in Presbyterian Secondary School, Besongabang, chaperoned by his older brother, Franklin. That experience exposed him to the tradition and culture of his land, Manyu, but also sealed his bond with God through baptism and confirmation.

After his Ordinary Level, Vilian moved to Government Bilingual High School, Buea, studying the humanities, influenced by his Literature teacher Bate Besong. He moved back to Yaoundé Government Bilingual High School where he earned his Advanced Level in 1989.

Vilian enrolled at the University of Yaoundé in 1989 to read law and graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree. While in University he followed his father’s footsteps in politics, joining the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP) in 1993. It is worth highlighting that the NUDP was the leading opposition party in parliament following the return to multiparty politics in 1990. Vilian’s father whereas was a staunch supporter of the ruling party (CPDM). Vilian was undeterred by efforts from various quarters to defect from the NUDP to the ruling party. On the contrary, he was buoyed to serve the party of his choice as a member of the communication unit from 1993-2000. In that role, he doubled as the first and lone English anchor of the NUDP on the program devoted to political parties on national radio and television programs. Following an election during the party’s congress in Ngaoundere in January 1997, he served as second president of the Youth wing of the National Movement for Democracy and Progress (youth wing of the NUDP) through 2000. He was a member of the NUDP Central Committee from 1997 through 2002. He spoke truth to power fearlessly at a time when political tolerance and opposition were not the order of the day. Indeed, he was threatened and intimidated on several occasions due to his work.

In the words of Franklin, “Nkongho was very calm, discreet, obedient and hardworking from childhood. We shared a box for our clothes when I was 9 and he 5. And he was very organized.”

In October 2000, Vilian relocated to the United States. From 2004 to 2006, he studied tax law at Boston University, where he earned an LLM. Until death, he practiced as an independent tax accountant. In 2009, Vilian met his sweetheart Theresa and relocated from Houston, Texas to Chicago, Illinois, where they would later tie the knot and raise three beautiful children.

He is preceded in death by his dad Mr. John Paddy Tambe and sister Rowan Tambe. He leaves behind his wife Theresa, 4 children, mother, siblings, family, friends, and Christian community to mourn him.

The family will receive friends at a visitation from 5:00 until 8:00 pm on Friday, September 25, 2020 at Allen Family Funeral Options. On Saturday, September 26, 2020 there will be a viewing beginning at 8:00 am and the funeral service will follow at 9:00 am at First Presbyterian Church of Allen, 605 South Greenville Ave., Allen, Texas 75002. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 N. Central Expressway, Allen, Texas 75013.