By David Atangana
Mimi Mefo Info (MMI) is bereaved. The news outlet lost one of its vibrant budding sports reporters and digital content creator to the cold hands of death on Friday, June 30, 2023.
Tazi Junior passed unto glory after suffering from a prolonged illness.
His death is a tragic loss to the MMI team.
Go-getter
Team members have described his death as a big vacuum in the network.
“I was asking about him the other day to the MMI Manager and he told me Tazi was having some health issues and that he will be fully coming back to the team when he gets better. Little did we know that he won’t be coming back again. Tazi was so ambitious and full of great dreams. This hurts,” a close colleague, Washira Helene commented when the news broke.
“I spoke with him on Wednesday, and he said he was unwell, but he sounded confident that all will be fine, so he can resume work, I really didn’t see this coming,” Amina Hilda, an MMI reporter said.
MMI’s founder pays tribute
According to the founder/editor-in-chief of MMI, Mimi Mefo Takambou, Tazi Jr. dedicated all his energy and pushed to have a space within MMI to better serve the public with quality information.
“I have not been myself since last night after I saw your message. It is so sad. He had not worked for up two weeks after he joined us,” Ms Takambou, told this reporter.
The boss of MMI added that Tazi Jr. was “So young and full of dreams. I recall he was worried about telling me he was unwell until I asked and asked again. My last call with him was on Monday this week”
While hospitalized, Tazi Jr. was looking hale and hearty. His death came as a shock as he was expected to resume work he had long craved for in his life.
“It was a video call. I saw him in the hospital, looking very okay and even smiling. He told me he can’t wait to resume work, I told him not to worry, and that his health mattered more than anything,” Mimi recalled with tears while on duty in London saying that “I planned to check up on him again after our trip to London before the sad news came in.”
Late Tazi Jr. was a committed sports reporter who spared no effort to have himself incorporated into the MMI team.
According to the founder/editor, “Tazi was ready to do all it takes to learn. He had applied to work with the team two years ago and was not retained. “
With his zeal to sail through, “Tazi then went to school to study photo editing, canva, designs publishing and reapplied for the job”
The manager from that instance “saw a young man who was ready and determined not only to work but who would not take ‘No’ for an answer. His determination shone through.”
He officially started work on May 29th, 2023, and “he would ask the managing editor every day what he could do until he started slowing down due to ill health.”
While in his sick bed, he rejected assistance saying, “I just need some time off”
He was optimistic to resume work but unfortunately
He left an indelible impact in just a few days.
Relatives inconsollable
Tazi Junior’s parents and siblings have been devastated since his passing on Friday. Speaking to MMI, Tazi’s senior said her brother was so self-sufficient and believed in his ability to achieve his dreams in Cameroon.
“Tazi had the opportunity to travel wherever he wanted for his studies. All the options were at his disposal, but he turned them down. He told me he would work hard and be successful in Cameroon. He was very certain about it, and no one could tell him otherwise. My brother was a calm and peaceful person. He never liked to make anyone uncomfortable. We are all sad. My mom and dad haven’t been themselves,” Anyi Tazi told MMI.
Who was Tazi Junior?
Born in 1996, Andrew trained as an accountant. He earned a BSc from ICT University, Yaounde, and a Master’s degree from Catholic University in Buea.
His passion for journalism took him into the media world.
Before joining the MMI team, he reported for several online news outlets in the country, including 237Showbiz.
His passing unto glory is a big loss to the MMI team and the media family.
Tazi would be buried on July 15th. An official arrangement is yet to be made public.
The entire MMI team condole with the Tazi family and pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.
