Thousands pay last respects to businessman, Charles Menyoli

Thousands of well-wishers turned out at Bongo Square, Buea, this morning to pay their last respects to popular Fako billionaire, Dr. Charles Namme Menyoli, who died on June 25.

Dr. Menyoli, who owned a stream of businesses, including Fakoship, for which he was most popularly known, died in Buea at the good old age of 93.

Eulogies have been pouring in for the late statesman, who, despite not attending formal education, left an indelible mark on society.

Various speakers acknowledged his enormous charitable works to the less privileged and for hugely sponsoring several evangelism and infrastructural projects at the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon.

“Papa Charles Menyoli never stopped giving,” said Presbyterian Church Moderator, Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel, in a sermon. He urged wealthy people in society to emulate Dr. Charles Menyoli’s generosity and place others first.

A Presbyterian Christian, who spoke on behalf of PCC Great Soppo, one of the congregations that Menyoli supported, noted: “He was a man who put God first in whatever he did, in his business activities. We have lost a great man.”

Biography and Businesses Owned

Pa Menyoli was born on September 26, 1930, to Rosine Mojoko and Daniel Menyoli.

He attended Government Primary School in Limbe and then Baptist Primary School in Great Soppo, Buea, where he ended his primary education in 1947.

He worked as a Shipping Clerk in West Coast Banana for 12 months, during which time he gathered much experience that later helped him open his own shipping company, Fakoship.

Popularly called the “Elephant Businessman of Fako,” Pa Menyoli opened several businesses, including Menyoli Banana Farm, which later became the first headquarters of Fakoship.

He founded Menyoli Bus Service, which became a leading inter-urban transport company in Cameroon in the 1950s and 1960s with a fleet of 40 buses.

He also ventured into car dealing and founded Menyoli Motors. He founded Thunderbolt Football Club of Buea in the 60s before proceeding to establish Hunters Market in Mutengene in the 1990s.

In 1972, he built the popular Mermoz Hotel in Small Soppo, Buea, marking the beginning of his Fakoship line of businesses.

He owned and managed several other businesses, including the Parliamentarian Flats Hotel in Buea.

Pa Menyoli was married for over 60 years and had 14 children, 31 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

He left behind three Fakoship Plaza buildings in Buea and Limbe and a sustainable housing development complex of 24 three-story buildings at Bulu, Mile 16, Buea