Tabi Philip Tako-Eta&Tabi Gladys Majienyu née Abangma

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.

Obituary

Two Lives, One Love, One Enduring Legacy In Loving Memory of

Tabi Philip Tako-Eta
April 29, 1958 – October 10, 2026

and

Gladys Majienyu Tabi née Abangma
January 10, 1964 – September 16, 2026

Forever Loved. Forever Remembered. Forever in Our Hearts.

With hearts filled with sorrow, yet profound gratitude to Almighty God for lives beautifully lived, the Tako-Eta and Abangma families announce the passing of our beloved parents, Tabi Philip Tako-Eta and Gladys Majienyu Tabi née Abangma.

Their departures, separated by just a few weeks, have left an immeasurable void in the hearts of their children, relatives, friends, and all who knew and loved them.

Though each walked a unique path, their lives became intertwined through marriage, family, and a shared journey that would leave a lasting legacy.

Together, Papa Philip and Mama Gladys shared the sacred bond of marriage and the extraordinary responsibility of raising a family.

Their journey was one of shared experiences, joys, challenges, sacrifices, and countless moments that became the foundation of their family's history.

Their greatest legacy is not measured merely in years lived, but in the lives they touched, the family they built, and the memories that will continue to unite generations.

An Enduring Legacy

As we prepare to celebrate their lives and bid them farewell, we choose to remember not only the sorrow of their passing but also the blessing of having had them in our lives.

Their earthly journeys have ended, but their stories continue through their children, their families, and everyone who carries a memory of them.

Though we must now learn to navigate life without their physical presence, the love, lessons, and memories they leave behind will forever remain a part of us.

Rest peacefully, Papa Philip and Mama Gladys.

Two lives. One family. An enduring legacy.

Lovingly remembered by your children and the entire Tako-Eta and Abangma families.

The Life and Legacy of Tabi Philip Tako-Eta 

April 29, 1958 – October 10, 2026

Early Life and Education

Tabi Philip Tako-Eta was born on April 29, 1958, in Eyangchang Village, Mamfe Subdivision, Manyu Division, in the South-West Region of Cameroon. Born to Tako-Eta and Sarah Oben, he grew up in a family of seven children.

His educational journey began in the primary school system, where he attended several institutions, including Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Mission School in Nchang. In 1971, he gained admission to National Comprehensive Secondary School, Victoria, as a pioneer student.

Following a period of educational transitions, he joined Saint Joseph's College Sasse, Buea, in September 1972. He spent five memorable years at this institution before proceeding to the Cameroon College of Arts, Science and Technology (CCAST), Bambili, in 1977.

In 1979, he enrolled in the Faculty of Science at the University of Yaoundé. However, differences in language and educational systems presented significant challenges. Determined to pursue his academic ambitions, he sought admission to a Nigerian university.

In 1980, he entered the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Chemistry.

Academic Advancement and Professional Development

Upon returning to Cameroon, Philip was recruited into the public service through the Ministry of National Education. He taught at CSS Eyumojock during the 1984/1985 academic year.

His intellectual curiosity and commitment to professional development led him to further studies abroad.

Through a British Council scholarship, he pursued a master's degree in Environmental Forestry at the University College of North Wales, Bangor. He subsequently received another scholarship from the Government of Cameroon to undertake a master's degree in Forest Management at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

These advanced qualifications laid the foundation for a distinguished career in forestry administration, wildlife management, and environmental conservation.

A Distinguished Career in Public Service

In 1989, Philip joined the Department of Forestry under Cameroon's Ministry of Agriculture, beginning a career that would span more than two decades in environmental governance and natural resource management.

Between 1989 and 1991, he served as Deputy Chief of the Computer Unit, where he oversaw the compilation of timber exploitation statistics and the preparation of billing records.

From 1991 to 1993, he served as Division Chief of Section for Forestry in Meme Division, Kumba. He subsequently became Divisional Delegate of Environment and Forestry for Meme, serving from 1993 to 1995.

His career continued to advance when he was appointed Assistant Director of Forestry in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MINEF), Yaoundé, a position he held from 1995 to May 1999.

From May 1999 to November 2003, he served as Provincial Delegate of Environment and Forestry for the South-West Province, based in Buea. During this period, he worked closely with environmental conservation projects.

In June 2004, he was appointed Sub-Director of Forest Inventory and Management at the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in Yaoundé, serving until May 2005.

He returned to the South-West Province as Provincial Delegate of Forestry and Wildlife, serving from May 2005 to 2007.

Leadership in Environmental Conservation

Papa Philip's professional journey extended beyond national forestry administration into the coordination of major environmental conservation programmes.

Between 2005 and 2007, he held leadership responsibilities in government programmes supported by international development partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Germany's KfW development cooperation.

These initiatives addressed mangrove conservation, biodiversity protection, and the sustainable management of natural resources in Cameroon's South-West Region.

In 2006, he also completed military training at the Combined Schools and Training Centres Command in Douala, obtaining the Higher Military Preparation Certificate and attaining the rank of Colonel des Eaux et Forêts.

In November 2007, he was appointed Director of Wildlife and Protected Areas in the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, a position he held until July 2013.

During this period, he also served as National Director of the ECOFAC Phase IV programme in Cameroon from December 2007 to 2011.

His public service included membership on the Board of Directors of the National Agency for Forest Development (ANAFOR) and the Board of Trustees of the Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation (CAMCOF).

Retirement and Later Years

In July 2013, after years of dedicated service to the Republic of Cameroon, Philip retired from the public service with the distinguished grade of *Ingénieur Général des Eaux et Forêts, Hors Échelle, Indice 1140.*

Retirement did not mark the end of his involvement in public and community life. According to his autobiographical account published in June 2023, he continued to reside in Yaoundé and remained engaged in environmental consultancy, as well as social, cultural, political, and religious activities.

Family, Faith, and Legacy

Beyond his academic achievements and professional accomplishments, Papa Philip was a devoted husband, father, and man of faith.

Together with his beloved wife, Gladys Majienyu Tabi née Abangma, he raised five children, building a family whose story would become an enduring part of his legacy.

Papa Philip was a man of remarkable discipline, consistency, and quiet strength. A man of few words, he demonstrated his values more through his actions than through lengthy expressions. His steadfastness, sense of responsibility, and commitment to principle were defining qualities of his character.

Intellectually curious and deeply committed to learning, he possessed an enduring desire to acquire knowledge and broaden his understanding of the world. His pursuit of education and professional excellence reflected this lifelong dedication to intellectual growth.

His Christian faith was equally important to his life. As an elder in his church, he served his congregation and contributed to the spiritual life of his community. His commitment to Christian service reflected the values of faith, responsibility, and dedication that characterized his life.

His journey from Eyangchang Village to institutions of higher learning abroad, and ultimately to senior leadership in Cameroon's public service, stands as a testament to his perseverance, discipline, and determination.

Through his work in forestry administration, wildlife protection, and environmental conservation, he contributed to efforts to preserve Cameroon's natural heritage for future generations.

Yet, beyond the titles he earned and the positions he held, his greatest legacy remains the family he raised, the principles he embodied, and the example he leaves for his children and generations to come.

A Final Farewell

On October 10, 2026, Papa Philip departed this earthly life at the age of 68, just 24 days after the passing of his beloved wife, Mama Gladys, on September 16, 2026.

Their passing has left a profound void in the hearts of their children, families, relatives, friends, and all who knew and loved them.

As we celebrate his life, we remember a man of discipline and principle, an intellectually curious scholar, a distinguished public servant, a faithful church elder, and, above all, a beloved husband and father.

Though a man of few words, his life spoke volumes through his actions, accomplishments, and unwavering commitment to his responsibilities.

His professional achievements form an important part of his history, but his enduring legacy lives in the people he loved, the lives he touched, the values he instilled, and the family he leaves behind.

Rest in eternal peace, Papa Philip.

Your earthly journey has ended, but your story will continue to be told for generations to come.

Lovingly remembered by your children and the entire Tako-Eta and Abangma families.

The Life and Legacy of Tabi Gladys Majienyu

Mama Gladys's biography

Their Shared Family Legacy

Shared family legacy

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