Draft:Ferdinand Ngomo Namata

Ngomo Ferdinand Namata (9 May 1947 - 11 July 2016) was a Cameroonian naturalist, conservationist and lover of fauna and flora. Born in Mbu Bakundu, Konye Sub Division, Meme Division of South West Cameroon to Ngomo Namata and Ongie Frida, he went on to attend Boys School in Bota, Limbe after his parents identified his above average mental ability. After completing a basic primary education, he went on to find employment and was recruited by Dr. Thomas Strusaker in 1964 in Bomana in the South West region to work as an assistant in primate research. His appreciated his hardwork, love for nature and ambition and this made him to travel along with Namata for many research trips from Bomana to work in the Douala-Edea Forest Reserves and many other high profile conservation sites around Cameroon.

Professional life

After experience with his first employer in the field of nature conservation and research from which Namata absorbed much knowledge in the domain of plants and animal species and greatly added to his extensive local knowledge, he had the opportunity to work in the Southern Bakundu Forest Reserve where he continued the development of his local plant and animal knowledge and his love for nature.

In 1973, he came to Ndian Division alongside Dr Steve Gartlan to conduct research in the then Korup Forest Reserve. His work with Dr. Steve Gartlan was one of the key elements which helped Dr Gartlan to develop the proposal which kick started the Korup Project. After the creation of Korup National park by Presidential decree in 1986 he continued working with the park under the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and built his knowledge of plants and animals to a considerably advanced level. His work with many researchers and tourists during this period earned him much recognition and in 1988 when the Korup Project started he was one of the premiere staff. He worked in the Research Department of Korup Project and occupied roles including Guide, Research Assistant and Naturalist. He gave tours to visitors, assisted in wildlife and plant research and inventory, trained students and researchers. He also worked with national and international researchers to help them achieve their research objectives in identifying and recording local fauna and flora species and their attributes. He retired from full time service in 2003 but remained a resource for the local conservation community and continued to consult with nature researchers and conservationists.

Notable contributions and honours

Namata contributed considerable to fauna and flora conservation in Cameroon and received much recognition and many accolades for his dedication and commitment to nature and scientific research. He is most known for:

• Contributing to the identification and scientific recording of numerous new plant and animal species found around Cameroon⁴
• The naming of a new plant genus (specie) “Namataea” after him found in areas between the Nigeria and Cameroon borders¹
• The naming of "Namata Ledges" and "Namata Ledges Trail" inside Korup National Park after him in honour of his work
• A certificate of recognition for his contribution to the advancement of science
• A Government of Cameroon medal of honour for his service to the nation

Personal and later life

Namata married Late Agnes Eposi Molongi in 1960 and they had 2 sons, however she died in 1982 after a protracted illness. Namata later married Ebongo Christina Ekpeni in the 1980’s, and from whom he was blessed with 4 sons and a daughter. Namata suffered a stroke in 2003 from which he survived but this marked a turning point as his health deteriorated and he was troubled by different ailments until his passing on Monday 11th July 2016. He left behind his wife, 5 sons, a daughter, 8 grandchildren and a long legacy of commitment to the conservation of the natural world.

Citations

1. 54: 951 (1999 publ. 2000) https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1012512-1
2. 149–162 (1986) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00044815
3. J. S. Gartlan 1, D. McC. Newbery2, D. W. Thomas 3 & P. G. Waterman4 https://fdocuments.net/document/the-influence-of-topography-and-soil-phosphorus-on-the-vegetation-of-korup.html?page=1
4. 1993-3-4 D.W. Thomas, F. Namata & E. Jato https://science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/p/item/list?full_text=korupensis
5. Vol. 51, No. 1 (1996), 201-203 https://www.jstor.org/stable/4118761?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
6. https://www.river-films.com/gallery-korup-an-african-rainforest
7. https://www.tourhq.com/cm60035/tours/korup-national-park-3-day-excursion