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LAPIRO. Planned Grande send-off as former Prisoner condemns prison Medicare.
Posted On 24 Mar 2014
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The Cameroonian community across the USA is now making fervent preparations to give deceased musician Lambo Sandjo Pierre Roger aka Lapiro de Mbanga a hero’s goodbye on Friday March 28 2014 during his funeral service in Buffalo, New York. Lapiro died on Sunday March 16 2014 after he lost his his battle against cancer
Busloads of people are scheduled to attend his wake on Friday from across the 50 states in the USA with representation expected from his extended family in Cameroon and others from Europe. The family announced in a press release that his memorial church service on Saturday March 29th 2014 will be streamed live on the internet at www.stgregs.org
As preparations for his funeral continue, tributes have continued pouring in following his sudden and tragic death at the youthful age of 56 from prostate cancer.
In Cameroon where the musician hailed from, authorities have been mute following his death. State radio and TV carried a brief announcement following his death. Iroko Magazine learnt Lapiro refused to be buried in Cameroon because prison authorities at the Douala New Bell prison deliberately refused to treat his cancer when it was first diagnosed in 2008 following his imprisonment, apparently on orders from Yaounde. The failure to get quick treatment when he was first diagnosed was directly related to his early death though he had access to the most advanced treatment in the USA. There are indications his family will drag the government to court for delaying his treatment.
Ebenezer Akwanga. Prisoner without a crime
Former Kondengui maximum security prison inmate and Southern Cameroon youth chairman Ebenezer Akwanga confirmed that prison officials across Cameroon have a cavalier attitude towards sick prisoners. “Prison authorities in Cameroon are inhumane and I am not surprised to learn they refused to give Lapiro adequate treatment when he fell sick” he said.
Mr Awanga revealed he was once ferried to hospital in a push truck from the Mfou central prison (Centre province) when he fell sick in blatant disregard of his human rights. He eventually fled from Konndengui prison and has since sued and won his case against the government of Cameroon for torture and violation of his basic human rights. The government is still feet dragging on arranging to compensate him for the time he said he was unjustly imprisoned and tortured almost to death.
Akwanga added that Lapiro’s death should be a warning call to authorities in Cameroon to reform the prison system in the country improve the treatment of sick prisoners.
Herewith the full family statement
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR LAPIRO DE MBANGA 1957-2014
Adieu Lapiro de Mbanga
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE MENKAM SANDJO’S FAMILY
| The great Sandjo family in Cameroon, France, and the United States, the Mbanga community in Cameroon, the great family of Cameroonians and African cultural icons, the Cameroonian community in the USA and all over the world, are very saddened to announce the passing of their father, brother, son, Traditional Chief and Cultural Icon, LAMBO SANDJO PIERRE ROGER, also known as LAPIRO DE MBANGA.He passed away Sunday, March 16th 2014 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo New York, after a long battle with Cancer.LAMBO SANDJO PIERRE ROGER a.k.a LAPIRO DE MBANGA joined this earth on November 19th 1957, in the community of MBANGA in Cameroon. He began his wonderful cultural and musical career in 1976, at the age of 19 years old.He was greatly known throughout Cameroon, Africa, and even the world, for the messages conveyed in his music, that were always gearing towards the support of laborers, the “Sauveteurs”, and all other lower social working classes. He was also known internationally because of his fight for humanitarian rights, and his fierce speeches for democracy and liberty.
LAMBO SANDJO PIERRE ROGER a.k.a LAPIRO DE MBANGA, won many titles and awards during his career in the music and cultural industry, and was also highly regarded as a Human Rights Activist by International Organizations. He moved to the United States of America a little over a year ago with his family, and he finally lost his battle to cancer, on Sunday, March 16th 2014 at 11:35am. He leaves behind many sons and daughters, whether biological, adoptive and spiritual, as well as a loving wife and an International audience, who will miss him greatly. While awaiting for the official program of the celebration of his life in Washington DC, there will be a: Wake keeping on Friday, March 28th, 2014, And a Church service on Saturday, March 29th, 2014 A memorial fund has also been set up for this great icon’s legacy under: “LAPIRO DE MBANGA MEMORIAL FUND”. You can make a donation at http://www.freedom-now.org/news/sad-news-we-mourn-the-passing-of-lapiro-dembanga/ Or at Bank of America LAPIRO DE MBANGA FUNERAL P.S: Please feel free to contact us Liliane Diane 001240330 0106 or by email @ lapirodembangamemorial@gmail.com Please come and support this great Cultural and Musical Icon’s family during this difficult time. Thank you in advance. The Sandjo Family. |
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