ICT university founder, Prof. Victor Mbarika honored at Cameroon Heroes Impact Awards

The evening of January 24 will remain memorable, as Gaicam International awarded about thirty prizes to several prominent personalities including ICT University founder Professor Victor Mbarika, the Minister of Youth and Civic Education, the Director of Gaicam, as well as positively distinguished Cameroonians from the diaspora. A special award was reserved for the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, who will be honored at a private ceremony later.

“This is recognition that goes straight to our hearts. ICT University delegated us here to represent Professor Victor Mbarika, who has received several awards before, including the highest award in the United States, Joe Biden’s presidential recognition. This award is special because it comes from his country of origin. And it’s in the field of education, which is the future for youth, in the field of ICT. When you’re in this paradigm, you’re working for today and especially for tomorrow. This is what ICT University is doing,” says Professor Pondi, Vice-Rector of ICT University, after receiving Professor Victor Mbarika’s award.

The Cameroon Heroes Impact Awards highlighted public administrators’ exceptional service to the nation. The award ceremony in Yaoundé showcased exceptional heroes who stood out for their leadership and dedication to public service.

The Exceptional Heroes of Cameroon Award was presented to Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, in recognition of his role as Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic. This award highlights the excellence of Cameroonian public administrators with exceptional leadership capabilities who have significantly contributed to the country’s growth, peace, and security.

The 4th edition of this event was marked by a new inclusive approach, bringing together public and private institutions, international organizations, and NGOs as part of these distinctions. About thirty awards were presented in different categories, reflecting the commitment to excellence and innovation in the public sector. According to Joseph Gana, chairman of Gaicam’s board of directors, “this year’s innovation is that we are now working with public and private institutions, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations as part of these awards.”

The selection criteria were rigorous, and opinions gathered from the Cameroonian population guided the choice of this year’s laureates. This celebration of excellence and public leadership demonstrates the importance of recognizing and valuing the efforts of individuals who contribute exceptionally to the development and growth of the Cameroonian nation.

About the Cameroon Heroes Award

The Cameroon Heroes Award is one of GAICAM International’s Impact Award programs; a special recognition of excellence and visible impact, awarded to Cameroonians and Cameroon-based institutions that have created real impact in their communities and Cameroon in general. It is organized annually by GAICAM International, in collaboration with its partners and the Cameroonian government, to identify, honor, and promote outstanding individuals, organizations, associations, public institutions, and business structures that have created a genuine impact in society and contributed considerably to the socioeconomic development of their communities and the Cameroonian nation as a whole.

The award is a fully inclusive program with no social, political, or religious affiliations. GAICAM International’s Impact Award program is a viable mechanism for partnership and promotion of national and global goals. The Cameroon Heroes Award comprises three (3) distinct award categories:

Cameroon Heroes of Valor

The Cameroon Heroes of Valor Awards are special recognitions of excellence, awarded to individuals for their incredible achievements; select men and women who have gone the distance for their homeland – Cameroon, by illustrating and promoting the values of national unity and cultural diversity in their daily responsibilities while inspiring Cameroonians across cultural boundaries, regardless of their region or community of origin. It is awarded annually to a maximum of fifteen (15) Cameroonians who have contributed exceptionally to peace and harmony, growth, and development of the nation. People whose contributions to national growth have not discriminated against others from different cultural backgrounds but have included all Cameroonians, thus fostering peace, growth, and sustainable development beyond national borders.

Cameroon Exceptional Heroes

The Cameroon Exceptional Heroes Awards are special distinctions of excellence, awarded to Cameroonian public administrators with exceptional leadership capabilities; select men and women who have demonstrated great leadership qualities in carrying out their public service duties. It is awarded annually to a maximum of fifteen (15) public administrators such as ministers, doctors, secretaries general, mayors, governors, rectors/vice-chancellors, magistrates, directors of public companies, high commissioners, ambassadors, police commissioners, city mayors, state councils, brigade commanders, and others who have contributed exceptionally to the nation’s growth, peace, and security and have inspired many in the effective execution of their duties. People whose exceptional leadership has inspired many and serves as a reference for future public administrators.

Remarkable Cameroon Heroes

The Remarkable Cameroon Heroes Awards are special and community impact recognitions, awarded to Cameroon-based individuals and institutions for their incredible achievements and immense contributions to Cameroon’s growth and development. It is a carefully crafted recognition, and the broadest award of the Cameroon Heroes Awards, designed to share the untold stories of extraordinary individuals and businesses who champion extraordinary initiatives and give back to the community while changing lives and the course of their communities toward national growth and development. This award includes annually a maximum of 40 community-focused award categories from various sectors. It is the only award that undergoes strict review by GAICAM International’s board of directors, independent judges commission, and the general public to determine who deserves to be honored.