PCC awards Nico Halle for contribution to growth of church.

The award was conferred on him in Kumba, on June 4. This was during the jubilee celebration of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, PTS Kumba.

The award was signed by the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, the Rt Rev Fonki Samuel Forba, who doubles as Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Presbyterian Theological seminary, PTS Kumba. 

Though the official award ceremony held in Kumba, a ceremony to officially hand over the prize to Ntumfor Nico Halle took place Tuesday June 13 in Douala.

It was the Dean of PTS Kumba, the Rev Prof Mbengu David, who handed the coveted prize to Ntumfor Nico Halle during Tuesday’s event in Douala. 

The event took place at the Nico Halle Law Firm in Douala. It was attended by a college of pastors and other officials of the PCC. 

Prominent amongst them was the Presbyterial Secretary of the East Mungo South Presbytery, Rev Ayuk Jones Ebot, that of the Mungo Presbytery, Rev Mary Wose and the Chairpersons of the Bonaberi and Bonamousadi Parishes.

The award from the Chief Shepherd of the PCC to Ntumfor Nico Halle, marked the 170th awards and recognitions he has so far received from both national and international bodies. 

The recent award from the PCC, it was gathered, is in recognition of Ntumfor's "valuable and immeasurable contributions towards the development and sustenance of the PTS in commendable ways during the past years".

Again, the church, recognised Ntumfor's outstanding services, tireless efforts and constant support in the training of theologians and pastors of the church. 

The inscription on the award certificate read your services "…are enormous and worth appreciating". 

The words of appreciation from the clergy, were accompanied by exaltations from the Book of Galatians, 6:9 which promises “a reward for those who do not go weary in doing good”.

Ntumfor Nico Halle's unwavering support to the church and service to the community of Christians has been colossal. 

The Presbyterial Secretary for the East Mungo South, Rev Ayuk Jones Ebot, in his remarks, thanked God for endowing Ntumfor Nico Halle with redeeming qualities to serve. 

Rev Ayuk Jones emphasised that Ntumfor Nico Halle, known to some as a statesman, to others as a lawyer, a husband, a father and grandfather gives every occasion the attention it deserves in all humility. 

"He has remained very unassuming because he knows whatever he has is a gift from God, the greater power …we of the Christian circle talk so much about Bible's teachings on humility but how are we in real life?…our operating rule should be different from what is obtainable in the world, but sometimes ambition causes revolt and leads us to wrong places," he explained. 

He said Ntumfor Nico Halle has stayed the cause before describing him as an epitome of moral excellence shown in his service to the church, training of pastors and sustaining the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, PTS.

Ntumfor Nico Halle's contribution to PTS

Created in 1952, the Presbyterian Theological Seminary Kumba, clocked 70 years in 2022. The theological institution is the lone in Anglophone Cameroon specialised in training pastors of the PCC and other denominations from Bachelor’s to Master’s degree and soon PhD.

Despite challenging times, the PTS has kept its doors opened. The school has graduated hundreds of clergymen. It is now managed by a 100% indigenous staff with over 12 PhD lecturers.

Notwithstanding, the sustainability of the institution, its Dean, Rev Prof Mbengu David, has insisted that the successes could not have been possible without the help of God and some individuals like Ntumfor Nico Halle.

Therefore, the Diamond Jubilee was an opportunity for the establishment to celebrate God, who has kept them afloat amidst difficult moments. The seminary is also celebrating individuals like Ntumfor Nico Halle for their support to the PTS.

Rev Prof Mbengu David said, the award committee in its findings, had realised that over the years, when students were sent out for field work, a good number of them will always say "Ntumfor Nico Halle had helped them during their field experience," and this has been consistent.

Moreover, he said, Ntumfor Nico Halle has been a friend to the PTS, either as a visiting lecturer or a keynote speaker. Besides, the PTS was at the central stage within the ranks of the Christian Men Fellowship, CMF, thanks to Ntumfor Nico Halle. 

He added that during his mandate as the National President of the CMF, Ntumfor Nico Halle had engaged CMF members to take responsibility of the PTS. 

Nico Halle, he went on, had told them the PTS needed sustainability because without pastors, there is no church. “Over the years, Ntumfor Nico Halle has awarded best graduating students of the PTS with prizes of excellence and morality,” he continued. 

“He blessed pastors whenever he comes across any for the sole reason that he is the son of a pastor. And because Jesus said, ‘when you do this for one, you have done to all’ the PCC has not remained indifferent to Ntumfor Nico Halle's largess’,” Rev Prof Mbengu said. 

He added that “we of the church are proud to know that the son of a pastor is doing what his late father would have done if he were still alive. This award is in remembrance of his legacy”.

Award dedicated to Pastors 

In his acceptance speech during the ceremony in Douala, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle said he was dedicating the award to the pastors of the PCC and especially to the Moderator. 

He said his life's journey had been impacted by the five principles his father thought him before he transitioned into eternity. 

Ntumfor Nico Halle said he has been true to the values of humility, assiduity, integrity, love, fear of God “because my father had told me that by respecting these five life guiding principles, will ensure my success”.

Stating his awareness of not being perfect, Ntumfor Nico Halle however disclosed that he is striving for perfection. 

Taking the cue, his longtime friend and Chairman of the Presbyterian Church in Bonamousadi, Elder Moses Fongang, attested to the fact that Ntumfor Nico Halle's hard work and perseverance are a source of his success.