At 6th Literary Awards: FEICOM celebrates staffs’ writing prowess.

The winners were unveiled at a ceremony in Yaounde Thursday November 23. This year’s competition which was the 6th took place under the theme: “FEICOM in the bandwagon of major opportunities”. 

Participants in the exercise used the competition to sell FEICOM’s image to the nation and the globe.

For the Director General of the establishment, Camille Philippe Akoa, the overall objective of the award is to foster literary talent among FEICOM staff.

He said the exercise contributes towards developing the intellectual development of staff in activities related to literary production, adding that, it also help to boost the creativity of staff, while highlighting the missions of FEICOM.

Camille Akoa said, it also contributes in building FEICOM’s visual identity; stimulate the creative genius within staff members and strengthen the visibility of FEICOM’s actions.

The Ministry of Arts and Culture and Ifrikiya publishers, the GM said, worked in collaboration with FEICOM to promote these ideals.  FEICOM had in 2021, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Ministry of Arts and Culture, and in 2020, signed a partnership agreement with Ifrikiya.

Winners of prizes pose in souvenir photo with Director General of FEICOM, Camille Philippe Akoa

2023 Award Winners

The winner of the first prize for this year is Njopa Bivina Odile Gaetane. She smiled home with 300,000 FCFA. Njopa Bivina wrote on a topic that translates loosely to mean that local communities are on rail as far as FEICOM remains the guarantor of their development

The second prize went to Tanjong Zoalefack Fredrik, who went home with a package of 250,000 FCFA. 

Sulemanu Hamadu Belal, who works with the FEICOM North West Regional office in Bamenda snatched the third prize. He won 200,000 FCFA.

Sulemanu’s essay was titled: “The echoes of a female voice in the decentralisation train”.

He elaborated on the story of a young girls whose parents wanted to push her into early marriage. But she resisted the attempt, continued to pursue her education and graduated as an engineer. 

She became a shining example in her community influencing many young women and their parents.

The fourth prize was carted away by Verkijika Divine Vernyuy, of the South Region FEICOM office. He took home was 150,000 FCFA.

Elangwe Rober Ngoa, of the Adamawa Regional office was the fifth prize winner. He went home with 100,000 FCFA.

How the Jury works

Ngane Suanne, President of the Jury, who is also the Director of Projects and Programmes at FEICOM, briefed reporters on the long road to selecting winners of the award.

She said every participant exhibited outstanding originality and innovativeness in his or her work. 

Ngane said they must also arouse the interest and contribution the company is making to Cameroon and the outside world.

The jury boss also said, they evaluated and assessed the quality of the writing, as well as creativity in titling. 

A representative of the Minister of Arts and Culture at the Award ceremony made a clarion call for all to be at the centre of telling  Cameroonian stories.