Minister Minette Libom wins Digital Transformation Champion Award.

Minister Minette Libom Li Likeng, who, for the umpteenth time, is in the heavens of acknowledgment, made the remarks in Yaounde, Friday February 23.

She was speaking after receiving the 2023 Digital Transformation Champion Award. 

The unassuming and God-fearing Christian woman and inspiring member of government, was announced as winner of the award Saturday February 17. 

This was at the 21st edition of The Guardian Post 2023 Achievement Award ceremony, which took place at Bengo Hotel in Ebolowa, South Region. Minister Minette Libom, who could not make it to the award ceremony due to her tight weekend schedule, was handed her award at the ministry, Friday February 23.

After receiving her award, she said the Head of State’s visionary leadership and policies are creating more favourable conditions for the digital take-off of the country. This, she said, is an essential prerequisite for initiating a qualitative shift towards development.

Accompanying her to receive the distinction were the Secretary General of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, some Directors and other close collaborators. 

Minister Minette Libom, who is among the few female pillars of the Biya regime, was recognised for her outstanding efforts in stunningly implementing and making the digital transformation vision much-cherished by President Paul Biya, a reality.

Why Minister Minette Libom emerged winner

As explained by the President of The Guardian Post Achievement Award jury, Richard Nde Lajong, who doubles as the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Herald Tribune, the initiative is to recognise compatriots who go the extra mile to selflessly serve the nation in their different walks of life. 

Nde said recognition is meant for posterity, given what personalities like Minister Minette Libom do for country. 

The choice of Minister Minette Libom as winner of the 2023 Digital Transformation Champion Award, Nde said, was not that of an individual but based on the decision of millions of readers of The Guardian Post. 

Nde said the award jury, comprising jurists, renowned journalists and members of the civil society, met several times to catalogue the nominations and choices of the readers before compiling the winners. 

He disclosed that for the 21st edition, over 18,000, among The Guardian Post millions of readers spread across the globe, settled on the choice of Minister Minette Libom for the category. 

Nde said Minister Minette Libom emerged the 2023 Digital Transformation Champion for her “prime role in implementing the Head of State’s digitalisation policy in national development, wealth creation, online child protection, fighting hate speech, fighting cybercrimes and crusading peace”. 

Award is a precious surprise

In an emotional statement delivered after receiving the award, Minister Minette Libom, thanked The Guardian Post for the recognition, which she described as a “precious surprise”.

“…I would like to express how deeply touched I am by the words spoken about me, and at the same time, I am profoundly honoured. It is a feeling of pride that overwhelms me at this very moment, where the utmost relevance of the President's policy on the digital transformation of society is recognised through this award,” she said, adding that the “feeling of pride is especially infused with a great deal of humility, given my role as a public servant”.

Hails Biya’s foresightedness, visionary leadership 

In all modesty, Minister Minette Libom said the true person to be honoured is the Head of State, for being a visionary leader.

She said President Biya had long “recognised the "revolutionary" nature of Information and Communication Technologies; ICT, widely regarded by many experts as the engine of economic development and growth for nations”. 

The dynamic and productive public servant said the President's vision for Cameroon is to “create more favourable conditions for the digital take-off,” which is an “essential prerequisite for initiating a qualitative shift towards development”. 

The award, the minister further stated: “Undoubtedly signifies The Guardian Post's commitment to sustainably support the government in the battle for the development of the digital economy, with the aim of achieving the emergence goals of our country”.

Award fruits of team work 

Minister Minette Libom said the award does not only recognise her but primarily rewards a great collective human adventure, led by her dedicated collaborators working in a challenging environment with selflessness, patriotism, and competence.

“This award, which I receive with great humility, bears the mark of all the personnel of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and their commitment over the past seven years in implementing the policies of the Head of State in this sector,” she said. 

“Therefore, I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt congratulations to all the personnel of our ministry. Thank you for your collaboration and thank you for your sacrifices. We are all champions of the digital transformation in Cameroon in 2023,” she added. 

The real challenge ahead, the minister told her collaborators and personnel, is to continue to be champions “who efficiently implement the policies of the Head of State in our sector”.

Significant progress to improve connectivity nationwide 

The minister said elaborate strategies are being implemented under the direct and strict supervision of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, for improved connectivity, in a bid to make real President Biya’s instructions to speed up the development of the digital economy.

She cited significant initiatives on institutional, regulatory, and infrastructural fronts which are underway to facilitate the digital transformation of the country.

Minister Minette Libom said her ministry is doing its utmost to ensure digital inclusion by fostering the widespread use of ICT across all segments of society.

Such, she said, is through efforts to promote access and use of ICT among all citizens, with a particular focus on women and youth, strengthening the population's capacities in the field of ICT.  She also said there is work to develop digital skills and usage within government administrations, expanding the telecommunications and ICT infrastructure.

Access to basic telecommunications and ICT services, especially in rural areas, the minister noted, is an essential necessity as it serves to combat poverty. 

The minister said it will also improve the living conditions of the population and serve as prerequisite for shaping a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and reap the benefits of the digital revolution.

The award-winning member of government, also talked of investment in the democratisation of access to digital technologies.

She said by leading the country into digital transformation, the Head of State aims not only for more equitable development but also for the creation of a society where every individual, regardless of their place of residence or socio-economic context, has the opportunity to fully participate in the digital economy.

Boosting access to digital technologies

Access to digital technologies, she noted, should be considered as a means to strengthen citizen participation in public life, stimulate local innovation, and reduce inequalities across different strata of society. 

She stated that: “Providing each citizen with the opportunity to develop digital skills, access relevant information, and actively participate in digital life is how we will truly build an inclusive digital society”.

Efforts to combat cyber threats 

Despite its contribution to economic development, the minister said digital technology has, to a certain extent, plagued Cameroonian society. This, she said, manifests through the proliferation of cybercrime, unpatriotic behaviours on digital platforms, and in recent years, the surge of hate speech and other online deviations.

Minister Minette Libom said it is in this line that public authorities have developed strategies to address the issue of cybercrime. 

 “The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has thus taken the lead on this front, intensifying efforts through a national campaign to promote a culture of cybersecurity and responsible use of social networks,” the minister declared.

She stressed that, “digital transformation requires a safe and resilient cyberspace,” adding that, “Cameroon must accelerate the ongoing process of digital transformation to meet the expectations of its citizens”.

The 2023 Digital Transformation Champion in brief 

Minister Minette Libom Li Likeng earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the then University of Yaounde in 1982. She later studied at the prestigious National School of Administration and Magistracy, ENAM, and graduated as a customs inspector. 

Minette Libom began her career as a visiting inspector at the Customs Office in Yaounde. She was later promoted to the position of Head of IT Liaison Service of Customs in the Littoral Region.

Given her dedicated service to the nation, the then young Minette Libom Li Likeng was sent to the Ministry of Finance in 1992. At the Central Service of MINFI, she was in charge of studies at the General Secretariat.

She later returned to the customs sector in Yaounde while at the same time lecturing at ENAM. This dedicated woman of mettle was then in 2002 appointed Head of the Legislation and Litigation Division at the Customs Directorate. 

Two years later, hierarchy again promoted her as Head of the Legislation and International Cooperation Division at the Customs Directorate. 

Between 2004 and 2007, she moved an inch closer to the customs top job in the course of which she assumed Interim as Customs Director General. 

In 2008, the versatile Minette Libom Li Likeng, who has produced results under difficult circumstances, was named Director General of Customs. 

She served here till 2015 when the Head of State, President Paul Biya, handed her the task of reforming the country’s posts and telecommunication sector.