At close of quality back-to-school campaign: Kadji Defosso Foundation rewards students, teachers for excellence, resilience.

The revered KDF, under UCB, also handed land titles and cash prizes to some faithful customers, who were selected from their promotional campaigns. 

The various prizes and distinctions were handed to the beneficiaries on Saturday October 5. This was during a ceremony held at the Yaounde Conference Centre. 

The event marked the closing ceremony of the 2024 quality back-to-school campaign. 

The grandiose event, which was in its 11th edition, was presided over by the representative of the Minister of Secondary Education, Bernadette Sansi. 

It was attended by the President of the KDF, Directors General, School proprietors, teachers, students and their parents. 

During the ceremony, which was rich in pomp and fanfare, some deserving students who featured on the honour rolls during the 2024 Baccalaureate and General Certificate of Education, GCE, Advanced Level, examinations were rewarded. 

The meritorious students, three each from of the English and French subsystem of education, each received the sum of 500, 000 FCFA, and a brand-new laptop. 

Also, the best student in mathematics nationwide, Voukeng Yemele Lyse Prudence, who scored 20/20, was also recognised. “Miss Mathematic 2024” bagged home 500, 000 FCFA and a laptop. 

Several teachers residing in risk zones from the Far North, North West and South West regions, were also handed prizes. 

The teachers, who were hailed for braving the odds to educate children in these areas, received a laptop and the sum of 100,000 FCFA. 

Students, teachers express gratitude 

Reacting to the awards, the laureates thanked UCB and KDF, for the bold move towards supporting their education. 

Fru Allen-Brian, of Sacred Heart College in Mankon, in the North West Region, expressed joy after receiving his prize. 

Fru,18, who emerged as the overall best in Maths, Biology, and computer science nationwide according to the GCE Board, said his feat was proof that hard work pays. 

Fru explained that the award is going to help him in his education. 

“Computer Science has always been my favorite subject and I have been given a laptop. I am going to use the laptop to build my skills in computer science as the world is becoming digital,” Fru said. 

Fru also seized the opportunity to advise other student of the North West especially and the country as a whole not to give up. 

He implored them not to stop going to school stating that they should work harder. 

Another laureate, Mbuanyeh Nelly Brand of Franky Comprehensive Secondary School Melen in Yaounde, said despite the spate of challenges, he was happy to have succeeded in flying colours in computer science. 

Mbuanyeh, who scored 25 points, said: “I took the subject in Upper Sixth, so I had to cover a whole year of the work done. It was not easy. I had to work hard. I spent several hours on my own working consistently. There is no magic to succeed. It is about hard work and consistency”.

Also, Voukeng Lyse saluted the KDF for recognising her efforts and that of other laureates. She encouraged other students to draw inspiration from their accomplishment and to take their studies seriously. 

For his part, Yonta Wonou Ghislain, one of the teachers living in a risk zone, who was recognised for bravery and resilience, from the South West Region, said it was very encouraging and appreciated the foundation. 

Yonta said he was motivated to do more despite the challenges. 

He added that: “The laptop I received will be helpful to me because we are in the digital world. So, with the use of the computer, it will really help me to prepare my lessons digitally and carry out other activities”. 

Cash prizes, land titles handed to winners 

One of the highlights of the closing ceremony of the campaign was the handing over of cash prizes and land titles to some faithful customers of UCB. 

According to the Director of Marketing and Innovation at UCB, Francis Mbongue, two loyal customers in Yaounde were selected at the end of the campaign dubbed “30 million en 30 jour”. 

The aim of the campaign, it was said, was to support parents during the back-to-school period. They each received one million FCFA. Also, another customer won a piece of land. The winner, was handed the land title. 

KDF, UCB recommit to drive change, dev’t 

In her address, the President of the KDF, Lucie Sangam, paid poignant tribute to teachers for their resilience. She said she is grateful for their sacrifices and hard work. 

Sangam also acknowledged the students, who through their performances at end of year competitions, distinguished themselves. 

The KDF President stated categorically that the said students were the future leaders of tomorrow and that the foundation was proud to contribute to their educational and see them thrive in future. 

Sangam went further to explain that the event was also an opportunity to take stock of their activities and draw a balance sheet. This, she stressed, will encourage them to do better and attain their objectives. 

Enter Marketing Director 

On his part, Francis Mbongue, who attended the event in his capacity of representative of UCB Cameroun, said they were motivated to do more for the students and teachers nationwide. 

“UCB, which is part of the Kadji Groupe, through the foundation, remains committed to fast-track the development of the country. Among our priority projects, we have health, provision of portable water, assistance to victims of natural disasters like the case of the Far North but most importantly education,” Mbongue explained. 

According to Mbongue, education remains one of their priority projects. He said they are keen on encouraging excellence amongst students and even teachers. 

Mbongue also added that: “We have to encourage other youth to follow in their footsteps. To the teachers, we promise them that there are better things coming. The Kadji Groupe and the Foundation is here to encourage them in their daily endeavors”. 

Innovations for 2025 

Mbongue announced certain innovations for next year’s awards. He said that the process of selection for the best teachers in risk zones shall be done through the help of a digital platform. 

Through this platform, he said, school proprietors, officials of the ministry, teachers, parents and even students can be part of the nomination exercise. 

Mbongue said if the teachers are shortlisted among the categories that shall be made available, their educational portfolio shall be shared online and voting will be able to take place. 

Enter Minister’s representative

The representative of the minister of secondary education hailed the KDF and UCB for the remarkable gesture, which she said, was worth emulating. 

The minister’s representative also appreciated their unwavering support towards the education of students and the wellbeing of teachers across the national territory. 

The minister’s envoy added that the initiative was highly commendable because it contributes to the progress of the educational system. 

Sansi congratulated the laureates, and most especially the schools, who spare no efforts to give these students quality education. 

She also praised the teachers who distinguished themselves through their professionalism. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3252 of Monday October 07, 2024