For promoting living together, peaceful co-existence: Minister Mengot conferred National Unity Champion crown.

The event was the second edition of the Cameroon English Language Publishers' Association, CENPA Awards. 

The award jury, comprising renowned human rights actor, Tambe Tiku Christopher as President; famed human rights lawyer, Felix Nkongho Agbor as Secretary and CENPA President, Ngah Christian Mbipgo, conferred on the Minister the recognition of: “National Unity and Living Together Champion”.

According to the jury, the decoration is “For championing President Biya's National Unity & living together vision, through intercommunity marriages”. 

The award, Tambe Tiku said during the event, is a distinction handed to deserving citizens. He said it is different from “the government-type, where people apply and follow up to be given medals”.

He explained that the award is based on the observation of citizens who, in their daily engagements, take pulse of what others do. 

To ensure those awarded merited the recognition, he disclosed that “…some members of the jury will tell you there were some names that came up and I out rightly rejected with evidences on the ground”.

Tambe Tiku congratulated the winners and urged them to be proud of earning the recognitions from CENPA. 

He said: “It is so easy to say you are the chairperson of an award jury but you don’t know the number of persons out there who are also expecting awards and of course, not everybody can win an award”.

The respected human rights crusader added that: “…If you do a good job, the people should recognise you...”

Recognition a call to do more

In a note of appreciation addressed to CENPA, through its President, Kristian Ngah Christian, a copy of which The Guardian Post read through, Minister Mengot said the recognition is a call for him to do more.

He expressed gratitude to CENPA, adding that he is, “deeply humbled and profoundly moved by this recognition…Thank you once more for this incredible honour. I am truly grateful to CENPA for this recognition and will strive to continue contributing to the building of a stronger and more united Cameroon”.

Going by the Minister, “...in accepting this award, I consider it not just a personal accolade, but a call to continue fostering understanding, tolerance, and respect among all communities in Cameroon”.

Minister Mengot renewed his determination to continue “working towards a future where unity and peaceful coexistence are not just ideals, but a lived reality for all Cameroonians”.

Factoring the recent marriage of his son, Ako-Difang Mengot, from his native Manyu Division in the South West Region, to Princess Amatullah Malika Ndam Njoya of the Bamoum Kingdom, Noun Division in the West Region, the minister said the union is a symbol of national unity.

Citing President Biya’s attachment to the virtues of national unity and living together, the member of government added that, the union is also “a testament to the rich diversity and cultural tapestry of our nation, and the strength that comes from embracing our shared humanity”.

It should be recalled that though he hails from Mamfe, Manyu Division in the South West Region, Minister Mengot is married to a woman from Boyo, in the North West Region. 

Described as a veritable national unity and living together champion, Minister Mengot, we gathered, is surrounded by close collaborators from diverse backgrounds.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3500 of Friday July 11, 2025