Ndian youth confer Icon of Peace & Social Cohesion title on Esther Omam.

The award was presented on Friday 29 August 2025, in Buea to the laureate, Esther Omam Njomo, for being ‘the shining star and unwavering voice of peace’ not only in the Ndian Division but in the entire country. 

“This is not just a recognition of your work, it is a tribute to your unyielding courage, your tireless commitment and your selfless sacrifices in fostering dialogue, unity and lasting peace across our communities and beyond,” read an excerpt from the award. 

The young people said the efforts made by Esther Omam through her Non-Governmental Organisation, Reach Out Cameroon, have reassured them that peace is possible when compassion meets resilience, thanks to her ability to turn pain into purpose, challenges into opportunities and silence into powerful voices of hope for the marginalised.

Addressing the youth after receiving the award, Esther Omam said her heart was overwhelmed with joy, while having a renewed sense of purpose in her determination for peace and social cohesion in Cameroon.

She said the award was dedicated to all who continue to push despite the odds against them. 

“…this award is dedicated to every child who still dares to dream in the midst of gunfire, every mother who has held her family together in the face of unimaginable loss, every father who believes in the possibility of a peaceful and prosperous Ndian, and a prosperous Cameroon,” she said.

Commits to continue empowering women, communities

After receiving the award, an overjoyed Esther Omam said the recognition from her people was unique because it shows that she is not only recognised outside, but that even within her people appreciate her efforts. 

“This award is a testament that even in silence, the people see, in distance, they recognise. I used to think, perhaps wrongly, that my sacrifices, our work, meant nothing because I rarely heard your voices. But today, I know that you see me, you see us, you pray for us,” she noted.

Omam recounted some of her initiatives to empower women, raising many into leadership positions in governance structures in the Ndian Division and even beyond into different decision-making establishments. 

“We have improved livelihoods by equipping families with the skills, resources, and opportunities to build dignity and economic independence, even in the toughest times,” she added. 

She urged the Ndian youth to become architects of peace and prosperity, to dream, innovate, lead in their communities and refuse to be tools of violence or division.

Speaking to the press on behalf of youth of Ndian Division, Hoffman Bako said Esther Omam has been doing a tremendous job in peacebuilding and advocacy in Cameroon in general and Ndian in particular. 

“She has been tireless in her fight to ensure peace and development in our Division and recognising her is to show that we are behind her in all her struggles in this domain, because there can be no meaningful development without peace,” Bako said.

He reminded the laureate that Ndian youth are seeing all her efforts towards peace and sustainable development, while urging her not to relent her efforts to achieve peace and sustainable development

The Icon of Peace and Social Cohesion award was given to Esther Omam by youth of the Ndian Division in collaboration with traditional rulers, women leaders, friends of Ndian and other key stakeholders from across the world.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3554 of Thursday September 04, 2025