Well merited distinction: Prof Oben clinches int’l prize for humanitarian strides.

Prof Oben who clinched the coveted prize of Most Courageous Man Award, Thursday, January 29, in Yaounde, was singled out for his actions in assisting underprivileged communities in the country.

The globally acclaimed biomedical scientist, was honoured by the United Nations, UN-CISRI, a permanent Observatory Mission in Cameroon and the Grass 2 Grace Humanitarian Organisation.

It was HRH Chief Thomas Fotang, Goodwill Ambassador of the UN-CISRI Cameroon, who handed the prize to the recipient yesterday.

This was during a reserved reception ceremony organised on the premises of the J&A Oben Foundation which is also host to the JAOF University Institute of Science and JAOF Foods Ltd. 

The event was attended by close collaborators of the Prof Oben and some members of the student community of the JAOF University Institute.

The organisers said Thursday that, Prof Oben was recognised for “for his excellent humanitarian development services rendered to less privileged communities, as a nation builder, dignified leader, exemplary nutrition expert and senior biomedical scientist par excellence in Cameroon”.

Speaking as he presented the award, Grass 2 Grace Chief Executive Officer, HRH Chief Thomas Fotang, known widely as Pa Tom, described Prof Oben as consummate humanitarian whose works have impacted thousands in Cameroon and beyond.

He said through the prize, his organisation wasn’t honouring fame but celebrating service to humanity.

“We are not applauding success. We are applauding a life that feeds a nation, educates a generation and heals humanity,” he said of the award handed Prof Oben.

Thomas Fotang, recounted that for six seasons, “Grass 2 Grace has searched for one thing; men whose courage builds Cameroon quietly and permanently”.

While throwing deserving flowers on Prof Oben, Thomas Fotang said “today, we have found one. There are scientists who publish papers. There are lecturers who teach courses. There are professionals who build careers but once in a generation, a man appears who does all three and still finds time to serve the poor…this man is Professor Oben Julius”.

Describing him as a world class nutrition expert and exceptional biomedical scientist, Thomas Fotang said Prof Oben studied science to save lives.

He said Prof Oben “entered the laboratory not to chase awards but to fight malnutrition, ignorance and suffering”.

Thomas Fotang told the Yaounde gathering that the humanitarian works of Prof Oben has restored dignity.

He said Prof Oben has proved one powerful truth that “true intelligence is not what you know, but how many lives become better because you know it”.

“Today, as workers stand before you, as a nation salutes your sacrifice, we say one thing…thank you. Thank you for choosing science with conscience. Thank you for choosing service over comfort. History will remember that in your time, you didn’t knowledge in books but you released it into human lives,” he concluded.

Enter Prof Oben Julius

In an emotional acceptance speech delivered during the ceremony, Prof Oben expressed gratitude to the organisers of the award for finding worthy of the distinction.

The senior researcher told his audience that he was deeply honoured to have been conferred the prize.

Prof Oben recounted that in his academic career spaning over three decades, he has received many awards-almost all of them earned through hard work, long nights and relentless effort.

He said: “Today’s award is different. This is the first award I am receiving effortlessly. All I had to do was to be myself and live-quite naturally-the values of the J&A Oben Foundation: honesty, transparency, resilience and above all, empathy”.

“To be recognised in this way, is both humbling and profoundly moving. This is not just an award for me; it is a testament to the collective spirit of everyone who believes in and supports the work we do at the J&A Oben Foundation,” he explained.

“To the communities and to everyone who has benefited, in one way or another, from the work we do-Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve…you have taught me invaluable lessons about strength, humanity and the urgent need to inculcate empathy in a society where too often people believe ‘its all for me and nothing for the rest’,” he concluded.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3689 of Friday January 30, 2026