Bokwaongo Chief hails Nico Halle as model of peace, integrity.

The monarch made the remarks on Tuesday, March 17, during a visit to the Award Gallery of Sir Dr Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle in Douala.

The award gallery showcases decades of national and international recognitions bestowed on the legal luminary for his tireless advocacy for peace, good governance, and the fight against corruption.

Chief Njie Mbonde was accompanied by a delegation of notables from his chiefdom. He said the visit was motivated by the desire to personally appreciate the long-standing commitment of Nico Halle to promoting peace and moral values in Cameroon and beyond.

The traditional ruler said the gallery serves as a powerful testimony of the impact that one individual can have when guided by strong values and an unwavering commitment to the common good.

According to the monarch, Cameroon currently needs role models who can guide the nation back to the values of peace, unity, integrity and social responsibility that once characterised the country.

Chief Njie Mbonde noted that Cameroon is presently experiencing numerous social and political challenges, including threats to peace and social cohesion, making it important for citizens to draw inspiration from individuals who have consistently championed ethical leadership and peaceful coexistence.

“The gallery is a very important initiative because it shows what great minds can do when they commit themselves to the service of humanity,” Chief Njie Mbonde said.

He added that: “Our nation is in search of values that many feel have been lost over the years. The peace we used to enjoy is increasingly being threatened, and so too is the unity and social cohesion that for a long time defined us as a people. In such an environment, we need role models who can stand as torchbearers of the ideals that we fundamentally represent as a nation”.

The traditional ruler further explained that he decided to visit the gallery with notables of his chiefdom in order to demonstrate that the admiration for Nico Halle’s work goes beyond personal friendship and represents a collective recognition of the values he stands for.

“I did not want to come alone because this is not simply a matter between Albert Njie Mbonde and Nico Halle. It is about values that are fundamental to our well-being as a people and as a nation,” the monarch explained.

Chief Njie Mbonde also used the opportunity to share with his host the realities currently being experienced within the Bokwaongo-Membea community, particularly in relation to the presence of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, who have fled the ongoing crisis in the North West and South West Regions.

He revealed that many IDPs have found refuge in Bokwaongo-Membea where they are engaged in farming and small businesses, contributing to the local economy while seeking stability and safety.

According to Chief Njie Mbonde, the traditional leadership and the local population have made conscious efforts to ensure that the displaced persons feel welcomed and integrated into the community.

“We are trying to make sure that those who have come to seek refuge with us feel at home and not like strangers,” he explained.

“They are farming, they are carrying out business activities, and from time to time as a chiefdom or even as individuals, whenever we can help, we do so in the hope that one day normalcy will return and those who wish to return to their various homes will do so in dignity and in peace,” he said.

Chief Njie Mbonde also emphasised that despite the broader regional crisis, Bokwaongo-Membea has remained relatively peaceful, thanks to the vigilance and collective commitment of community leaders and residents.

He said maintaining that peace remains one of the biggest responsibilities of the traditional authority.

Chief Njie Mbonde further revealed that the chiefdom has been undertaking several development initiatives aimed at improving living conditions for both indigenes and residents, including internally displaced persons.

The initiatives, he said, include extending water supply networks, addressing electricity challenges through the installation of transformers, and supporting schools with equipment such as computers.

He noted that leadership today requires a broader vision and a deeper sense of responsibility, especially given the growing challenges faced by communities.

“My grandfather reigned for 44 years, but the realities today are different. The scope of thinking today cannot be the same. The challenges facing our communities are far greater and the resources are limited. That is why we are doing our best to respond to those challenges,” he explained.

While acknowledging the difficulties, the chief said the community has continued to receive support from sons and daughters of the village living in other parts of Cameroon and abroad.

He also pointed out that beyond material support, the moral and spiritual encouragement of well-wishers has been equally important in sustaining development efforts within the chiefdom.

Nico Halle appreciates leadership 

Speaking during the visit, Ntumfor Nico Halle expressed deep appreciation to Chief Njie Mbonde and his delegation for honouring him with the visit and for supporting the ideals behind the award gallery initiative.

He explained that the gallery was created not as a personal monument but as a source of inspiration for young people and for anyone interested in promoting peace and ethical leadership.

The legal mind disclosed that the gallery currently houses 204 awards received over 30 years from various national and international institutions in recognition of his peace advocacy and efforts to promote good governance.

According to him, more than sixty percent of the awards displayed are related to peacebuilding, while others recognise his work in promoting transparency, accountability and ethical leadership.

“These awards do not belong to me alone,” Nico Halle stated, adding that: “They belong to all those who have encouraged me over the years to continue the struggle for peace, the fight against corruption and the promotion of moral values in our society”.

The peace advocate used the opportunity to lament the growing wave of violence and conflicts across the world, including the devastating wars and crises affecting different regions.

He said as someone deeply committed to peace, he often feels deeply troubled by the suffering caused by wars and violent conflicts.

“When I watch the news and see what is happening in different parts of the world, it pains me deeply because life is sacred. Life comes from God and none of us has the right to take the life of another person,” he remarked.

Nico Halle stressed that the absence of love, justice and respect for human dignity often lies at the heart of many conflicts in the world making references to the war in Iran and greater part of the middle East.

He questioned the relevance of the World order, United Nations. He went forward to call on leaders at all levels, from international organisations to national governments and local authorities, to prioritise dialogue, justice and reconciliation as pathways to sustainable peace.

Nico Halle also reiterated his determination to continue advocating for peace, moral renewal and the fight against corruption in Cameroon and beyond.

He also commended Chief Njie Mbonde for his efforts to promote spirituality, morality, development and responsible leadership within his community.

According to Nico Halle, traditional rulers have a crucial role to play in shaping the moral direction of society.

“If a leader brings spirituality and morality to his people, he strengthens the foundations of society,” he said, noting that: “Leadership is about guiding people to live in truth, dignity and responsibility”.

The visit concluded with a presentation of symbolic gift from the notables of Bokwaongo-Membea village to Nico Halle. 

This article article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3736 of Thursday March 19, 2026