Douala City Mayor says Nico Halle’s award gallery national treasure.

The visit brought together the close collaborators of the Douala City Mayor and those of the legal luminary in a moment marked by strong calls for peace, moral renewal, good governance, and collective responsibility in nation building.

In his opening remarks, Ntumfor Nico Halle underscored that the numerous national and international distinctions displayed in the gallery are not personal achievements, but a collective heritage, belonging to Cameroonians, Africans, and the global community.

“These awards belong to the people. Without them, I would not have received such recognition,” he stated.

Reflecting on over 30 years of activism, Ntumfor Nico Halle highlighted his unwavering commitment to promoting peace, fighting corruption, combating discrimination, and advancing democracy and good governance across Africa.

He further stressed the need to go beyond the rule of law, by embracing what he described as the “rule of love”. 

“The rule of law alone has failed in many instances. If we must succeed, we must attach to it the rule of love. Love is what binds humanity and guarantees lasting peace,” he said.

Integrity in election observation, recognition from the Presidency

Ntumfor Nico Halle also recounted his experience as an election observer, particularly in Cameroon’s North West Region, where he supervised electoral processes under challenging conditions, while heading the then election body, National Elections Observatory, NEO, in the Region. 

He emphasised that his mission was guided strictly by neutrality, transparency, and the will of the people.

“I did not go there to favour any candidate. My duty was to ensure that the elections reflected the true will of the people,” he noted.

According to him, his work earned recognition at the highest level of the State, including commendation from the Presidency, for what was described as a job well done.

“When you satisfy the people, you indirectly satisfy the Head of State,” he remarked, reaffirming his commitment to integrity and fairness in public service.

He used the occasion to pledge his desire to uphold moral values, rigour and moralisation as enshrined in President Biya’s book “Communal Liberalism”. 

According to him, the discourses and prescriptions of the Head of State in the said book remain a bedrock for development, if those prescriptions are upheld by public authorities.

He was thankful to the fact that after having spent over 30 years in Douala, he has never run into any troubles with the owners of the land, this largely because he has ensured to observe the laws of living together and has contributed his quota to the development of the city. 

He hailed the City Mayor, Dr Roger Mbassa Ndine, for leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the town is developed. 

He however, did not fail to point out some of the lapses with major infrastructures like roads, and insalubrity. He called on the City Mayor to mobilise more efforts to ensure that roads get into quarters that have been newly constructed.

A call for moral renewal

For Ntumfor Nico Halle, the visit goes beyond recognition; it was to him a blessing in time of the Holy Week and a reminder of the urgent need for moral transformation in society. He warned that corruption remains a major impediment to national development, despite Cameroon’s vast natural resources.

Dr Mbassa Ndine hails ‘a national treasure’

Speaking after touring the gallery, Dr Mbassa Ndine praised Ntumfor Nico Halle’s exceptional legacy, describing the exhibition as a powerful testimony of global recognition for values that Cameroon must uphold.

“This gallery is a national treasure. It reflects a lifetime of commitment to peace, justice, love, and good governance- values that are recognised worldwide,” the City Mayor said.

He further commended Ntumfor Nico Halle for inspiring generations and projecting a positive image of Cameroon on the international stage.

The City Mayor used the occasion to highlight Douala’s reputation as a cosmopolitan and hospitable city that offers opportunities to all.

“Douala is a city that welcomes everyone. It is a land of opportunity, where many have built wealth and achieved success,” he stated.

However, he stressed that with opportunity comes responsibility, urging residents to actively contribute to the city’s development and beautification.

“If the city gives you the opportunity to prosper, you must also give back by keeping it clean and attractive. Beautifying Douala is a responsibility we all share,” he urged.

He insisted that civic discipline, sanitation, and urban pride are essential for sustaining economic growth and improving living conditions.

Urban challenges amid rapid growth

Dr Mbassa Ndine acknowledged the growing pressure on the city’s infrastructure due to rapid population increase, revealing that Douala receives close to 100,000 new residents annually.

The demographic surge, he noted, has intensified challenges related to waste management, road infrastructure, traffic congestion, and urban planning.

“We are doing our best with limited resources, but the needs are enormous. The city is expanding rapidly, and we must plan accordingly,” he explained.

Special commissions for targeted development

In response to the challenges, the City Mayor announced the creation of special development mechanisms aimed at addressing specific localities.

He disclosed that a special commission has been set up for the development of Bonaberi, a densely populated and economically strategic area facing accessibility and infrastructural constraints.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3749 of Thursday April 02, 2026