Nico Halle’s award gallery beacon of integrity, inspiration – NCC boss.

The award gallery is lodged at the Nico Halle and Co. Law Firm in Bonaberi, Douala, Wouri in the Littoral Region.

Chebongkeng was accompanied during the visit by his close collaborators, amongst them, the Vice President of the NCC, members of the council among others.

Far from a routine courtesy call, the visit evolved into a profound moment of reflection on lifelong brotherhood shared, values, leadership, and legacy from the time they both crossed parts as Church leaders in their respective congregations.

Welcoming his guests, Ntumfor Nico Halle set the tone with a reflective address, framing the gallery not as a “personal archive of achievements” but as a shared moral and intellectual heritage for the general.

“This gallery does not belong to me,” he emphasised, adding that: “It belongs to all Cameroonians, to Africans, and to all who believe in the values of justice, truth, and peace”.

Hosting some 204 awards from diverse national and international institutions, the gallery stands as a testament to decades of engagement in legal practice, media advocacy, election observation, and peacebuilding, anti-corruption crusade, church and community service. 

Ntumfor Nico Halle explained that, the idea of creating the space emerged almost unintentionally. 

He recalled that after years of receiving recognitions, he initially stored without much thought.

“At a certain point, the awards became too many to ignore. It was then that the idea came to create a space where they could serve a higher purpose, educating, inspiring, and reminding others of what is possible through principled living,” he noted.

Lifelong commitment to moral values

Tracing his journey, Ntumfor Nico Halle highlighted the formative influence of his father and his early Christian upbringing, which instilled in him a deep attachment to moral uprightness, service, and truth. 

From his days in PCC's Christian Youth Fellowship to leadership roles in Christian Men Fellowship at national level, he said his path has consistently been guided by the desire to uphold ethical standards.

Over the years, he has held key responsibilities, including contributions to constitutional work within African church bodies and participation in election observation missions across the continent. 

The experiences, he said, reinforced his conviction that integrity must remain central in both governance and civic engagement.

“I have always believed that if one stands for the truth, he or she must be ready to stand alone,” he stated, noting that: “...integrity is non- negotiable”.

Rejecting ‘commercialised honours’

One of the most striking aspects of Ntumfor Nico Halle’s address was his firm stance against what he described as the growing trend of “commercialised awards”.

He revealed that he has rejected numerous honours that required financial contributions or lacked clear justification.

“You cannot tell me I am the best in something without evidence and then attach an invoice. That is hypocrisy,” he said. “I do not buy awards, and I will never do so,” he insisted.

He insisted that every award displayed in the gallery was earned through verifiable contributions and reflects genuine recognition from credible institutions.

Source of inspiration, encouragement

In his remarks, NCC President, Joseph Chebongkeng Kalabubsu described the visit as both enlightening and deeply inspiring, noting that the gallery represents far more than a collection of trophies.

“Visiting this gallery is a source of inspiration and encouragement,” he stated. 

“It reflects a life of resilience, uprightness, and unwavering commitment to values that are essential for our society today” he went on.

He underscored the importance of credibility in public recognition, adding that each award, regardless of its size or origin, carries weight because it represents acknowledgment from a specific community or institution.

“What matters is that somewhere, someone or a group of people found your contribution worthy of recognition,” he said.

The NCC boss further reflected on the concept of legacy, stressing that individuals are ultimately remembered for the values they embody and the impact they leave behind.

“What we leave behind as memory will determine whether our names endure or fade away,” he remarked.

Call for moral governance

Beyond personal reflections, Ntumforv Nico Halle used the occasion to deliver a strong message on governance and societal responsibility. 

He warned that without moral values; national development efforts would remain ineffective.

“Without moral values, you cannot build a nation,” he asserted, calling on leaders across sectors, politics, law, religion, and media to act with integrity and accountability.

He challenged citizens at all levels from villages to national institutions to take responsibility in combating corruption, insisting that change must begin with individuals.

“What are you doing at your level to fight corruption?” he asked. “We cannot continue blaming others while doing nothing ourselves”.

Peace as a non-negotiable ideal

A central theme of Ntumfor Nico Halle ’s address was the urgent need for peace, which he described as the most precious asset for any society. 

Drawing from both local and global contexts, he lamented the misuse of power by leaders who, instead of serving humanity, perpetuate conflict and suffering.

“Peace is non-negotiable,” he stressed. “If you have power, use it to uplift people, not to destroy them,” Ntumfor Nico Halle stated.

Referencing moral teachings such as the Golden Rule in the Bible, which states, "Love your neighbor as yourself, "he urged leaders and citizens alike to embrace love, justice, and empathy as guiding principles in both public and private lives.

Members of the NCC delegation on their part, also expressed admiration for Ntumfor Nico Halle ’s humility and consistency, describing him as a role model, whose life offers practical lessons for younger generations.

They highlighted his openness, willingness to share experiences, and dedication to mentoring others as qualities that distinguish him in Cameroon’s public space.

The NCC boss encouraged Ntumfor Nico Halle to continue his advocacy, noting that his work remains relevant in addressing contemporary challenges such as corruption, misinformation, and declining public trust.

This article was first published The Guardian Post Edition No:3756 of Friday April 10, 2026