Service to humanity: Tanyi Nixson bags international award.

The civil servant currently serving at the Ministry of Finance, was honoured by United Nations, UN-CISRI, a permanent Observatory Mission in Cameroon and the Grass 2 Grace Humanitarian Organisation.

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

This was during a reserved reception ceremony, staged at the Yaounde-Odza villa of Tanyi Nixson. The event was attended by family members and friends of the awardee.

When Thomas Fotang took the floor at the ceremony, he said Tanyi Nixson was being celebrated as a man whose life reminds “us that goodness still exists, that public service can still be noble, and that greatness is measured, not by what we accumulate, but by what we give away”.

Thomas Fotang, who sits atop the Grass 2 Grace Humanitarian organisation, noted that in every generation, God raises few men and women who refuse to live only for themselves. 

He said such men and women become answers to other people's prayers and light where there is darkness, hope where there is despair, and strength where there is weakness.

Thomas Fotang said Tanyi Nixson was one of such men. Describing him as a dynamic, visionary Cameroonian, distinguished civil servant, a patriot, philanthropist, nation builder and humanitarian, Fotang said Tanyi Nixson understands that public office is not merely a privilege, but an opportunity to serve humanity.

He said: “In a world where many people spend their lives asking, ‘What can my country do for me?’ this remarkable son of Guzang has chosen instead to ask, ‘What can I do for my people?’'

He recalled that a few months ago, Tanyi Nixson had quietly returned to the community that nurtured him- Ebonji in Tombel Subdivision. Fotang said Tanyi Nixson did not return with empty promises but compassion and hope.

“He returned carrying life. He donated a brand-new baby incubator, worth millions of CFA francs, to the Ebonji Subdivisional Hospital, together with modern hospital beds,” he recalled, noting that to some people, those are simply medical equipment “But to a premature baby fighting for life...that incubator is another chance to breathe. To a mother who fears losing her newborn, it is hope. To a father standing helplessly beside a hospital bed, it is a miracle”.

Fotang said while some people build monuments of concrete, Tanyi Nixson has chosen to build monuments of the heart.

“His generosity did not stop at the hospital. He returned to Government High School Ebonji -the very school that helped shape his future. He rewarded academic excellence. He encouraged excellence. He inspired dreams. He reminded every child sitting in those classrooms that where you come from should never determine where you are going,” he continued.

Living no one behind…

Speaking further during the Yaounde event, Thomas Fotang praised Tanyi Nixson for constantly reaching out to vulnerable persons and those in need.

He told the gathering that since the crisis in the North West and South West Regions began, Tanyi Nixson has continued to stand beside orphans; widows; lnternally Displaced Persons, lDPs, and vulnerable families.

Commending him for understanding a timeless truth that true measure of success is not how many people know your name, but how many lives are better because you lived, Fotang Thomas said Tanyi Nixson remains a bright star among his contemporaries.

Fotang said while the Head of State recently recognised Tanyi’s outstanding services by decorating him as a Knight of the Cameroon Order of Valour, Grass 2 Grace Humanitarian Organisation had come “to say that while government decorate outstanding citizens, communities must also celebrate them”.

“At Grass 2 Grace, we believe that when society celebrates good people, more good people will rise. When kindness is honoured, kindness multiplies. When compassion is rewarded, compassion spreads,” he said.

Fotang recalled that for the past years, his organisation has travelled across the seven Regions of Cameroon, searching for extraordinary men and women whose lives inspire hope. He said their mission has never been to celebrate wealth but impact.

Award a catalyst…

Meanwhile, in an acceptance speech, delivered during Tuesday’s ceremony, a visibly elated Tanyi Nixson thanked organisers of the award for finding him worthy of the distinction. He said the award will serve as a catalyst in his efforts towards assisting persons in need.

“This award marks a milestone for our journey towards supporting humanity. I appreciate the work being done by Grass 2 Grace. This recognition for me remains a catalyst for the work we do,” he said, advising that general interest should always come first before all other personal considerations.

Tanyi noted that: “When God has blessed us, we should be a blessing to others. We should be able to impact humanity because we will be remembered mostly for the lives we touched and not the number of houses we built”.

He said he was dedicating the award “to God, my mentors and my beloved wife”.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3864 of Friday July 31, 2026