Winning Internationally & Nationally:
Bali Nyonga Fon Knights Prof Mbarika For Outstanding Dev’t Exploits
The ICT University Founder was decorated by the First Class traditional ruler, His Majesty Fon Doh Ganyonga III, Sunday July 30 for being a development trailblazer on several fronts and bringing honour to Cameroon
Story, KAH Patience
Celebrated Cameroonian scholar, Prof Victor Mbarika who is Founder and vision bearer of the admired higher institution of learning, ICT University, has been decorated by the revered traditional ruler of Bali Nyonga, Fon Doh Ganyonga III, in Mezam Division of the North West region for his indefatigable development exploits.
Prof Victor Mbarika was conferred the privileged title of Ba Nkom Gwandama, which raises him to the dignity of a cabinet member in the Bali Nyonga chiefdom and make the scholar and asset to royalty and development.
The title Is a one of the distinguished recognitions in the Bali Nyonga Fondom and is rarely conferred on people. The recognition was given on Sunday July 30 in Yaounde.
The traditional recognition Is in honour of Prof Mbarika’s unwavering and unassuming services to mankind and the promotion of education in the country and across the world. Prof Mbarika’s exploits and achievements, going by Fon Doh Ganyonga III, can’t go unnoticed. It is for this reason the ICT University Founder was celebrated and honoured for service to humanity.
“It was a pleasure to receive one of our illustrious sons who is a light to society. He takes pleasure in bringing light and making people happy,” Fon Doh Ganyonga III said.
He added that, “In my capacity as a prominent Fon in the country, I welcomed him and his entourage in rather short notice. But it was a pleasure to have them around and to motivate him to continue in this intellectual and other efforts aimed at making society a pleasant place for Cameroonians”.
He hailed Prof Mbarika for making a difference by putting home country as priority “When he looks back and tries to help the development of our country, I think it is a very laudable initiative that needs to be supported”.
The US-based Professor has impacted thousands of lives through his ICT vision. Recently, over 500 youngsters graduated from the ICT University with bachelors, Masters and PhD certificates. This number adds to the thousands already flooding the world innovation and creating jobs.
It should be noted that, the ICT University has trained and is still training hundreds of job creators. These ICT University trained job creators have created apps, and other business related initiatives. There have been proven sustainable and attainable. Prof Mbarika has succeeded to lead a generation of innovative thinkers who maximize opportunities and spring surprises.
In response, Prof Mbarika thanked His Royal Majesty, Fon Doh Ganyonga III and his notables for “the great surprise”. To Mbarika, the recognition is a blessing to him and entire ICT University family which he dedicated the award to.
Prof Mbarika was accompanied to the traditional award ceremony by a college of ICT University staff and friends. The title awarded during a surprised ceremony saw the presence of high ranking notables of the Bali Nyonga Fondom.
About Prof Mbarika Victor
Prof Victor Mbarika is an American professor of Cameroonian nationality shining the light across the world. He hails from Zang Tabi in Momo Division of the North West Region. He is currently the Stallings International Distinguished Scholar and MIS Professor at East Carolina University within the University of North Carolina System, in Greenville, North Carolina, United States.
Prof Mbarika who is also a philanthropist par excellence has tutored and nurtured several Cameroonian intellectuals. Some of them leading in public universities, he supervised their doctora theses.
About the Ba Nkom Gwandama Title
The “Ba Nkom” traditional title is awarded to men who have proven some degree of hard work, honesty and command influence in society. By this recognition, Prof Mbarika enters the class of being able and committed to represent the Fon whenever and wherever needs arises. It is one of the highest traditional recognition of the Bali Nyonga Fondom.
After princes, the Ba Nkoms are the most influential. They are considered Ministers of the Fondom who constitute the traditional cabinet of the Palace. A Ba Nkom is also one who has contributed to the development of his community or done something of general impact.
In Bali Nyonga, when someone becomes A Ba Nkom, he doesn’t shake hands with people. He is conspicuously identified with the wearing of a Red feather on his Cap. It is the prerogative of the Fon to award the Ba Nkom title.
The title could be accompanied by a name designated by the Fon in collaboration with the King Makers and traditional Council.
