Recognition: Ndansi Elvis Receives Two Excellence Awards in Three Months

Bamenda, Cameroon—Ndansi Elvis, 29, national youth president of the NUDP party, founder and CEO of Unite for Health Foundation Clinic-with branches dotted all over the country has again been recognized for his outstanding role in promoting youth participation in politics and governance.

Ndansi receives a bouquet of flowers from his Mum

Ndansi was Saturday June 14 at the premises of Azam Hotel, Bamenda declared most exemplary young Cameroonian of the year during the maiden edition of the Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) Northwest youth promoter award for excellence.

“I feel very humbled by this other award because to be given an award as the most exemplary young Cameroonian, it means the population of the Northwest that voted saw in me some qualities that they think Cameroon youths should emulate”, elated Ndansi said.

 “I will thank those who voted for minimizing my errors and paying attention to my positive action because as a human being I can’t say I am infallible”, the CRTV Northwest honoree added.

It should be recalled that on April 5 this year, Ndansi received a similar award from The Guardian Post media group during an occasion in Kumba.

“It forces blood into my heart to see that all these things are happening just almost at the same time”, Ndansi said.

Apart being a giant promoter of youth activities, Ndansi Elvis is a long tested member of his party, having served in diverse functions before being elected national youth president in 2012 during the party’s congress.

Analysts say last Saturday’s award is supported by his political strength in the Northwest region and beyond, one which has encouraged many youth to get interested in the political affairs of their communities.

“We need not make mountains to move in order to be recognized, but that the little things we do at the community or village level, even at the level of your neighborhood can be recognized by somebody. Even if it is not in the form of an award, there is one divine recognition that come from God”, Ndansi believes.

Observers say Ndansi Elvis’s involvement in politics has changed the mindset of many young Cameroonian who hitherto perceived latter as a thing for the old.

In 2007, at 24 he was the council list leader for the Misaje council on the UNDP ticket during the twin elections. The party emerged second behind the SDF. Also in 2013, he stood the parliamentarian election as candidate for the Donga Matung west constituency (Ako & Miseja).

Ndansi had received a similar award in Kumba early this year

Meanwhile, addressing laureates and guests at the start of the event, the Coordinator of the CRTV Northwest weekly program, Youth Forum and initiator of the youth promoter Award, Mr Cham Victor Bama saluted the massive attendance of peoples of all walks of life describing it as proof of the importance attached to the award ceremony.

He disclosed that the youth promoter award which would eventually become a yearly exercise is out to recognize the activities of individuals in the promotion of youth activities in the region. Cham Victor then used the occasion to thank the management of CRTV Northwest for throwing their support behind the initiative.

The president of the Jury, Barrister Kemende Henry while declaring the winners of the various awards said the laureates where voted by the people of the Northwest through text messages, telephone calls as well as voting through live call-in radio programs over the regional station. He said the credibility of the awards could not be over emphasized given that the counting of the votes was transparent and the outcome of the results truly reflect the personalities voted.

Other speakers at the event such as CRTV Northwest regional station manager, Freddy Eta Besong, the CEO of St. Louis Group, Dr. Nick Ngwanyam and the social and cultural affairs adviser at the Northwest Governor’s office, Mr Nji Joseph all hailed the organizers for the initiative.

By Mua Patrick and Ndi Eugene Ndi in Bamenda