The 2026 edition of the Ndiengso Excellence Award ceremony took place on September 5, 2026, at the Bafoussam Community Hall in the Essomba neighborhood, bringing together an array of parents, elites, traditional rulers, community heads, and students.
The annual event organized by Ndiengso Elites of Yaounde celebrated the academic achievements of nearly 250 laureates ranging from Primary 1 to Upper Sixth. Among the highlights were special prizes awarded to successful candidates of the GCE Advanced Level and Baccalaureate examinations, honoring their exceptional dedication to high academic standards. Each student received tailored educational packages including exercise books, pens, pencils, math sets, customized school bags, and official curriculum textbooks designed to equip them directly for the upcoming academic year.
Highlighting the evolution of the initiative, Nguetchueng Fotso Emmanuel, President of the Ndiengso Elites of Yaounde, emphasized how the quality of support provided to local youth continues to expand. Over the past two decades, the organizers have strengthened the prize packages to ensure that high-performing students can enter their classrooms fully prepared on the first day of school without financial stress on their families.
He further highlighted the community’s broader commitment to cultural preservation, noting the success of the annual language courses organized every June and July at the community foyer. Nguetchueng encouraged the youth to maintain their drive for leadership and expressed gratitude to the Bafoussam elites across Yaounde for their unwavering financial and moral support.
Providing perspective on the true meaning of academic success, Sadie Nkuintcheu, Chief of Ndiengso Communication in Yaounde, stressed that excellence goes beyond merely passing an exam to achieving top-tier results. Commemorating 24 years of the initiative, Nkuintcheu called on former beneficiaries to return as mentors and actively contribute to the community’s growth.
Addressing the crowd, he reminded the young learners that they possess greater opportunities than previous generations, encouraging them to seek out high-performing peers, embrace continuous effort, and aim for professional careers, such as engineering, by leveraging the modern guidance available to them.
Nkuintcheu also addressed parents directly, emphasizing that educational responsibility extends well beyond paying tuition and purchasing school supplies. He urged parents to establish a routine of daily academic monitoring, pointing out that consistent evening check-ins prevent unpleasant surprises and ensure children remain accountable throughout the school year.
By offering active guidance rather than waiting for end-of-year report cards, parents play a pivotal role in keeping students focused on their studies and preventing distractions that could derail their academic trajectories.
The impact of the ceremony resonated strongly among the young recipients, including Tchioumtchoua Takam Prince Arnol, a Form 4 mechanics student at Le Bon Berger Technical College in Carrefour de l’Amitié. Expressing gratitude for his prize, Arnol shared his enthusiasm for completing his technical studies and applying his mechanical skills in the professional world. His ambition reflects the overarching objective of the Ndiengso Excellence Awards: to galvanize local youth, boost self-confidence, and foster a generation of practical, skilled leaders within the community.
The successful staging of the 2026 event reaffirms the Ndiengso community’s collective resolve to prioritize youth development, education, and cultural identity. By combining material support for back-to-school readiness with strong community mentorship, the Ndiengso Elites continue to establish a sustainable framework for academic success.
As the new academic year begins, both organizers and beneficiaries remain committed to sustaining this 24-year legacy of excellence and community solidarity.
