By Saviour Ekpe
The first female Lawyer in the Republic of Cameroun, Barr. (Mrs) Alice Nkom has extoled the sterling qualities, administrative prowess and managerial abilities of a human right activist, Dr Maximilienne Ngo Mbe Chantale.
She made the commendation during her goodwill message in Abia State in the penultimate weekend at Dr Chantale’s investiture as the Global Peace Ambassador (GPA) by the Peace International Interdisciplinary Research Institute (PIIRI), Abuja and Honoris doctoral causa award by the British America Open University of California (BAOUC) at PIIRI’s annual academic conference on the theme, Action For Peace Towards Sustainable Development In Africa.
Barr Nkom said that Africa is blessed with selfless, committed and competent leaders especially, among the female folk who are ready to sacrifice even their lives for the sake of humanity. She thanked PIIRI and BAOUC for identifying Dr Chantale for the awards and called on other leaders in the continent to do their best at any given opportunity of responsibility ftheir find themselves as according to her, global eyes are watching them.
Dr Maximilienne Ngo Mbe Chantale, a human right advocate and defender as well as a recurring figure in not only the Republic of Cameroun but the entire Eastern part of Africa and around the world, is the Executive Director of REDHAC (Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Network) with cardinal objectives of the promotion, protection, advocacy and conflict prevention and resolution, peace and human security.
Dr Chantale, who, over the years as a result of her freedom fighting for the emancipation of girl child, hate speech and the defense of human rights has been severally, honoured both at home and in the Diaspora such as Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Laureate in 2022; IWOC – International Women of courage award, 2021 especially for her courageous leadership in promoting human rights in Central Africa, and her advocacy for a peaceful solution to the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon despite great personal risk and sacrifice and was signed by Antony J. Blinken, the US Secretary of State. Other notable awards include PANAFES (Pan African Cultural Festival in Africa) 2021 – this is the most Innovative and Results Making Human Rights Defender in Central Africa; FEMINA AWARDS 2021, ACT 1 Determination Award for her relentless work in the fight to protect the Rights of Women and the Girl Child; African Defenders 2019, Resilience Award and recognition for her exceptional impact on human rights in Central Africa among many others.
In her acceptance speech shortly after the conferment of the epochal awards, Dr Maximilienne who was filled with a heart of gratitude thanked the organisers for identifying her sacrifices and nominated her for the prestigious awards, dedicated the awards to her supporters, family, colleagues, and mentors and promised to do more to humanity, “I am deeply humbled to stand before you today, accepting this two-fold award, the honorary doctoral award from the British American Open University of California, USA and the Global Peace Ambassador Award from the Peace International Interdisciplinary Research Institute (PIIRI), Abuja. This recognition is not only a tremendous honor but also a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and community engagement.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the university’s board of trustees, faculty, and staff for this distinguished award. Your acknowledgment of my work and contributions as human rights defender is truly overwhelming. I want to acknowledge the presence of senior Senior barrister Alice Nkom, the first female lawyer in Cameroon who is the co-president of the board of directors of, Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, REDHAC who has believed in me since I was an activist till this day. I am infinitely grateful to you Mom. I dedicate this award to all the members of the board of directors, to the legal counsel of REDHAC, to all the staff, all those who directly or indirectly supported me, to all the dead defenders, those who are in prison and in exiles who could not have the luck that I have. I also want to dedicate it to my two dads who always believed in me but who left very early, they include Mr. Mbe ILOGA Thomas and Mr. Moukoko Priso.
“These awards are not solely mine; like I just mentioned moments ago, they belong to everyone especially those standing for the less privileged in our continent, those who have supported me throughout my journey as a human rights defender. To my family, colleagues, and mentors, your unwavering encouragement and guidance have shaped me into the person I am today”.
The event was rounded off with the issuance of powerful communiqué, jointly signed by Prof. Idorenyin Etukudo, Chairman of the Communiqué drafting Committee; Dr Saviour Ekpe, JP, Secretary and Engr (Dr) Etimbuk Umoh among other things stated 1. That the Nigerian government should as a matter of urgency, set up a peace resolution committee to identify the causes of incessant violence, kidnapping, gruesome killings in some part of the country with a view to finding permanent solution to these areas especially, northeast, north central, Kaduna south, southeast, Niger Delta among others and appoint persons with impeccable character with consistent good report to serve in the committee 2. That Nigerian government should revitalize and revamp infrastructural facilities such as road network, schools, hospitals, electricity etc apart from facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services; it stimulates economic growth and above all, enhances the living condition of the people 3. In order to alleviate pains on Nigerians and create sustainable economic development, the four government-own refineries should be made operational by refining petroleum products for use by Nigerians as well as for export 4. That the Nigerian government should support, encourage and majorly patronize local manufacturers as this will guarantee sustainable development, thereby adding to the country’s GDP and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign exchange 5. In the same vain, African leaders through various regional bodies should ensure visa free access within the African continent. This will guarantee economic growth within Africa 6. African Union should develop a master plan for an inter-continental rail line across African nations and 7. African Union and all its members states including Nigeria to create a special fund for researchers and encourage captains of industries to tap from the fountain of resources abound in the untapped research banks across Nigeria and Africa.