Prof Victor Mbarika: When The Candle Is Lighted, London Shines

 By A Correspondent 

No one lights a candle and puts it under the bed, the risk is that it can burn the room; hence it should be placed in the open.

This is the case with the candle of the founder of the ICT University, Cameroon’s internationally acclaimed scholar and philanthropist, Professor Victor Mbarika.

Another candle was lighted in his life recently in London as he was conferred the Excellence in Leadership Award in London.

The Advocate is proud of this recognition and can only take the candle to the upper room for the light to be seen.

The prestigious award was conferred on Prof Mbarika during a ceremony in London, United Kingdom on July 14th.

 The distinction came on the recommendation of the Advisory Board and Under the Authorization granted by Board of Trustees.

He received the award at the palace of Westminster, United Kingdom’s Houses of Parliament.

 The distinguish award is signed by Dr Susan Fajana-Thomas O.B.E, chairman of the African Achiever’s  Awards and Dr Tonye Rex Idaminabon, FRSA, who is Chief  Executive of the awards committee.

The award for the celebrated scholar and outstanding Cameroonian whom Prof Mbarika is comes after the likes of South Africa’s Nelson Mandela; Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere; Burkina Faso’s Thomas Sankara; Liberia’s Ellen Johnson and Ghana’s Nkwame Nkrumah, Kenyatta:

Professor Victor Mbarika who is President and Founder of the prestigious ICT University, is an academic mover and shaker who has transformed and is still giving Africa’s education a fresh impetus.

He received this distinct award in the presence of Lord Simon Wooley, member of the House of Lords Uk.  

Prof Mbarika has been saluted for using the event to bring honour to Cameroon. He was neatly dressed with a tie that bore the colours of Cameroon’s flag.

As a man who fears God, Prof Victor Mbarika in his opening  remarks after  receiving the award  thanked  God for  bestowing such honour on his person before dedicating the recognition to Cameroon.

He described his “beloved country, Cameroon where I started learning leadership as a youngster and also to my father and hero, Mr. George Mbarika”. He told the audience that: “As a means to portray my patriotism and honor my country, I decided to present myself in a tie with Cameroon’s flag’’.

Prof Mbarika did not also forget other upcoming African leaders to whom he also dedicated the award, especially those he has mentored.

He promised to continue mentoring more people, and also honoring the ICT University and his family and the country around the world where he has continued to shine.

For those who don’t know, Prof Victor Mbarika has through the award made history given the caliber of African personalities who have received the prestigious award. He is for now the only Cameroonian who has received the award.

The African Achievers Awards recognizes excellence in African leaders who have engaged in multiple actions that have continued to boost growth and human development. Prof Mbarika is a scholar who has supervised several PhD students.

He is a pioneer in ICT and development, a field which he is making impact across Africa and the world.