By Folegwe II Menky, February 21, 2017
Cameroon Journal, Yaounde – The Cameroon government has officially recognized 17-year old Nji Collins Gbah, whose North West Region, alongside the South West Region, have been cut off from the internet by same government since January 17, 2017.
The Bamenda-based Anglophone techie as well as other young Cameroonians who distinguished themselves in a recent international competition in information and communication technologies were honoured in Yaounde, Monday February 20, during a special ceremony organized by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MINPOSTEL).
Those distinguished were 17-year old Nji Collins Gbah, 35-year old Habsatou Nadia Kalkaba, and a five-man team of Angels Tech of Africa.
The Cameroon Journal gathered that Nji Collins Gbah, competed and won the 2016 Google Code-In Challenge. The competition was opened to students between the ages of 13 and 17, and over 1,300 young people from 62 countries participated in the 2016 edition. “The Google Code-in competition is a series of highly challenging tests to detect geniuses in cyber hacking,” Nji said, adding that he is the first African to ever win the annual Google code-in competition.
Another laureate, Habsatou Nadia Kalkaba, won the TechWomen 2016 Seed Grant Award. Habsatou, a Camtel staff, challenged 2300 other candidates from 19 countries around the world to come out with the best tech project; a project that has to do with giving back hope to displaced children in the Far North Region.
As for Angels Tech of Africa, a group of five young girls between the ages of 13 and 16, the team won the 2016 Technovation Honorable Mention with their mobile application ‘Nature Gift’.
According to Li Likeng, Minister of Post and Telecommunication, the laureates have honoured the country thanks to their ingenuity, courage and patriotism. “They are a true illustration of the rich potential of the Cameroonian youths, who are always ready to successfully take up challenges both at the national and international levels, Li Likeng said.
The Minister described the female laureates as the “Indomitable Lionesses of ICT,” and called on them to spur other women to get involved in the ICT field.
“You represent the positive values of a radiant and winning Cameroon. You have conquered Silicon Valley with your brilliance. The Government through the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications will spare no efforts to assist you, as well as all other youths who dream positively and for whom you are role models.”
Nji Collins, whose Bamenda base has been cut off from the internet said he felt honoured by the government and that his Grand Prize came to him more as a surprise.
The laureates each received a certificate of recognition from MINPOSTEL, tablets, high speed modems and other gadgets from Camtel. Unfortunately for Collins, his city has no internet, and he isn’t going to utilize these gifts any time sooner.
Also present at the ceremony were the Ministers of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary; and of Secondary Education, Jean Ernest Ngalle Bibehe, as well as other government officials.