UB VC, Six Students Win Anti-Corruption Prize

By Jeff Ngawe Yufenyu & & Peterkins Manyong

The 2006 anti-corruption prize has been won by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Professor Cornelius Lambi, alongside six students of that University.

This revelation was made by International Consultant on Good Governance and pioneer member of Cameroon National Anti-corruption Observatory, Edward Ngala. In a press briefing on December 1 in Bamenda, Ngala said Prof. Lambi will receive the award latest December 20, while the six students will receive a one-year scholarship each, in a ceremony to be organised in January 2007.

The International Consultant on Good Governance said the anti-corruption prize was instituted in 2003, as his own contribution in the fight against corruption in Cameroon as championed by President Biya and Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni.

Ngala gave a run-down of previous winners of the prize including The Post Newspaper in 2003, the Lamido of Garoua in 2004, and Black Rogers (musician) in 2005. Ngala said Prof. Lambi was winning the prize on behalf of the University of Buea for their strong stance against corruption, especially examination fraud.

He cited the recent uncovering of students with fake degrees and certificates at the University of Buea. Ngala said the six students were being rewarded with a year's scholarship each, for denouncing the additional 26 names that featured in a list of 127 candidates that were initially declared eligible for the oral part of a Competitive Entrance Examination into the first year of Medical Studies in the University of Buea.

According to Ngala, instead of beating about the bush, a certain Professor Marcelline Nnomo should be arrested for questioning, if it is true that she signed the list that contained the additional 26 candidates. "Let her answer how she came about the additional 26 names," the anti-corruption consultant stressed.

Ngala called on other institutions around the country, beginning from primary, secondary to higher institutions of learning, to copy the example of the six students in saying "No" to corruption.  "Let Cameroonians act as whistle blowers against corruption," he stressed. 

Ngala said the killing of two University of Buea students was a criminal act. While condemning violence, Ngala insisted that the Forces of Law and Order could have neutralised the students without using live bullets. The anti-corruption crusader said he was not in support of strikes like the one going on in Buea. He, however, warned that the strike action should not be used by the powers that be to jeopardise the school year and school programmes at the University of Buea.

Comments

[rexon]

Dear Ngala,

While we are still mourning the slaining of four of our own, it is irritating to see you awarding Lambi and con an anti-corruption award. Recall that,he has technically accepted the responsibility of the death of these students in his soo callled "monumental error"

[Kappo]

Rexon,
Please can you enlighten me? I dont understand this at all. What is happening in his country?

[vito]

Of course Prof deserves it.He's the fourth person in the Holy TRINITY.

[Emah]

It will be a total shame if Edward Ngala goes ahead to award the price to Lambi, In the name of anti-corruption.

Ngala, are you saying that, adding names on an already signed and published list or accepting wrong doing('Monumental erros') to justify fraud is fighting corruption?

Withholding this award until the culprits are clearly known will be the least you can do. Going ahead to give Lambi this award for what ever reasons, makes you a partaker in injustice and corruption.

DON'T smear that organisation in exchange for cheap recognition.

Professor 'MONUMENTAL ERROR' doesn't deserve that award period

[Kappo]

I say eh Ma mary, Rexon, Emah my trbes men usually expclain in pigin " This one na provoke or na yoke" I dont understand if this award is a means to provoke prof or its just a matter of joke. Na provoke? or na Yoke?
Please answers this question for me