HRH Fon Ngum IV, the traditional ruler of Oku Fondom in the North West Region of Cameroon, has been awarded a Certificate of Leadership in Public Management by the US Government.
This accolade, which recognizes his dynamic leadership as a young ruler, was accompanied by a signed letter of congratulations from the US Vice President, Kamala Harris, and former President, Barack Obama.
Fon Ngum IV received accolades in the US recently, where he has been participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for the past six weeks.
He was among young African leaders chosen for this year’s edition of the US Government flagship program for accomplished and impactful African leaders.
In a reaction to MMI, Fon Ngum IV described the fellowship as a “transformative journey,” during which he engaged in “intensive academic work” at Syracuse University, focusing on Business, Civic Engagement, and Public Management.
He dedicated his award, which crowned the intensive leadership training, to the people of Oku, where he has been King since December 2021.
“This significant personal achievement is dedicated to the resilient people of Oku, whose strength and support inspire my leadership. This recognition belongs to all of us, as our collective efforts and rich traditions have guided my journey,” Fon Ngum IV said.
He emphasized that the award not only highlighted his role as a young traditional ruler but also brought international attention to the Oku Fondom.
“This recognition underscores the importance of our communal efforts and reaffirms our commitment to advancing our community through education, innovation, and cooperation. It shines an international spotlight on Oku, encouraging us all to continue working towards our collective progress,” he added.
A BOOST TO TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP
Fon Ngum IV asserted that the honor reflects the potential of African traditional institutions to build effective systems.
Having been a traditional ruler for just three years, he said the award will bolster his leadership endeavor.
“Receiving this award fills me with a profound sense of pride and responsibility,” he said.
“It signifies recognition not just of my efforts but of the potential within our traditional leadership systems.”
He noted that the commendations he received from leaders like Barack Obama and Kamala Harris have reinforced his commitment to merging cultural heritage with modern public management principles.
He stressed the importance of traditional authorities in bridging historical values with contemporary governance to create sustainable community solutions.
Upon returning to Cameroon, Fon Ngum IV plans to establish the “Coalition of Young Traditional Authorities in Cameroon.”
“This initiative aims to leverage our local traditional knowledge and practices to foster peace and development in our communities, addressing the challenges of modern administration,” he said.
“This recognition bolsters our efforts and is a powerful reminder that our customs and traditions hold the keys to addressing many contemporary challenges.”
Born on January 8, 1997, Fon Ngum IV is one of the youngest traditional rulers in the North West Region of Cameroon.
As the 16th Paramount Fon of Oku, he ascended to the throne amid ongoing armed conflict in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon.
Despite the turmoil, he has remained close to his people, advocating for peace and an end to the violence.