The 2024/2025 edition of the Prime International Press Award for Champions in Development has been bestowed upon H.E. Dr Nkwenti Ignatius, honouring his exceptional resilience and leadership in Cameroon’s petroleum business sector.
Dr Nkwenti Ignatius after receiving award
According to the Prime International Median award committee, following a rigorous process led by professional national and international journalists from renowned media houses across the globe and Cameroon, Dr Nkwenti was selected as North West's Best and Most Resilient Economic Petroleum Business Operator. The official handover of the award was conducted by Mokum Thomas and Kebua Charles at Dr Nkwenti’s fuel station located in Nchobuh, Mankon – Bamenda.
A retired diplomat and now prominent player in the petroleum sector, Dr Nkwenti Ignatius received the award with humility, dedicating the recognition first to God Almighty and secondly to his late father, Corporal Nkwenti John Barry of the Mankon Royal Family.
“Everything I do is guided by God's plan. My late father taught me the values of honesty, transparency, accountability and hard work. Those values are the foundation of what I do and what I have become,” Dr Nkwenti told Hilltopvoices Newsroom after receiving the award.
In a candid exchange, Dr Nkwenti revealed ongoing improvements at his business site, noting a pending change in supplier due to distribution challenges with his former partner, MRS.
“Since I operate under the RoRo model meaning retailer-owned, retailer-operated, I must ensure a regular fuel supply to keep the business alive and my workers employed,” he explained.
Responding to questions about his clients and the host community, Dr Nkwenti reassured car owners of the quality of his product.
“I do not pollute my fuel. It is pure, and customers know that. Many return because they trust us. The community knows I use proceeds to give back. For instance, the concrete road into the quarter behind this station was financed through this business,” he said.
The recognition comes at a time when Dr Nkwenti has expressed deep concerns about the nation’s political future ahead of the 2025 presidential elections. As a patriotic citizen and economic operator, he took the opportunity to address national development challenges and advocate for systemic reforms.
“Cameroon has the potential to be a developed country, but the problem lies in leadership. Our political leaders know what to do but refuse to act,” he lamented.
Dr Nkwenti highlighted three critical infrastructure areas being roads, water and electricity as fundamental to attracting investment and accelerating development. He called on the government to redirect resources towards these sectors.
Award committee representatives handing award
He also proposed structural political reforms, including constitutional amendments to reintroduce a federal system, institute a presidential term of five years renewable once, and establish a rotational presidency across regions or states to promote inclusivity and national unity.
“This country is overburdened by a bloated government. We have 64 ministers for 30 million people, while the United States, with 350 million people, has only 15. The excess expenditure leaves no room for infrastructure development,” he argued.
Among other radical proposals, Dr Nkwenti suggested downsizing parliament, closing institutions like ENAM and some parapublics, and consolidating ministries to create efficiency and free up resources.
“ENAM is a colonial relic. It teaches courses already available in our universities. Its primary purpose now is to produce disciples of authoritarianism,” he said.
While the award celebrates Dr Nkwenti’s resilience in business, his reflections on nation-building reveal a deep commitment to Cameroon’s future.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom, Bamenda
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
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