Award crowns a track record of calm leadership, community engagement and a rare commitment to development.
The award placed a spotlight on an administrator widely regarded as accessible, serviceable and deeply grounded in the daily realities of his community. Known for his love of agriculture, the DO has become something of a model farmer himself through his mushroom production enterprise, which supplies organic food to households across the city.
Presenting the distinction, CCJN’s National Coordinator, Tamukong Roland Angong, said Ayuni’s contribution “stands out for its selflessness and its impact on human development,” adding that the gathering had come together “to recognise a man whose excellence speaks for itself.”
Ayuni Austin responded with characteristic modesty. He said the recognition carried great meaning because it came at a time when he was simply doing his work quietly. He described the award as a tribute to his family and to the people he serves, promising to maintain the same spirit of duty.
Residents often describe the DO as a fatherly figure. They speak of his calm presence, his readiness to listen and his reputation as a firm but fair advocate for peace. His message to Bamenda III after receiving the award was clear. He saluted the resilience the population has shown over the past nine years and reminded them that security begins with each individual. He urged continued vigilance, cooperation with law enforcement and a collective commitment to preserving peace.
Ayuni Austin’s standing in Bamenda III comes from more than administrative duty. Since taking office in 2022, he has built strong working ties with Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe and HRH Fon Azehfor III of Nkwen. The three have often appeared together pushing what he calls the area’s “development trinity”. Their partnership has been visible in roads projects, community support missions and major cultural events.
A champion of youth engagement, Ayuni Austin has used every edition of the Bamenda III Council Inclusive Royal Football Tournament to promote unity and responsibility. From 2022 to 2025, he has called on young people to focus on education, embrace peace and see themselves as actors in the subdivision’s future. He has consistently encouraged the annual hosting of the tournament, arguing that sport keeps young people engaged, purposeful and united.
His commitment has extended well beyond the municipality. In 2022 he joined the Fon and Mayor in Douala for the Nkwen Royal Tournament for Reconciliation, telling the community there that Bamenda III’s identity was built on unity and shared heritage. His message was reinforced two weeks later at his first major public outing in Nkwen, where he again urged residents to support peace and development.
Despite his senior role, Ayuni Austin avoids the trappings of authority. He is frequently seen driving himself through the municipality, stopping to engage with traders, farmers and community groups. He maintains strong ties with all religious bodies and is known for his Christian faith and devotion to family life.
Earlier this year, he pressed youth leaders to turn their attention from limited civil service ambitions to entrepreneurship and agriculture, pointing out that economic empowerment will come from productivity rather than state employment.
The award he now holds reflects a style of leadership that has restored confidence in public administration at a time when communities continue to navigate the pressures of insecurity and economic strain. For many in Bamenda III, it is a reminder that steady hands still guide their path.
Ayuni Austin’s rise among the most influential personalities in the municipality mirrors the values residents say they admire in him including humility, discipline, unity and service. For them, his latest honour is a sign of the direction Bamenda III wants to follow.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Online
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