Back-to-school: ICT University founder assists journalists’ children

By Mercy Fosoh

The founder and President of the Board of Trustees of ICT University, US-based Prof Mbarika Victor, has donated school materials and financial assistance to the children of journalists, ahead of the 2025/2026 academic year.

The donation was made during a ceremony held last Friday, September 5, at the headquarters of The Guardian Post newspaper in Yaounde.

Prof Mbarika, who is also an advocate for quality education, made a large donation of didactics; including high quality school bags, exercise books, erasers, pens, pencils, rulers, mathematics sets, among others, alongside envelopes containing 25,000 FCFA per child.

The gifts were handed over to beneficiaries by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Post, Kristian Ngah Christian. This was on behalf of Prof Mbarika, who was unavoidably absent.

Commitment to education

Representing ICT University at the ceremony was its Vice Rector Prof Pierre Fonkoua.

In his address to the beneficiaries who had gathered in the conference room of The Guardian Post’s head office, Prof Fonkoua conveyed Prof Mbarika’s message of encouragement to parents and students.

“Prof Mbarika is very sensitive about the future of Cameroon. He thanks parents for their sacrifices and wishes that these young Cameroonians may one day join higher institutions, including ICT University,” Prof Fonkoua said.

He further asked the gathering to accept what he described as a modest contribution for this year, assuring that greater efforts would be made in the future.

“We are very satisfied with the good work you and your colleagues in the media are doing. Thanks to you, we are better known and better appreciated,” Prof Fonkoua told journalists present, on behalf of the founder.

Enter The Guardian Post Publisher

Speaking on behalf of Prof Mbarika, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Post, Kristian Ngah Christian, recalled how the idea was conceived. He explained that he had suggested to Prof Mbarika during a meeting in the United States that journalists should be considered for such assistance, given their continuous support and importance to society.

Ngah said the founder immediately welcomed the proposal and agreed to start by supporting the children of 25 journalists, two children per family. He noted that the initiative was being launched with modest assistance this year but would be expanded significantly in subsequent years.

“I spoke with him a few minutes ago, and what he told me is that he wants to see more young Cameroonians get quality education,” Ngah stated.

He added that next year, the renowned Professor intends to triple the assistance and increase the number of beneficiaries, while keeping the current group as part of the programme.

According to Ngah, Prof Mbarika would have loved to be present at the ceremony to hand over the gifts himself, but could not due to other commitments. He added that Prof Mbarika has pledged that the initiative would not end with the first edition. He indicated that next year’s support would be expanded, with each child expected to receive 100,000 FCFA in addition to school supplies. He also noted that those who benefited this year would continue to be included, while more children would join the programme as it grows.

Parents, children laud Prof Mbarika’s largesse

The students who received the school packages, as well as their parents, all expressed gratitude to Prof Mbarika for the kind gesture. The students, especially, pledged to work harder in their studies.

Anega Ebolo Cecilia Lindsay, an Upper Sixth student preparing for the GCE Advanced Level, said she was satisfied with the support and promised to achieve good results in her examinations.

Another beneficiary, Hannah Ayeh, a student of electronics in a technical school, stated that she would strive for excellence by passing all her 11 papers with distinctions.

On his part, Elyon Fon Ndikum thanked the donor for the gesture and promised to reciprocate with positive results in school.

Jessica Ndah also expressed her happiness and explained that the support would enable her to begin the school year well. She pledged to make both her father and the founder of ICT University proud through hard work.

Beneficiary parents also welcomed the initiative with appreciation, emphasising the significance of supporting families of journalists.

The Editor-in-Chief at L’œil du Sahel newspaper, Lindovi Ndjio, described the donation as timely, observing that journalists often serve the public without having their own needs considered. He explained that the gesture recognised journalists as parents who also face challenges while raising their children.

Another parent present at the event said the action was commendable and expressed hope that others would be inspired to initiate similar acts of support for families.

The ceremony ended with the distribution of gifts to smiling students, who left with the assurance of starting the new school year better prepared.

Before departing to their various destinations, the parents and children, shared a common solidarity meal.