Mbarika wins distinguished African Achievers Award

On July 14, Professor Victor Mbarika, the Stallings Distinguished International Scholar and professor in the ECU College of Business’ Department of Management Information Systems, received the distinguished African Achievers Award. This award recognized Mbarika’s numerous engagements in multiple actions that have boosted growth and human development.

The African Achievers Awards and its ceremony celebrate African excellence by recognizing and honoring notable individuals and organizations in Africa across multiple industries that contribute to the growth and development of the continent. 

The ceremony took place at the British House of Lords in the presence of Lord Simon Wooley, member of the U.K. Parliament’s House of Lords, Palace of Westminster.

Mbarika was the sole recipient of the African Leadership Awards due to his leadership in academics and other sectors of development on the continent.

“I give thanks to God and dedicate this award to my beloved country, Cameroon, where I started learning leadership as a youngster, and to my father and hero, Mr. George Mbarika. To portray my patriotism and honor my country, I decided to present myself in a tie with Cameroon’s flag at the event,” said Mbarika.

“Equally, I dedicate this award to all young upcoming Africans I have had the privilege to mentor, and I will continue doing so. Lastly, I dedicate it to the East Carolina University and the ICT University family in all nations around the world where we are based. This award is to you all,” Mbarika added.

Mbarika joins notable past winners including Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere, Thomas Sankara, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Patrice Lumumba, Leopold Sedar, Halle Selassie, Wangari Maathai and Jerry Rawlings.

With the award, Mbarika spotlighted his country, Cameroon, and joined the cohort of visionary leaders who have left indelible footprints on African History.