How A Simple Phone Call Opened A Meaningful Path
Today, I had the privilege of visiting Sir Dr. Ntumfor Nico Halle. From the moment I arrived, I was received with warmth, simplicity, and a quiet dignity that spoke volumes. The welcoming smiles of his collaborators, the calm atmosphere, and the gracious hospitality all conveyed a message of peace without a single word being spoken.
Sometimes, peace is not announced. It is felt.
This visit reminded me that leadership rooted in humility has a way of drawing people closer. Effective dialogue is not built from distance, but from proximity. It grows when those entrusted with responsibility are willing to listen, to learn from everyday realities, and to meet people where they are. Peace, after all, is built piece by piece, through trust, openness, and human connection.
The journey to this meeting began in a simple yet powerful way. One calm evening, my phone rang. I answered an unfamiliar number with the usual greeting. A gentle voice responded, introducing himself as Ntumfor Nico Halle. He shared that he had been following my reflections, my work on ground and had seen the recent recognition bestowed on me by traditional authorities. He called simply to congratulate and encourage.
That phone call made a difference.
It reshaped my understanding of what quiet leadership can look like. Sometimes, a simple gesture of reaching out does more to build bridges than many formal platforms ever could. It reminded me that openness and humility remain essential tools for peace.
During our time together, we exchanged experiences and reflections drawn from years of engagement in peacebuilding and public service. We spoke candidly about leadership, responsibility, and the delicate work of holding societies together. We agreed that justice, peace, and reconciliation are inseparable, like ingredients that give meaning and flavour to a shared meal. Without them, the outcome is incomplete.
We also reflected on the importance of dialogue beginning with us as leaders, before it can meaningfully take root in families and communities. Honest dialogue requires courage, sincerity, and the willingness to set aside labels and preconceived positions. When conversations are stripped of political colouring and guided by a shared love for country, they create space for healing and progress.
I was also honoured to visit what I would call the legacy room, a space that quietly tells a powerful story. There, over two hundred awards and recognitions stand not as trophies, but as markers of a long journey marked by service, sacrifice, and consistency. Seeing them put many things into perspective. Recognition, when earned through years of commitment, becomes less about applause and more about responsibility.
This visit reminded me that the path to peace is long and often demanding, but it is worth walking. It calls on us to rise above hurt, fatigue, and disappointment, and to keep our eyes fixed on the greater good. Cameroon, often described as Africa in miniature, needs the collective efforts of its sons and daughters, working together with sincerity, courage, and patience.
There are moments when difficult questions arise. Moments when commitment is tested, and when love for country is challenged by hardship. Yet, even in such times, my belief remains firm: dialogue, justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation remain our strongest tools.
I left this visit encouraged, humbled, and deeply grateful.
Thank you, Sir Dr. Ntumfor Nico Halle, for your simplicity of spirit, your openness, and the integrity that quietly defines your journey. Integrity is not proclaimed; it is revealed through consistent action and the willingness to keep working to set things right.
With renewed hope, I look forward to the conversations and collective efforts that lie ahead.
Omam Esther
Moeneni & Eringo
Global Peace Champion
Executive Director, Reach Out Cameroon
Country Chair, G100 Mentoring & Motivation
