CRID joined the global community on May 1, 2026, to commemorate the 140th edition of International Labour Day under the theme, “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment.”
Mfou festival square
The institution celebrated the occasion through a two-part event that highlighted staff dedication, institutional achievements, and the importance of fostering a supportive and cohesive workplace.
The celebration began at the Mfou Festival Square, where nearly 50 CRID staff participated in the official Labour Day march-past. The event was supervised by the Senior Divisional Officer of the Mefou-et-Afamba Division, Mr. Thierry Kin-Nou Nana, alongside other local authorities and representatives from various institutions.
Executive Director Calls for Greater Excellence
Activities later continued at CRID headquarters in Nkoulou-Carrière, during a ceremony that brought together staff, students, and invited guests. In his address, Executive Director Prof. Charles Wondji commended staff members for their dedication and valuable contributions to the growth of the institution. He encouraged employees to maintain discipline, strengthen teamwork, and promote mutual respect in order to create a more cohesive working environment. Prof. Wondji highlighted several major achievements recorded over the past year, including the effective implementation of health insurance coverage and the inclusion of all staff under the National Social Insurance Fund. He also announced that the institution’s canteen project would soon become operational.
“We should not be satisfied with the successes of 2025 alone; we must aspire to even greater achievements together,” said Prof. Charles Wondji. He praised the Administration and Finance departments for their hard work. Special recognition was given to the Laboratory team for generating high-quality scientific data with strong international impact. The Insectarium team was equally applauded for its outstanding contribution to research activities at CRID. Prof. Wondji further encouraged teams to continue working toward obtaining Good Laboratory Practice certification. The Communication Unit also received congratulations for significantly improving the visibility of the institution throughout the year.
Students were acknowledged as a key driving force behind CRID’s progress. The Director reiterated the institution’s commitment to providing international training opportunities that would strengthen students’ academic and professional development.
Spiritual Reflection and Staff Representation
The ceremony also featured a prayer and exhortation delivered by Chaplain Rev. Ngahne Jacques. In his message, he encouraged staff members not to simply “labour” for a salary, but to contribute to meaningful work that creates lasting impact.
Representatives of the staff delegation, Bertrand Mbakam and Rodrigue Tseyep, reaffirmed their commitment to presenting employees’ concerns before the administration while promoting a culture where every staff member feels respected and heard. They emphasized that work remains an essential driver of both personal fulfillment and collective development.
Honouring Outstanding Staff and Students
The celebration ended with an awards ceremony recognizing exceptional performance during the year 2025 across six categories. For the Best Support Staff category, Rachel Karawa (receptionnist) won first prize, followed by Francis Adjouaye (support staff) in second place. In the Administration and Finance Staff category, Azongkoh Olivier (Personnel manager) received first prize while Nadege Ngala (Internal Controller) came second.
The Best Scientist award was presented to Dr. Fredy Simo, with Dr. Estelle Mewamba receiving second place. In the Best Technician category, Mendouga Marcelline emerged first, followed by Bygaelle Yomi. For the Best Student category, Gadji Mahamat received first prize while Hervé Tazokong came second. The Best New PhD Graduate category recognised Dr. Achille Binyang in first place, followed by Dr. Tatiane Assatse, Dr. Carlos Djoko, and Dr. Nelly Tatchou.
The 2026 Labour Day celebration served as both a moment of appreciation and a reminder of CRID’s collective ambition for continued excellence.
