On Friday, January 30, 2026, four new members joined the prestigious elite of OAPI retirees!
OAPI ended the month with a highly emotional moment: the retirement ceremony and presentation of the Medals of Honour for Labour to four employees whose commitment has left a lasting mark on the institution.
A vibrant tribute… and full of humor that honored women and men who, through their professionalism, dedication and sense of public service, have contributed to writing important pages in the history of OAPI.
At the heart of this celebration, the following were honored:
- Ms. Florence NITCHEU , who held the position of Human Resources Assistant in the Office of the Minister,
- Mrs. Joséphine NGATCHOUISSI wife of KEMEGNI , former executive assistant at APIDE,
- Mr. Jean MVONDO , formerly a trademark examiner at the Directorate of Trademarks and Other Distinctive Signs, all of Cameroonian nationality, and
- Mr. Debbe Salem ZEINE , former head of the patents and plant varieties department at the Directorate of Patents and other Technical Creations, of Mauritanian nationality.
These four professionals, true unsung heroes of our corridors, leave behind years of exemplary service, punctuated by anecdotes, challenges met, reforms supported… and undoubtedly tons of coffee that fueled their dedication!
Four careers, four exceptional journeys, awards for years of loyal and dedicated service
In a solemn and symbolic moment, each agent was decorated in gold, silver and vermeil by the Sub-Prefect of Yaoundé 1st according to the number of years of service completed, who also took the opportunity to express the Cameroonian Government's warm congratulations to the distinguished retirees.
These honorary distinctions from the professional world testify to the quality of their respective careers and the positive impact they have had within the Organization.
An institutional and human tribute
To mark this new beginning and express the gratitude of all staff, OAPI also presented numerous honorary gifts to its retirees. These symbolic gestures illustrate the gratitude of the entire Organization and serve as a reminder of how valuable their time at OAPI has been.
The atmosphere was one of mixed emotion, joy and memories, revealing the strong human imprint left by these colleagues over the years.
Director General Denis BOHOUSSOU expressed his gratitude in his remarks: “You have served OAPI with professionalism, commitment, and exemplary loyalty. Your careers, marked by rigor and a sense of duty, will remain a source of inspiration for current and future generations… Retirement is not a break, but a new stage of life. OAPI will remain your home, and your professional legacy will continue to live on through those to whom you are passing the torch.”
A new chapter for our former colleagues
OAPI commends the exemplary career of these “veterans of labor” who gave their best.
They are now leaving the offices, but remain members of the larger OAPI family.
In this regard, Joséphine NGATCHOUISSI, representative of the retirees, stated: “From our time at OAPI, we retain only positive memories made up of successful professional and social projects, laughter, conviviality, and fraternal and friendly camaraderie. Therefore, we wish to express our gratitude to the Director General for his kind attention to our various requests, and to all our colleagues for their frank and sincere collaboration, as well as their multifaceted and unconditional support in every circumstance.”
The ceremony ended with the traditional family photo, followed by a cocktail reception in a warm atmosphere filled with laughter, hugs and discreet tears; one thing became clear:
💛 You never really leave OAPI… you stay there in your heart!
A huge thank you to our retirees!
Thank you for your commitment.
Thanks for your patience.
Thank you for your skills, your dedication… and the coffees you shared.
Very nice retirement ✨
