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By Kawther Abuelgasim Obeid Sharfi

Chad has recognized 12 outstanding young people during the second edition of the National Youth Excellence Awards, held on October 3.
The official ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister Ambassador Allah-Maye Halina, representing President and Head of State Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. The event brought together senior government officials and members of the National Youth Excellence Awards steering committee.


The awards ceremony celebrated young Chadians who have demonstrated talent, commitment, innovation, and perseverance in different fields.
Each of the 12 laureates received a prize of 10 million CFA francs, bringing the total amount awarded to 120 million CFA francs. They also received trophies featuring two gold plates incorporated into their design.
In his address, the Prime Minister encouraged young people to value hard work, effort, and merit. He highlighted the role of today’s youth in digital technology, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity.
However, he also reminded them that technology alone cannot replace dedication.
“A click will never replace work; a dream will never replace effort; and a diploma will never replace merit,” he said.
The Award Recipients
The 12 winners were recognized in the following categories:
• Yves Djimta Dinguembeye — Scientific research with undeniable social impact
• Annour Abdou Khoudar Saleh — Technology and digital innovation
• Kevin Ronelngaye — Agribusiness
• Khalil Salma — Culture
• Ola Nanga — Arts
• Moussa Doucia — Environment and climate
• Memlelem Matel Chantal — Young woman of impact
• Espoir Kemdene — Perseverance
• Saïba Ngousmon — Youth
• Martine Abaïfouta Hallas Maria — Sports and disciplines
• Sekot-Badet Westeroff Bagatche — Outstanding scientific baccalaureate results
• Issakha Oumar Ali — Outstanding scientific baccalaureate results
Through the National Youth Excellence Awards, organizers aim to spotlight young people contributing to Chad’s development through their skills, ideas, determination, and community engagement.
The initiative also seeks to encourage other young Chadians to pursue excellence and take an active role in the country’s future.

Djinodji Solmengar

Djinodji Solmengar Rodrigue is a journalist with MRTV English, Chad’s first English-language media outlet, where he led English-language news coverage at its launch. Based in N’Djamena, his reporting explores political, economic, and social developments, with particular attention to everyday realities, informal sectors, and cultural life. His work also extends to football and broader societal issues, approached through field reporting and in-depth storytelling. Beyond reporting, Djinodji regularly conducts interviews focused on education, including the teaching of English in Chad, as well as conversations (with AFROTRONIX, to name a few) on culture and music. He is also active as an English–French interpreter, working alongside international media professionals. In this capacity, he recently supported and interpreted for a delegation of foreign journalists, including BBC representatives, during the PND Chad Connexion 2030 mission. Alongside his professional practice, Djinodji is pursuing a PhD, with research centered on the presence of China and Russia in Africa as portrayed in selected Commonwealth online media. His academic interests lie at the intersection of media, geopolitics, and discourse analysis. Earlier in his career, he taught English and authored a Master’s thesis examining the contextualization of English language teaching in Chad, reflecting a sustained engagement with educational challenges and policy.