A generation of social-media hype, who is legit?

Of course I will not not-share yet-another update on Alain, even though by now, people might be saturated with Alain Nteff 's face on social media. lol. I've said enough about Alain. What I will say today is as an answer to many questions I've been receiving ever since Alain has been on a media-high, from September 2014 to this June 2015 endorsement by the Queen of England.

IS HE LEGIT ? YES, HE IS.

It is a question worth answering once and for all (I hope) in public. Many have asked me via inbox, offline, private convos, "Is that Alain guy really doing things on the ground, because we know how social media hype works." I must say, I understand the skepticism of many, the doubts of others, and the questioning of more.

Because in this day and age of free social media access, there has been a spike in 'personal personality-cults', auto-proclamations, and self-declarations of entrepreneurs/social activists/social entrepreneurs/leaders on social media, many might saturate others' timelines with self-promotion images, with invitations to like their "Official pages" created by themselves, and with "excessive flower-throwing" at themselves. I know, many are fed up. And, it is normal that with this growing trend of "auto-proclamations" and self-elevation, there is equally a growing sentiment of skepticism from people observing others "shining too brightly" (if there's such a thing). Let's admit it though : sometimes, people are just plain haters - with hidden and unresolved envy boiling up in their hearts. But other times, let's admit that too: some of these feelings come from people who have been burnt and disillusioned too many times by people with social media-hype.

Somehow many people have turned to me to ask for the legitimacy of others, lol, like I'm an accreditation institute or something! Honestly, I can't judge. I can't say exactly who doesn't do what they say they do. I won't sabotage anyone, because I know how tough it is to initiate and establish something in Cameroon. I know, as I tried to be relevant and impactful during the last six years, that there are bound to be failures, unforeseen obstacles and downfalls, so I won't judge anyone on their journey or during their construction (whether they are still building the foundation of their house, or already building the walls, or are at the finishing). I won't bring anyone down in their hustle. What I do, however, is to promote and highlight those I know to be movers, shakers, doers. But don't get me wrong, I will - and I have - denounce the crooks, feymen, thiefers, and unethical actors. But most importantly, I challenge myself to identify and encourage the rough-jems, the unspoken heroes, the unfinished goods - that many are too impatient (or sometimes, just too blind) to see their potential and bright future.

A year ago I said, I firmly believe that there are many more "Arthur Zang"s in our country - and back then Alain Nteff was an unknown "underdog"; Today I say, there are many more "Alain Nteff"s in our communities. I hope in a year, we will be singing other young Cameroonian's name, who would have distinguished him/herself with the work/initiative they have designed for this nation.

So, is Alain Nteff legit? yes he is. His team is, his co-founder is. And my role, and our role (I hope) will be to keep him grounded, so that he may continue to be locally relevant by creating real impact, so that Giftedmom will live long and with sustainability, and so that he may realize his couple other projects, placed on the back burner. Oh! You gotta stay tuned, there is so much more to come. Even now, when you think he is at the top of his media high, the best is still yet to come.

‪#‎Cameroon‬ 

‪#‎TakeNote‬ 

‪#‎LegitSocialEntrepreneur‬ ‪#‎QueensYoungLeader‬ 

‪#‎Team237‬

‪#‎SolutionneurVerified‬

Join the discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/olivia.mukam/posts/886205180842

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