At send-off ceremony: The Guardian Post urges interns to uphold values acquired.

The call was made Friday September 1, as the students came to the end of their internship sojourn at the prestigious media organ.

A sumptuous send-off ceremony was organised in honour of the departing interns.

The brief, yet, colourful event, was staged at the magnificent head office of the media giant at the Efoulan-Lac neighborhood in Yaounde. 

The ceremony was chaired by The Guardian Post Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Ngah Christian Mbipgo. This was in the presence of desk editors, reporters and the departing journalism trainees.

Addressing the outgoing journalism students, Ngah Christian, who founded The Guardian Post on August 30, 2001, gave the students a pat on the back for the level of discipline demonstrated throughout their stay at the institution. 

He also applauded the efforts of the editors and reporters who worked closely with the students. Ngah urged the students to be ambassadors of The Guardian Post, wherever they find themselves.

He also encouraged them to embrace print journalism, insisting that “…the strength of journalism is print”.

“There is this feeling that those we who work with the print can barely put food on their tables, but at The Guardian Post, you can see for yourself that we are not doing badly,” Ngah said, while encouraging the students to consider a career in print journalism when they graduate. 

During the ceremony, the students were also handed internship attestations.

Speaking in course of the event, the Managing Editor of The Guardian Post, Doh Bertrand Nua, applauded the students for successfully completing their internship period without hitches.

He saluted their news gathering, writing skills and knack for excellence, noting that the doors of the media organ remain open for them at any time. 

“The doors of The Guardian Post will always be open to you. Even as you return to school, continue writing and sending stories for us to publish. This will help perfect your skills,” the Managing Editor said. 

Interns hail The Guardian Post

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of their peers, Fon Halliday and Beryl-Diane Massa, thanked the management of The Guardian Post for the opportunity offered them to learn the basics of journalism. 

“We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Ngah Christian Mbipgo, the management and staff of The Guardian Post, for providing us the valuable opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to the world of journalism,” they said.

The students then confessed to have been entrenched into the day-to-day operations of the newspaper.

“We were able to witness, firsthand, the power of words,” said the spokespersons of the students.

“We gained insights into the editorial process, researched and wrote articles, conducted interviews and worked tirelessly to deliver stories that reflect the highest standards of journalistic integrity,” they noted.

The interns expressed delight that some of their stories made headlines on the front page of the newspaper.

“As interns, we are glad to have developed an unwavering dedication and an indomitable spirit that propelled us forward as a united front,” the representatives highlighted, adding that “we have formed friendships, shared experiences and learned from each other’s strengths”.

In the meantime, it should be said that the students came from different academic institutions, including the Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC, the University Institute of Siantou and the Universities of Buea and Bamenda.

During their stay at The Guardian Post, the students were schooled on how to detect false information, basics of print journalism as well as fact-checking amongst others. 

“We are now equipped with the skills, knowledge and passion to make a lasting impact in the world of journalism. Let us embark on this new chapter with inexorable determination, unyielding integrity, and a commitment to truth,” they noted.

The event was also graced with performances by the students.

The ceremony ended with heavy feasting.