266 SOPECAM workers knighted for outstanding services.

This was during a ceremony organised at the head office of the state-owned national bilingual daily newspaper, Cameroon Tribune, in Yaounde, Wednesday July 3. It was as part of weeklong activities to celebrate the 50 years of existence of Cameroon Tribune.

The ceremony unfolded in the presence of the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Joseph Le, who also doubles as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of SOPECAM. 

The General Manager of SOPECAM, Marie-Claire Nnana, as well as several high ranking officials, staff as well as friends and families, lived the event.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Gregoire Owona saluted SOPECAM staff for their hard work and encouraged them to continue to make the institution a model in the domain.

The minister saluted their resilience, adding that he had taken note of their worries and grievances. The member of government promised that something will be done in addressing their concerns. 

“Receive from me government’s biggest congratulations and just as we will say ‘Un seule mot, continuent’,” the member of government said.

The recognition, the minister said, is the Head of State and government’s way to thank them for their contribution to nation building. 

“You all are true attraction to your peers and family members; you are rare peers in the industry,” Minister Owona said.

On her part, The General Manager of SOPECAM, Marie-Claire Nnana commended her collaborators, especially the medal recipients as well as the entire staff of the institution for their commitment to service. 

She said it is only through dialogue that the worries expressed by workers can be resolved.

“We gather to celebrate together the road covered, difficulties encountered, lessons learnt as we continue express our gratitude to the government and the Head of State for accompanying us in this constant journey,” Nnana stated.

The SOPECAM General Manager appealed to members of government and officials of other state institutions to accompany the corporation and support its various services, so that they will not only take care of their bills but also pay their workers.

Beneficiaries express satisfaction

Some workers of the state-owned newspaper who were knighted, saluted management for trusting in them and promised to work harder.

Editorialist at Cameroon Tribune, Godlove Bainkong, who was recipient of Silver medal, said: “I feel honoured by SOPECAM. I thank God for the opportunity to serve in the corporation and particularly contribute in the history of the national bilingual daily, Cameroon Tribune”. 

Bainkong furthered that the recognition “is at the same time a call to redouble efforts at work”.

He went ahead to thank God Almighty for the strength and wisdom to be able to live up to the expectations of his hierarchy and readers of Cameroon Tribune.

Brenda Yufeh, journalist at the Society and Culture Desk of Cameroon Tribune, on her part, noted that the silver medal she received: “…is the fruit of 21 years of service, collecting and reporting news items nationally and internationally”. “This is a result of determination, focus, resilience, and a lot of sacrifice each day at the service of the government. I am very grateful to God for granting me such an opportunity to serve. I am encouraged to work harder,” Yufeh said. 

Roland Mbonteh who currently serves as Editor at Cameroon Business Today, expressed gratitude to his hierarchy for recognising the services he has put in the corporation for over a decade.

“It is a mark of recognition of my over a decade of hard work to the nation through the columns of Cameroon Tribune, Cameroon Business Today, Cameroon Insider and other SOPECAM publications. I also think that the recognition of my devoted services is a call for more work and devotion to service,” Mbonteh said.

Activities marking 50 years of existence of Cameroon Tribune which were officially launched on Monday July 1 by the Minister of Communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, wrapped up Friday July 5, with a gala. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Issue No:3159 of Friday July 5, 2024