Yaounde Hilton: Communication minister to chair Cameroon English language newspaper publishers’ award ceremony.

The event, though the first of its kind for CENPA, observers are already saying given the seriousness and integrity of those involved, will be Cameroon’s first ever biggest media award.

CENPA, through the event, will honour a cross-section of personalities who are the best breed in all sectors of life, for outstanding contribution to nation building. 

Others, The Guardian Post gathered, will during the ceremony be in the horizons of honour, for unique contributions in marketing Cameroon across the globe.

Besides Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi, other members of government, diplomats, traditional rulers and civil society actors, among others will also be in attendance. 

The Yaounde Hilton will thus on the day of the epic event be vibrating to the rhythm of honour, excellence and gratitude. A host of dignitaries from across the globe, sources say, have confirmed their presence at the ceremony.

The event, as per ongoing mobilisation that has heightened, will equally be a platform to strengthen the bonds of camaraderie and unity among Cameroonians and others living within the country. 

No nonsense jury to vet awardees

In strict adherence to the virtues of integrity and credibility that are inseparable with Anglo-Saxon norms, members of the CENPA award jury are imminent personalities of national and global influence.

Organisers of the event said the cast of the jury is a reflection of CENPA’s unwavering commitment to build society, through merit and hard work.

Internationally acclaimed lawyer and anti-corruption icon, Barrister Akere Muna, is President of The Award Jury. 

Akere Muna is  Member of the  African Union High Level Panel on Illicit Flows from Africa; Co-Chairman of Common African Position on Asset Recovery; former Chairman of International Anti-Corruption Conference Council; former Vice Chairman of Transparency International; former President, Pan African Lawyers Union and the Cameroon Bar Association.

Akere Muna is also Goodwill Ambassador of the African Legal Support Facility, ALSF

Revered Senator Nfon Mukete IV Ekoko, Paramount Ruler of the Bafaw and king of Kumba is Secretary of the CENPA award jury.  To note that Senator Nfon Mukete IV is Vice President, Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts of Cameroon; former Board Chairman of United Bank of Africa, UBA-Cameroon among other portfolios.

Award-winning peace builder, Esther Omam, Executive Director of the Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, Reach Out Cameroon is also part of the jury. 

Omam is Member of the Board of Directors of Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund; member, Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth & member, International Civil Society Actions Network. These are in addition to other positions she holds in prestigious organisations across the globe. 

The president of CENPA, Ngah Christian Mbipgo, who is also Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of The Guardian Post, the most widely read and regularly published newspaper in the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS, is also accompanying the jury.

 Ngah, a celebrated journalist, media entrepreneur and management phenomenon, is also Interim President of Federation of Cameroon Newspaper Publishers, FEDIPRESSE.

The CENPA boss is also member of the Committee to study application files for government subvention to the private media in Cameroon. He is also Goodwill Ambassador of Arkansas State in the USA. 

About CENPA

Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association, CENPA; is a grouping of 35 English Language newspaper publishers.

It was created with the main objectives being to promote national unity, peace reporting and responsible journalism.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3162 of Monday July 8, 2024