Superscale journalist, Sam Bokuba, wins Best Radio Program Presenter Award.

The talented media guru was declared winner of the 2023 Best Radio Program Presenter Award, by the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association, CENPA.

Sam Bokuba, as he is fondly called by his pals, was handed the prestigious award for his outstanding, matchless, compelling and exciting presentation of radio programmes.

This was during the maiden edition of CENPA Award Night, which held at the Hilton Hotel in the nation’s capital, Yaounde. 

The event held under the distinguished patronage of the Minister of Communication. It was attended by several top government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, political, religious, civil society and traditional authorities, among others.

The distinction, CENPA award jury, headed by globally acclaimed lawyer and anti-corruption champion, Barrister Akere Muna, disclosed, was on the basis of merit, after a rigorous selection process. 

Other members of the award jury that vetted the recognition included the Paramount ruler of the Bafaw and King of Kumba, Senator Nfon Mukete IV Ekoko; international award-winning peace advocate, Esther Omam, and the President of CENPA, Ngah Christian Mbipgo. 

The jury president, Batonnier Akere Muna, said the award is for Sam Bokuba’s “…compelling and exciting presentation of radio programs in a way that leaves listeners fulfilled and drive change”. 

Laureate hails CENPA, dedicates award to colleagues 

Reacting to the distinction, Sam Bokuba, said it was an honour to have been recognised by his professional peers. 

He expressed gratitude to organisers of CENPA award “for rewarding me, and by extension, the eclectic team that has been putting all hands on deck to produce the programmes I present”.

Sam Bokuba dedicated the award to his colleagues and team members of flagship radio news magazine programme, Cameroon Calling. 

“That is the reason it has remained the biggest radio appointment in English on Sunday,” he said, adding that the recognition is a call to do more. 

Sam Bokuba, who is current anchor of Cameroon Calling, on behalf of the entire team, said he is guided by the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson that: "Nothing good is ever achieved without enthusiasm. Enthusiasm brings success."

He said they will continue to do their best to keep listeners glued to the programme.

Zoom on Sam Bokuba’s career 

Sam Bokuba’s professional trajectory is inspiring. He is of the 22nd batch of journalism trainees (1991-1994) at the Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC, in Yaounde, where he specialised in Radio and Television. 

Sam Bokuba started his career as a journalist in the Ministry of Communication in December 1994. After four years at the ministry, he was sent on secondment to CRTV, in February 1998.

The journalist then rose through the ranks at the CRTV, after proving himself as a professional of mettle. 

In 2002, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Station for Mt. Cameroon FM, Buea, in the South West Region. 

He was later promoted in 2005 and appointed Deputy Station Manager of CRTV South West Regional Station in Buea.

He was appointed Chief of Service, Programmes and Copyright at CRTV North Regional Station in Garoua in 2012.

He was later called back to the Central Service in 2015 and subsequently appointed Sub Director of Productions at the Department of Radio Productions at CRTV National Station in Yaounde. 

In 2017, he rose to the post of Unit Head, Production of Radio Documentaries. 

Sam Bokuba, who is widely admired for his critical writeups and scintillating presentation of radio programmes, has anchored several programmes on the state broadcaster. 

He is a founding crew member of CRTV early morning radio magazine programmes, Morning Safari and Day Break, on CRTV National Station.

Sam Bokuba also presented Sports Pavilion on Mt. Cameroon FM and Press Club on CRTV South West Station in Buea. 

He was also the presenter of Weekend Special 7 p.m. news on the CRTV National Station, from 2020-2022. Sam Bokuba also presented the slot, Mediatorial, on Day Break on CRTV.

The current anchor of CRTV’s Sunday magazine programme, Cameroon Calling, has produced and presented over 150 radio documentaries and magazines.

This Story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3193 of Thursday August 08, 2024