CRTV's Esther Kima is TV Journalist of The Year.

This was during the second edition of the Cameroon English Newspaper Publishers' Association, CENPA Awards; which took place at Mountain Hotel in Buea. Kima was the star of the day for earning the endorsement of the jury to bag home the award. 

According to the jury, Kima, the respectable name in the country’s media landscape, was on the honour roll for “demonstrating a rare mastery of the King’s language in television news presentation and for her appealing posture that keep audience glued to the newscasts”.

The award jury had as chairman renowned human rights activist, Tambe Tiku Christopher, and famed human rights lawyer, Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor Balla as Secretary. The President of CENPA, Kristian Ngah Christian, served as member.

Situating the context of the recognition bestowed on Kima and others,  Tambe Tiku said, it is not like State recognitions, wherein people apply and follow up to be given medals.

The jury president said the recognition is based on observation by Cameroonians of the work laureates, including Kima do. He asserted that “…some members of the jury will tell you there were some names that came up and I rejected them outright with evidences on the ground”.

While urging those distinguished like Kima to be proud of their recognitions, Tambe Tiku reiterated that: “It is so easy to say you are the Chairperson of an award jury. But you don’t know the number of persons out there who are also expecting awards and of course, not everybody can win an award”.

Awardee praises God, promises to inspire others

After receiving the award, the revered newscaster thanked God, whom she said is at the origin of such recognition, before promising to use it as a stepping stone to inspire younger colleagues. 

“I am absolutely flattered and can only use this distinction to inspire the younger generation to be assiduous, committed at work, learn from the best and carve a niche for themselves,” Esther Kima said.

She insisted on the need for people to embrace the culture of integrity to rise to the top, “without compromise”, adding that such “is not a myth”.

Kima said the greatest of rewards is when she runs into strangers and they “confess l inspire them, or a model to their offspring. That can only be God”. The laureate saluted CENPA for taking the initiative to promote excellence, promoting peace and national unity.

The celebrated journalist promised to maintain standards. She disclosed that in her 25 years of journalism practice, she has never applied to be awarded, insisting that: “I think works speak for themselves”.

Trajectory of a unique, adorable journalist

Kima has, through hard work and unflinching attachment to ethics, risen through the ranks, to stand out from the crowd as a peculiar journalist. She has been a staff of the CRTV for 25 years and still counting. 

Kima was recruited in June 2000 and first posted to serve at Mt. Cameroon FM in Buea, Fako Division of the South West Region. She served there for six years.

Today an Editorialist, Kima, who is also Chief Parliamentary Affairs Correspondent, prime time news presenter and producer of Parliamentary programmes on CRTV, has built an enviable career. Beyond her current portfolios, she has also served as: Deputy Service Head in charge of News and Information, Mt. Cameroon FM; Chief of Regional Programmes- Programmes Department of the Production Centre and Unit Head in charge of National Assembly- Division of Sovereignty Activities 

She has equally served as Head of Department in charge of Parliamentary Affairs- Division of Sovereignty Activities. 

In addition to other decorations, Kima is also a part-time instructor at the CRTV Institute for the Training and Conservation of Audio-visual Heritage, IFCPA.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3505 of Wednesday July 16, 2025