The Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Cameroon’s most regularly-published newspaper, The Guardian Post, Kristian Ngah Christian, has been accorded a rare traditional distinction, by elements of the Wimbum Cultural and Development Association, WICUDA-USA; led by Fon Nganjo Kennedy.
Ngah, who’s currently on a short vacation in the United States of America, was distinguished for decades of resilient and excellent journalism practice.
The ceremony, attended by multitudes of WICUDA-USA elements, took place at the Maryland palace of Fon Nganjo Kennedy of Njirong village, Ndu Subdivision, Donga Mantung Division; in the North West Region.
Kristian Ngah Christian, it should be noted, hails from Ndu Subdivision.
Speaking while decorating The Guardian Post publisher with “Njap” (a traditional medal reserved for people who have achieved high standing success, or made significant contributions in society), Fon Nganjo said, the Wimbum community; both at home and in the diaspora, are proud of his exploits in the media sector.
He added that it is not only the Wimbum community, but the people of Donga Mantung, Anglophones and Cameroonians, who he said should join him “to celebrate Kristian Ngah Christian; for taking the Cameroon print media landscape to the next level.”
The Guardian Post, he said, has contributed greatly in shaping the democratic process and development strides of Cameroon.
“The Guardian Post is undoubtedly the biggest newspaper in Cameroon. Everyone is marveled by the newspaper’s professionalism and middle-of-the road editorial policy. No one can tell for sure on which sides The Guardian Post stands. The newspaper has no permanent enemies and no permanent friends…that’s what makes The Guardian Post a must-read and everybody’s newspaper. I must confess here and now that WICUDA-USA elements are so proud of you. That is why we are honouring you with this ‘Njap’ and a traditional cap,” Fon Nganjo said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, WICUDA-USA President, Abel Ngwang, expressed the wish to see The Guardian Post reports regularly on the many contributions they make for development projects and other initiatives back home.
For his part, WICUDA DC/MD President, George Karngong, said he is proud that a Wimbum man (referring to Kristian Ngah Christian), runs the most regularly-published newspaper in the entire CEMAC Subregion.
He counted that the newspaper is published everyday- Monday to Sunday in colour, is the only print media organ in Cameroon operating in its own constructed structure, pays staff salaries regularly and is one of few print media organs in Cameroon that own and manage their own printing press.
After enumerating what he qualified as “a miracle” in a challenging economy like that of Cameroon, Karngong questioned: “Why should Wimbum people and Cameroonians not celebrate a man like Kristian Ngah Christian?”
Another US-based Wimbum elite, Ta-Nformi Shaddrack Ndi, made a rallying call for Cameroonians to support The Guardian Post in every way possible.
“If we don’t support a media organ like The Guardian Post; considered the pride of Anglophones and Cameroonians, what else are we supporting,” he questioned.
Yaah Patience Tamfu, CPDM-USA Section President, for her part, said she lived The Guardian Post grew from scratch, to the global media organ it has grown to today.
“I can testify that The Guardian Post is read at the highest level in Cameroon; including the Presidency, the Senate, National Assembly, the Prime Minister’s Office, ministries and all diplomatic missions in Cameroon. The newspaper is also a reference document for Cameroonians living in the United States of America,” she disclosed.
Poineer WICUDA-USA President, Oliver Tangiri, who drove for three hours to the ceremony, said he came, not just to see the man who is running the biggest print media in Cameroon, but to offer him a word of encouragement. “Being someone who worked at The Post newspaper before relocating to the US, l can tell what it means to run a newspaper like The Guardian Post. You deserve our support and encouragement,” he added.
Karnga Usman, who said he grew up together with Kristian Ngah Christian, said The Guardian Post publisher has taught Cameroonians that one can grow from a humble beginning to a global figure.
Meanwhile, speaking after he was decorated, Kristian Ngah Christian, first of all thanked Fon Nganjo Kennedy and WICUDA-USA, for the warm reception accorded him and his wife. He said he was marveled by some of the things said about him and The Guardian Post, which he fervently calls “God’s newspaper”.
He promised he and his formidable team at The Guardian Post will strive to improve the newspaper’s content to make it more appealing and readable.
About Kristian Ngah Christian
The Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Post is a graduate of the presitgious Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC, Yaounde. He is also holder of a US-sponsored Diploma in Investigative Journalism and a British-sponsored Diploma in Environmental Reporting.
Among other positions he holds, Ngah is the interim President of the Federation of Newspaper Publishers, FEDIPRESSE(a grouping of all newspaper publishers in Cameroon); President of the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers’ Association, CENPA; member of the Committee to study application files for government’s subsidy to the private press and member of the Committee to study and authorise publication of legal notices in newspapers in Cameroon.
Ngah, who has traveled widely, is also the Goodwill Ambassador of Arkansas State, in the United States of America.
The Guardian Post publisher was among 13 journalists, selected from across Africa, in 2018, to hold a working session with French President, Emmanuel Macron, on Africa-France relations.
By Ahone Jessy
