By Noela EBOB BISONG
Roland Mbonteh has taken over office as the new head of the SOPECAM Agency in the South West Region. After his appointment last August 12, Mbonteh was handed the keys to the Regional Office in Buea on Friday, August 23, during a brief and colourful event, chaired by the representative of the General Manager of SOPECAM, Gregoire Djamaila.
Mbonteh replaces Nkezie Gabriel now on retirement. The outgoing was praised for all his contributions to push SOPECAM forward for the past 39 years, services described as ‘good and loyal’. The GM’s representative recalled that the outgoing showed bravery during his days, covering the Lake Nyos disaster in 1986 and most recently the crisis in the South West Region.
Mbonteh, born on October 16, 1984 is a graduate of the department of Journalism and Mass Communication in the University of Buea. He returns to SOPECAM SW as head, after serving there as a reporter in the early years of his career.
He previously worked at the political desk of Cameroon Tribune in Yaounde, before becoming part of the pioneer team of Cameroon Business Today, another arm of SOPECAM. He was the head of the Investigative pool of Cameroon Business Today.
During the technical-handover ceremony, Mbonteh was charged by the GM’s representative to remain professional, hard working, loyal and maintain a cordial relationship with his collaborators in SOPECAM South West. He was cautioned against any form of corruption and dictatorship.
The youth was specifically charged to keep a reputable relationship with the Agency’s partners and the administration of the region for fruitfulness.
The SOPECAM Agency comprises the national daily Cameroon Tribune, Cameroon Insider, Nyanga and Cameroon Business Today.
Words of welcome and congratulations were expressed by the Regional Delegate of Communication for South West, Rosette Achu, who said Mbonteh is a younger brother who is calm and responsible and she is optimistic they will operate in the best of manner as occupants of the same building.
At the reception after the handover ceremony, Mbonteh said he is indebted to SOPECAM hierarchy for the recognition of his efforts and thanked colleagues, relatives and friends who have stood by him all the while. He requested for prayers for him to sail through the task ahead.