By Ikome Christie-noella Eposi in Buea
Kum Bin Leonard has secured a second term as president of the South West chapter of the Cameroon Journalists Trade Union, known by its French acronym as SNJC. This was during an elective general assembly Saturday, September 8 presided at by SNJC National President, Denis Nkwebo.
Kum will run the affairs of the union in the South West along with 20 other members of his executive team. Without opposition, the Kum-led list secured 23 of the 24 validly cast votes
Talking at the close of the election, the newly elected president Kum Leonard said he and his executive are fully ready to continue with the second mandate.“We just hope that the wisdom and grace of God is going to guide us and direct our steps so that we are going to defend the rights and the privileges of the journalists in the South west region,” he said.
“Much attention needs to be given to the aspect of responsibility of journalists not because we have the right to talk, inform and educate that we are supposed to talk without considering the laws that govern the practice of Journalism in Cameroon. Therefore we are calling for a responsible practice because when we talk of right, we equally talk of responsibility so we are equally going to lay a lot of emphasis on responsible reporting especially at such a time when Cameroon is faced with crisis in the two English speaking regions,” Kum averred.
While adding that the trade union is meant for all journalists both those of the public and private press, the new president, said for their first task in office, they shall undertake a media tour in the region to get everybody on board.“Together we can work and make the journalism practice great again. The trade union is not solely for journalists, anybody who is working in the media landscape of the South west region has the opportunity to belong to the trade union”.
Commissioning the newly elected executive, SNJC National President Denis Nkwebo instructed them to immediately engage on a media tour, go on reach out activities, visit as many DO’s and S.D.O’s as possible in the region; popularize the union, visit the University of Buea department of Journalism and Mass Communication where each and every student can be part of the trade union, prepare for the national congress among others. The national executive bureau, he said, is ready for any training session on trade unionism. The newly elected president thanked all for a free and fair election. He promised that his new executive was going to work to uplift and defend the rights and privileges of all the journalists in the region. He equally pledged to collaborate and give all the support to the national bureau of the trade union. He challenged everyone present to stand by each other at all times, especially at difficult moments. “This is what we call trade unionism. We all must have the spirit of courage and love for one another”.
Those elected include:
Kum Leonard – President, Ines Danielle Sob epousé Ondoa Balla – Vice President in charge of Gender, Claudia Nsono – Vice President in charge of Public Relations, Atia Tilarious Azohnwi – Secretary General, Frida Leyina – Vice Secretary General in charge of Action, Agbor Enow Emile – Secretary in charge of Solidarity, Rev Mrs Geraldine Fobang – Secretary for Training, Tarhyang Enowbikah Tabe – Secretary for Communication, Jato Gakwi Derrick – Secretary in charge of Discipline, Jack Ekwe Kinge – Secretary in charge of Sports, Meriline Adama Ngwa – Organising Secretary, Talla Agha Christopher – Secretary in charge of Judicial Affairs, Takusi Carine epousé Shalo –Financial Secretary, Lawrence Esong Akang – Treasurer, Fonki Yanick – Auditor, Rev. Mrs Geraldine Fobang – Spiritual Director. Advisers include Anne Munjong, Julius Teke, Francis Nche, Ndong Elias-Ivor Ngang and Nyambot Divine.