Camasej presidency:

Simon Lyonga succeeds Tricia Oben
By Sirri Ntonifor in Kumba

Out-going president Tricia Oben congratulates
president-elect Simon Lyonga

CRTV Radio’s Simon Lyonga La Molombe is the new president of the Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ). He was elected at a General Assembly of the association that held in Kumba, on 22 August 2015.
    Simon defeated former Vice Secretary-General, Franklin Sone Bayen by a sweeping majority of the votes cast. He secured 71 votes as against 14 for his challenger Franklin. The election was by secret ballot.
    It was a tense political atmosphere that clouded the election grounds as the two candidates and their supporters lobbied for potential votes from representatives of the different chapters of Camasej. Some hasty but strategic caucauses and alliances were forged in the process. In the end Simon Lyonga proved the better strategist.
    However, the gentlemanly handshake between victor and vanquished after the elections doused the tension in the hall, leading to a standing ovation from the full house of Camasejans present.
    During his inaugural speech, Simon (who doubles as Secretary-General of the Cameroon Association of Sports Journalists – CASJ) and President of the Yaounde Chapter of Camasej, promised to create an ethics committee with the assistance of senior colleagues in order to ensure discipline and professionalism.
    He also promised to devolve more competences, both administrative and financial, to individual chapters so as to give them greater autonomy. He planned to put greater emphasis on professional growth and capacity-building of members.

    Prior to the elections, Tricia Oben told delegates to the GA that she had suggested to members of the out-going executive bureau that no one of them should run again for office given that they had stayed at the helm for 6 years running. She said the reason for this was in order to give a chance to younger colleagues to also make their mark. Interestingly, all but Franklin Bayern heeded Tricia’s suggestion.
    Tricia expressed satisfaction with the achievements of her team. She listed among others the broadening of members’ experiences through visits to journalism eldoradoes like Nigeria and Kenya to observe and import professional best practices; the establishment of new chapters in Bertoua and Baffoussam; the organisation of biannual seminars for capacity-building and the improvement of professional standards and provision of awards to outstanding members as only some of the landmark achievements of her 6-year reign.
     A prize Award ceremony during the GA saw Charly Ndi Chia of The Post emerging as best for Print Media, Tricia Oben for Radio, and Albert Njie Mbonde for TV. Other outstanding nominees were Comfort Musa for social media and Rose Epie for excellence in the television domain.
    The outgoing executive published a CAMASEJ Handbook in association with the U.S Embassy. Among other issues, the book offers readers tips on effective journalism practice and highlights the role of the media in enhancing cooperation ties between nations. Each bona fide CAMASEJ member received a free copy of the handbook which also contains the Constitution of CAMASEJ.
    Some resolutions of the general Assembly included the holding of GAs annually instead of once in 4 years, and the hosting of a Camasej website.
    CAMASEJ also commended both government and Cameroonians for efforts to combat insecurity brought about by Boko Haram insurgents. The association also called for the upholding of and respect for the Anglophone sub-system of education and the Common Law system that operates in the English-speaking parts of Cameroon.
    Other members of the new executive bureau include Larry Esong as Vice President, Henry Kedjang as Secretary-General, Takusi Carine as Vice Secretary-General, Rosaline Obah as Financial Secretary, Ndeh Richard as deputy Fin Sec, Brigette Ndiep Assam as PRO, Nformi Sonde as treasurer, Tarhyang Tabe as Organizing Secretary and Gillian Tita as Auditor. 
    However, mystery still surrounds the coffers to be inherited by the incoming executive bureau, as no financial report was tendered by the out-going bureau. Even though tentative records show a deficit of more than a million FCFA, the outgoing president reassured that the new executive will begin their journey with a financial surplus as there are pledges that have to be redeemed.
    Tricia Oben advised the new team not to personalize power, and to avoid being defensive or angered by criticisms, whether constructive or not.
    In Acknowledgement of her good works, Simon Lyonga immediately signed a decree appointing Tricia Oben as Honorary President of Camasej.