Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
The tree planting exercise was the crux of a series of activities organized by the Yaounde chapter of the Association of English Speaking Journalists – CAMASEJ. It’s symbolism could not be over emphasized.
“The tree planting symbolizes our modest contribution to help safeguard the future of the planet,” says Ndi Eugene Ndi, CAMASEJ Yaounde chapter president.
After the exercise, CAMASEJ Yaounde chapter members took a commitment to grow the tree for it to serve the purpose it was planted.
The exercise which took place at the Head Office of The Guardian Post daily newspaper was in line with the theme of the 31st World Press Freedom Day which is “A press for the planet:Journalism in the face of environmental crisis”.
This theme was equally the theme of a panel discussion organized to empower and encourage media practitioners to embrace environmental reporting.
“Every story deserves to be told, but some stories are particularly decisive,” says Eugene Nforngwa.
Eugene Nforngwa, who was keynote speaker at the commemoration is a Climate Change International Development and Energy Policy Expert.
In his address, he presented facts and figures on the effects of climate change on the environment, and most especially to humans. Emphasis was also laid on climate justice, carbon market, as areas where reporters can exploit.
“Environmental crisis are interconnected,” he said, adding that “climate change is no longer an abstract affair”, encouraging media men and women to embrace environmental reporting and most importantly solution journalism from “the African eye”.
The different panelists dwelled on skills and technics in environmental reporting, opportunities, openings, among others.
The celebration was also an occasion for the media men and women to pay tribute to their fallen colleagues who were killed in the line of duty. Samuel Wazizi, Anye Nde Nsoh, Martinez Zogo, and others, were cited as examples.
Also present to commemorate with the Yaounde chapter were members from other branches. Richard Nde, of CAMASEJ Bamenda, Tarhyang Tabe, Executive Director of CAMP, Cham Victor Bama, of CAMASEJ Buea and Francis Ninpa, Sah Terence, members of CAMASEJ Bamenda were all guests.
In the bill up to this event, CAMASEJ Yaounde had other activities, one of which was a clean up campaign in the Yaounde VI municipality. Members of the Association, after cleaning gutters at strategic junctions, collected tons of refuse littered on the stretch of road from Rond Point Express, through Acacia to the Office of the Divisional Officer for Yaounde VI.
“We are leading by example, that is why we decided to carry out this clean up exercise. When you are advocating for change, you should be part of the change,” Ndi Eugene said.
