Cameroon:Zachary Nkwo Scholarship Scheme Ups Beneficiaries.

By Christopher Ambe

 A scholarship scheme launched for undergraduate journalism students in honor of CRTV veteran journalist/ace sport commentator, Zachary Nkwo, who died in June 2017 at the age of 69,  has been modified to benefit eight applicants, up from three at  its launch in 2017.

Officials of Zachary Nkwo Scholarship Scheme with journalists

 The scheme is intended to promote brilliant and outstanding journalism students, to shine like the deceased, who did Cameroon proud in the exercise his profession.

The scholarship will henceforth not only be for the less privileged students but also for those with outstanding performance in secondary school.

The three pioneer laureates were Lindjeck Antoine Aymard of ASMAC Yaoundé, and Elame Germany and Nako Esukisse Michael of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC), University of Buea.

But only two will be graduating this year as Elame Germany was later dropped from the scholarship due to non-compliance with the requirements. was later dropped for non-compliance.

At a press conference, last October 10, at Eta Palace Hotel in Buea,  the Board of Directors of the Zachary Nkwo Scholarship Scheme, revealed that after  reviewing its first phase, they  modified the scheme as follows:

-Eight students can benefit from the scholarship (four from ASMAC Yaounde and four from JMC, University of Buea

-Scholarship will henceforth be a book/tuition/transport/partial accommodation scholarship and the financial package stands at 250,000FCFA per student for each academic year for three years; it is broken down as: 50,000 FCFA for fees, 50,000 FCFA for books, 50,000 FCFA for transport and 100,000Fcfa for partial accommodation

Mr.Amo khater ,who is the commercial director of SOURCE DU PAYS in Muyuka  and chairman  of the scheme’s Board of Directors,  presided at the press conference in the presence of  other board members viz:Professor Victor Julius Ngoh(brother to late Zachary Nkwo),Veteran journalist Kevin Njomo, Nana  Walter Wilson of CRTV,Mrs.Mabel Yufani and Mr. Isidore Agha.

With the passing of Zachary Nkwo,Mr. Amo  khater thought of how  SOURCE DU PAYS  could  keep the deceased’s memory alive  and thanks to Mr. Isidore Agha, the scholarship  scheme was born.

 The scholarship was initially 550,000Fcfa for each of the three beneficiaries from JMC /UB and ASMAC for three years.

The eligibility criteria are: must be Cameroonian; must show proof of admission into JMC/UB or ASMAC Yaoundé; application letter either in English or French to the Board explaining the candidate’s choice of journalism as a career and explaining why he or she should be considered  an underprivileged  student ; two recommendation letters to the Board chair, one from a religious minister of any mainstream religious  denominations and the other from the principal of the applicant’s secondary school/college.

(The deadline for submission is October 25, 2020. For more inquiries- Email:zacharynkwoscholarship@gmail.com or Tel: 670111242 or PO Box 914, Douala)

 A recipient of the scholarship must submit end-of –semester results to the Board and must not repeat an academic year or be sanctioned by the University for any academic or disciplinary offence.

At the press conference,Prof. Victor Julius Ngoh presented a brief biography of the deceased who was an ex-student of St Joseph’s College, Sasse; CCAST Bambili and ASMAC Yaoundé while Kevin  Njomo,retired CRTV journalist, recalled some  lessons he learned from Zachary Nkwo,who was his senior in  St.Joseph’s College,Sasse,Buea.