Back in the game: The next level in the life of a media personality! 2019 productions!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

 In  what I prefer to describe as  getting back in to the game- the next step in the life of a media personality, it has been yet another fascinating experience for me over the last couple of months , as I returned to radio. I began producing and presenting programmes and news on West Africa Democracy Radio !

 Hence, dusting off the years when  I had  moved  away from everyday journalistic work,  and from the  daily routine of programme planning, actual production and presentation of radio programmes and newscasts!

Luckily I had managed to keep the professional reflexes over the years and so it was easy to catch up really fast and swing back in to action once it was time.

Of course so much has happened  as well as  changed  over these years!

For instance, this time around I am in West Africa. Back when I started journalism practice,  I used to work  in my home country Cameroon situated in West-Central Africa, where I spent close to a decade doing journalistic work and radio and Television  (CRTV-Cameroon's National broadcaster).
Far from what obtained back then, radio production equipment have evolved over these years. New  and digital recorders are in plenty.  Editing soft-wares have gradually replaced the old editing machines and  methods that producers and journalists used several years back.  Mobile Phone lines have made it even easier to reach out to resource persons in other parts of the world to get their perspectives and add value to specific topics and issues being handled on programmes. The use of  the world wide web  to gather information and build content for different productions  has been a plus.   The availability  and the use of social media platforms  have also made it easier to share  programmes online and reach out to a wider audience beyond the scope and the broadcast zone of radio stations.

In a nutshell, it has gotten better over time !

Perhaps my quest to remain professional,  and religiously respect  the rules and ethics of the journalism profession is what I have held unto, in spite of the changing times . Maintaining my values and work ethics especially in an era now characterised by fake news , half- baked information, mis-information and rumour peddling , continue to matter. Team spirit is key as well.

Please take some time off to listen to some of my latest productions  on Women and genders issues and let me know what comments you have . Feel free to indicate how I can improve on the work.

A celebration of mothers and motherhood by Mabi Azefor  Fominyen

https://audiomack.com/song/wadr/07-fifty-fifty-celebrating-mothers-motherhood-mabi-may15-2019

Discussing sexual and gender-based violence in West Africa by Mabi Azefor Fominyen

https://audiomack.com/song/wadr/06-fifty-fifty-sexual-and-gender-based-violence-24-april-2019

Women's interest in politics in West Africa by Mabi  Azefor Fominyen

 Mabi Azefor Fominyen Speaks to a gender specialist Ms Irene Chinje on progress made to empower women in Africa and women's advancement 

What is this Social Media One minute of Fame ? Have we become that insensitive to the pain of others?

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen,

Lately, I have been asking myself so many questions in relation to  the content that people put on social media platforms !

Bloody!
Painful!
Crazy occurrences!
Corpses!
Accidents!
Altercation!
Abuse!
Extreme acts of violence!
..................................................the list can go on!

Seriously! I just can't understand the motives behind such!
Perhaps that is why I am very concerned about the impact this could have on other people and on the world at large.

Several  years back while I studied  Journalism and Mass Communication, our lecturers often reminded us of the role that the media and media men and women ought to play in society! They cautioned us about  staying factual in spite of the quest to give a scoop or breaking news!  They enjoined us to stay away from sensational journalism. They reminded us of how content mattered to the target audience or target public. Above all, they preached responsible journalism and the strict respect of the norms and ethics of the profession, irrespective of personal interest; "for as media men and women you all would contribute towards either building or destroying a society as a result of  how you gather, handle and dissemination  information". They often reminded us about ACCURACY!
God knows as a Journalism  and Mass communication student back then in the 90's,  I  went through some of the finest and dedicated lecturers in the likes of  Professor Enoh  Tanjong, Dr. George Ngwa, Mr. Asonglefack Nkemleke, Dr Henry Muluh, Mrs. Ndoh Bertha, Dr: Che Tita  and many others who were keen on  teaching the younger ones, training  and sharing their vast knowledge and experiences hitherto acquired in the field of Journalism  and Mass Communication.

Fast forward to today's  world where  the  internet  and social media  platforms have become a part of our daily reality.

I am somewhat lost when I come across some videos and pictures; posted, shared and liked on social media. I am even so appalled at the thought that, because of  the strong urge that  some people have these days, to take pictures and videos some have become insensitive to the pain and hurts of others.
No norms......... , no ethical considerations, no human feelings...., no concern in relation to probable consequences and the implications of such pictures/videos once posted on social media platforms....... all of these seemingly do not matter these days.
 And so it is common place to come across a video posted on Facebook in which two elderly ladies are fighting in the village over a slight misunderstanding yet the person filming is laughing out loudly as the camera rolls.
A teacher beating up a nursery school kid and someone is standing by , watching and  filming then clicks and shares on Facebook a few minutes afterward , worse still,  at the expense of a baby who has just been physically abused.
A student who is stabbed  in school by a fellow school mate , rushed to the hospital for immediate medical care and a hospital staff pulls out a phone and starts to film a helpless student as he gradually dies from the injuries sustained when he was stabbed.

What has  happened that human beings have suddenly become so insensitive to  the pain and suffering of others?
Is it the constant quest for one minute of fame or just the world in which we live in today ?

Somebody help!

Our Robotic Gem part 2 ! Standing Tall in a Robotics/Technology Era

Pictures and highlights of our daughter's ( Carlma ) participation  at robotics events,  medal awards, and some projects undertaken this far!

GISUTECH 

 

Media moment during the competition

 

Our Robotic Gem!Standing tall in a technology era!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

(Carlma takes a look at her robotic hardware control project ahead of a competition )

She aspires to become an engineer in the future. This far her baby steps have been "impressive" to go by the words of some of her teachers. 

For over three years now our daughter Carlma  has been building  robots . This has enabled her to participate in many local and world -wide robotic and  STEM (Science Technology and Math ) competitions. Such has also earned her local and international recognition,  awards,  certificates and several medals ranging from Gold to  Silver and Bronze.

Jessica Alupo- Then (now former) Minister of Education and Sports(Uganda) awards Gold medal to Carlma  

Conceiving  technology -related projects and building robots and bringing them to light has become her daily reality . Carlma  does  this on her own , sometimes with her team mates and at  other times under the supervision of her teachers with much support from  her family .

As we watch her grow ,we are  amazed beyond measure.  We are humbled!

As parents we strive to provide the much needed support and guidance as well as the necessary resources to enable her pursue her dream. 

Carlma with Robotic team supervisors leaving school for another international  robotics competition

We remain very grateful to the Robotics Club of Galaxy International School in Uganda particularly Mr Mikail  Alici for believing in our daughter 's dream and recognising her potentials as well as  for providing the appropriate training, mentorship ,  a befitting environment and the context for her to kick start what hopes to be a future career .

Memories of the successes recorded while in Romania, Kenya, Uganda and  at the other robotics events remain dear to our hearts!

Moving forward, she recently traveled to Barcelona with the International School of Dakar-Senegal Robotics team for yet another robotic competition and we are proud to note that the team won during that competition.

Good luck to my star!Our Robotic Gem !

Mothers 'Day Tribute-Acclaimed and Honoured.

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen.

I was one of the parents who attended the special mother's  day event at the auditorium of Galaxy International School  over the weekend.

The pupils and students had several presentations all meant to celebrate mothers and motherhood. Songs, poems, short movies, a drama piece  and a lot more featured on the agenda.

It was  a very emotional and heart -warming moments for me as I listened to the beautiful things that were said about mothers amid the outpouring of love from the children on stage.
Among some of the key messages were:

"Being a mother is the hardest job in the world ,yet the best job !"

"Mother's love is unconditional ".

"Mother's love is tender".

"Thank you mothers for all your love , care and sacrifice !"

"Mothers we love you ! "

During the event several themes were echoed such as ; love, sacrifice, respect, obedience, gratitude, selflessness, understanding, perseverance, and patience. 

The principal of the school in a brief word during the ceremony,  commended the role of parents in general and mothers in particular, as key in the lives and successes of their children

.

Then came what I would call an unexpected twist.
I was acclaimed and honoured" for being an outstanding mom to my kids, others' and the entire school community . For tremendous support, advice, ideas and meaningful  contributions towards the students, staff, parents ,the school 's management team and the school in general.

OMG!  Seriously I never saw this coming!  As I walked on stage so much ran through my mind. I thought of how God sometimes gives us the wisdom , strength  and energy to do little things in meaningful ways thus impacting others and contributing to their successes as well.

I remembered being acclaimed during several  Parents-Teachers' Conferences for my contribution in home-tutoring and for providing effective follow up  and guidance to my children thus enabling them emerge among the best/tops in their respective classes over the years.

I said to myself "Thank you Jesus" .

Thank you Galaxy International School for the huge recognition for I was one among five other parents honoured during the special Mother's Day event.

Thank you my children ! Having you both and raising you, has given me  immeasurable joy and  taught me how to be the mother I dreamt of becoming, back then when I was a young girl.

Being a mother is truly the hardest job yet the best job.

Thank you too my husband for your role,  plus your constant love and care! 

Thank you mother for setting the pace for me to follow.  In raising  your children you set the example for us to follow and encouraged us to even be better. I love you mom  for who you are and all that you have been to me, the family and  the community !

Happy Mothers Day!

Getting your children set for a new school year!

 By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

It is that time of the year when parents, teachers, education managers and  school officials are looking ahead to the start of another school year.  With the start of the 2016/2017 academic year  just a few hours away, a lot comes to mind.

• How will the children feel on day one of back- to -school especially after spending a long holiday?
• A new class, a new environment, new rules; how will things play out ?
• How will he/she fair in school this year? 
• How will he/she interact with the rest of the children or students and teachers in school?
• How will my child's teacher be able to quickly understand and get along well with him/her and vice versa?
• How well prepared is the school management and staff, for the new school year?
• What are some of the activities that will be carried out this year?
• What will be the role of the parent towards ensuring his/her child's success?

 The questions could be as many and as varied as the situation may be.

 However, the questions and  issues raised above often constitute some of the major concerns  some parents have, as they look forward to sending their children to start a new school year.

Perhaps even more important to mention is the fact that the start of every academic year also comes with a huge financial burden on the shoulders of  parents and caregivers.
Some parents and caregivers are  more concerned about  raising money for school fees, money to buy books, money to buy school uniforms , transport allocation among other needs.This has hardly ever been an easy ride for parents and caregivers.

Perhaps planning and saving some  money early enough, would reduce the last minute stress often associated with  the back -to school moment.

Non- the- less, for tips and guidance on how to tackle some of the other issues and questions  as mentioned in this post please click and follow this link-thread to read further on how best to get children start off a new school year.

As basic as some of the things might seem, if well followed  and  better handled, they would help enormously in getting children kick start the new academic year on a rather confident and more successful note thus making it easier to sail through the year, coupled with hard work and  determination.

Good luck to All and Sundry!

Another Feather on my cap!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

Oh My Gosh!
It has been a while since I last posted an article on this blog. I am even tempted to think that I might have forgotten the basics when it comes to blogging ! Let's see how this goes once more.

When 2014 drew closer to its end, I was so taken by my school work . I had to put in so much time and energy in to completing my research work and submitting my dissertation on time, in order to complete my Masters course and thus graduate on time.
Gladly, I did!

This however meant I had to either forgo or completely put aside many other things, including blogging ( oh yes I did). I was obliged to put in all the much needed time, energy and effort to be able to finish as expected.

I  then went on to attend the Viva Voce, where I had a  chance to present and defend my research. Thank God, it went  really well. With lots of positive feedback from the Jury members and comments on how schools could benefit from such a study thus improving their marketing strategies and ensuring survival. I could finally heave a huge sigh or relief. School was somehow over! With such enthusiasm , I so looked forward to graduation day. It was thus time to get things set for my Big Day!

Decor for graduation party at home

 Helas! It all came together on October 31, 2015 when I stood there at the ceremonial ground at Nkumba University-Uganda. It was  graduation day. A feeling of achievement filled my mind. I followed the ceremony keenly and when my name was read out, I whispered to myself ' Thank you Lord, it is done, another feather on my cap'.

As I walked across the ceremonial ground I couldn't help but quietly say to myself, 'So this is it!'
I could feel a sense of pride running through my spine, I thought of the love and support I had received through out from my husband, my kids, family members and friends . I flashed back to the many hours spent listening to lectures over the past two years, sharing knowledge with my classmates, time spent doing assignments, course work, exams and above all working on my dissertation. I felt grateful for the lessons learnt  as well as the guidance and support from my lecturers and my supervisor.

There was every reason to celebrate. I had finished in style. I had  earned good grades and completed the course in record time.
Once back home, it was time to party.
Family members and friends were attendance.

Family and friends on graduation day

A cross-section of guests at the party

I had so looked forward to this day that I felt like crying when everything came together. Friends and family members  expressed really kind words on my behalf.

George F. and Mr  Yankuba

Word from Classmate- Mr. Charles Mwaka

Word from Cameroonian community courtesy of Mrs. Christine Besong

It was a day to remember indeed. I remain grateful to God, my entire family, beloved ones, friends and neighbours for their love, support and kindness.

I had promised myself , I wanted a Masters Degree. For reasons beyond my control, and prior to this, I wasn't able to find the exact time nor the funds to enroll for one. How much more happier could I have been on that Day! The joy was enough to wipe away the stressful moments leading to the final lap of the journey.Thanks darling for everything!

Dance moves with hubby.

Word from Mrs. Catherine Fominyen-on behalf of the family