Commonwealth Day Activities: Rewarding Journalistic Prowess

As part of activities to commemorate this year’s edition of the Commonwealth Day under the theme: “Unlocking Opportunities Together for a Prosperous Commonwealth” the Ministry of External Relations has launched an award to recognise outstanding achievement in the audio-visual media. Named: “The Peter Essoka Prize for Excellence in Journalism”, it will recognise four recipients annually and each winner will receive a cash prize of FCFA 500,000 from the Ministry of External Relations, in partnership with Merdolf Sarl, a company committed to supporting journalism and media development. A press release signed on February 20, 2026 by the Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, Felix Mbayu gives details on the maiden edition of the award. It states that the nomination procedure to determine the winners (best female and male newscasters and the best male and female animators) will take place via radio phone-in and messages, during the annual Commonwealth Radio Quiz on Luncheon Date and the Mid-Morning Show on CRTV, from Monday 2 to Monday 9 March 2026. The jury to be led by Peter Essoka himself will select winners based on diction, articulation, accuracy, professionalism and overall delivery in the English language. Giving details on the choice of Peter Essoka, Minister Felix Mbayu said the venerated journalist stands out in several ways. “Not anyone can be chosen to be the official voice of the Head of State in the English language for so many years. Peter Essoka epitomizes excellence in diction and grammatical sanctity in the English language. He is not only widely acclaimed by...