Friday, August 29, 2014

Bright White and Red on Amy Friday to love, cherish and inspire ...

I love discovering new things and red and white patterns and colours this Friday inspire me to love and give all I can for change.
 White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour. Blot activities of your weekend with purity and valor.
 It has no specific significance that I have ever run across but it inspires loyalty.
  The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777.
The stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the my heart.
The smile is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which I aspire to inspire  from time immemorial.


Flying in the spirit of faith, trust, truth, honesty, confidence and love this Friday, I inspire self confidence to my viewers and readers. Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the color of perfection. I may not be perfect but I seek perfection at all cost, and in my strife to make my country a better place, I choose to inspire you with the virtues of my bright colours for the weekend.

* Let us meet tomorrow at 3pm to discuss the plight of the 'buyam sellam' and the victim of the Quartier Bamenda Demolition.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

VOV 100 PICS

The 'Voice of the Voiceless' Show conceived & presented by Amy BANDA enters its hundredth edition with a new phase on outreach. Embarking on the VOV giving back to the community initiative ahead of August 16, we realised many people are moved & touched by kind acts of sharing with people you have no blood connection with. Visiting the orphans of the Emmanuel Memorial Home of Hope & Save the Children Alliance of limbe only broadened my scope of understanding social related issues. The VOV 100 edition propels a new dimension & vision geared towards outreach programs in communities to allow and enable the people develop a sense of belonging, responsibility & common good. The pictures below are archives of a soirée organised to thank the people and panelists for trusting the initiative & making it a platform linking government to victims & policy makers.


Amy addressing her guests
 
Amy & Brenda Njiwaji (Presenter of the VOV 100 Anniversary & reporter on the VOV show) after the soirée at SOMATEL Bali, Douala.
 
Amy & Elthon DJEUTCHA (Co presenting VOV 100 Anniversary with Brenda NJIWAJI) a unique TV face & investigative reporter.
 
 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Making Mothers Matter in the difference

I am the fifth child in a family of nine from a humble abode grown up to accept things I can handle and leave GOD to handle those I cannot change. Life is such a ballad full of pleasant & unpleasant surprises but only complete when all phases are experienced. I grew up in the hilly slopes of Banja knowing every girl at a certain age must earn respect of the society once she is married, gives birth and caters for her family, but now, I have a different version of Life's cruise. I have been pregnant 5 times readers but I still do not have a child at 28 due to circumstances I can't use words to explain. My first child died at 6 years without uttering a word nor made a move and when I dug deep to find out why my boy could not talk at his age, a friend I love so much happened to be the root cause of my misfortune. I had a 5, 7 & 3 month old miscarraige(s) respectively and two years ago I had a fifth pregnancy, gave birth to my beautiful baby whose condition obliged an urgent transfer to one of the District hospitals in Douala and despite all expenditures to save my baby, I saw her take her last breath upon arrival at the hospital where she had to be put in a nest for premature babies, so that she still feels the warmth of the womb enabling it to live normally till I am ready to take her home. I am still single and searching at 28. Sometimes I ask myself questions, answers are deeply farfetched when I listen to the next.

I am a 26 year old mother of two children I abandonned because of greed and competition I should have surpassed. I got initiated to a deadly  spiritual joint by my kid sister who told me I will have anything I wanted once a member. I took the lives of 11 persons and the 12th, My husband didn't spare me the trouble. It all started like a joke and before i knew it, i was living a life of a different world on this planet. Status, money and fame was all I wanted at all cost,one of the reasons why I married a well to do mechanical engineer at my tender age,when my mates were at the university furthering their education. I had done all that was required of me and that famous night I had to organise a party, lull my husband to sleep with me so i could reach that stage that will earn me much money, thus respect in the society. I told him i was organising a party and he told me not to, because he neither had the money for the birthday ceremony, nor saw the need for the occasion. Since I knew my mission, I got my guests all dressed in hot pants to come and I threw the party at my matrimonial home. When he arrived, I seduced him to no avail and I forced him with the aid of my mother & kid sister to sleep with me that night. Spiritually alert, he rejected my offer and when the neighbours came to his safety, I ran mad. This stage of mental distress lasted 4 months after which I died leaving behind my 2 lovely kids & husband because of greed and quick to get wealth. I gave birth but did not enjoy the priviledge of motherhood.

I am a successful young woman whose life is a testimony at every level. I have taken care of so many ungrateful children who forget so easily how I took them, cleaned them and gave them life, even their parents could not and will never do. All I get from these kids is scorn, disrespect and insults. I remember how my phone calls transformed their miserable lives to some status they now enjoy and have forgotten so soon how they got there. I leave each insult to GOD to handle as I live that life of pain knowing gain will come at GOD's time for them to know: 'No condition is permanent'. What I don't get and understand is how a child could grow up and forget her origins and humble beginnings so soon. I even get confused when I know how prayerful these girls could be and ask GOD many a times if we are serving the same GOD of there is some degree of pretence somewhere. I don't have kids of my own but I bring up children who even insult me with my predicament blaming me for not making babies because I eat them up through diabolical means to make money and fame my everything.The question I ask myself is how one could possibly stay, dine, wine and pray with a witch for months without being one.

I am a mother of a lovely little girl I had at age eighteen. I have a nice job but spend little or no time with my queen because of the nature of my job. I so happen to have a kind, lovely and understanding mother who runs all my motherly calls & errands for me. In fact, she gives my daughter what I could not and cannot give her in the next generation because I wasn't prepared for the pregnancy. Its a mistake I can't deny but I'm proud of boasting with my mates with that achievement of mine. Honestly speaking, I don't know how I would have done it without the help of my mum.

Who is a mother? Who do you call your child? how far can you go to mother a child? Must you be a mother only and only if you bear a child? Can you adopt kids from orphanages who will turn all of a sudden to be your worst nightmare? Should you sleep with another man just to be a mother? What do you tell the lad about his origins when he grows up? Must you allow your life to be dictated by the society?

They all have a story, a fine tale and write up to inspire this generation lost in the middle of the sea. Women without kids are mothers and girls/women who give birth to babies they later abandon in the dustbin due to whatever circumstance, cannot term themselves 'Mothers' because they disgrace woman hood and will never be virtue if people see vice.

I don't know in which of the 4 stories you relate more with, but I know there ain't any difference, especially after hearing News early this Morning, of a hardworking woman who has been married for 18 years without issue, dieing in the childbearing process. Is she going to mother the child from the game? If this pricks your mind, then you must not allow society dictate the course of your life but take matters into your hands and make the difference.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Job: Deputy Director General, Nigeria TV Project, Equal Access Nigeria, Northern Nigeria

Deputy Director, Nigeria TV Project, Equal Access Nigeria
JOB DESCRIPTION
Date: July 24, 2014

Job Title: Deputy Director General
Location: Northern Nigeria
Travel Requirements: Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, and field-based activities in Northern Nigeria
Project: Equal Access-Nigeria TV Project

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS AND COORDINATION:

Reports to: Director General, Equal Access-Nigeria AREWA24
Technical Oversight: AREWA24 President; EA HQ Senior Program Manager

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:
Equal Access (EA) is an international not for profit organization (501c3), headquartered in San Francisco and working throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East. A communications for social change organization that combines the power of media with community mobilization, Equal Access creates customized communications strategies and outreach solutions that foster peace building and social cohesion, women & girls’ empowerment, youth life skills & livelihoods, human rights, health, as well as civic participation and good governance in the developing world. EA has launched a satellite TV project focused on Hausa speakers in northern Nigeria and seeks a Deputy Director General to help manage the growth of its Nigeria program.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Job Summary:The Deputy Director General will be responsible for supporting the Director General to oversee and manage television production, company and community outreach and the development of select partnerships for EA-Nigeria and the AREWA24 channel. S/he will ensure that AREWA24 is delivering quality content to audiences across Northern Nigeria and the Hausa-speaking sub-region. S/he will liaise with potential business partners and sponsors to drive EA’s commercialization strategy for AREWA24.
Specific Responsibilities:
  • Help develop and implement a strategy for research and analysis related to the AREWA24 channel and its target audiences; advise the DG about program slots targeting the desired audience, as well as audience reactions to the broadcast programs.
  • Work with the DG and Head of Production to ensure that all production deliverables are submitted on-time in a suitable format and in-line with EA’s strict quality standards.
  • Provide technical assistance to staff to build their capacity in producing, editing, and finalizing high-quality television content.
  • Analyze the commercial market in Nigeria and work with the DG and AREWA24 President to adapt the channel’s commercialization strategy.
  • Work with the AREWA24 President to identify, develop and manage new commission-based revenue streams from corporate sponsorships, advertising, and other relevant models to ensure AREWA24’s commercial sustainability.
  • Explore the feasibility of innovative revenue-generation ideas, such as product placement, sponsorship, merchandising under AREWA24 license and advertiser-funded programming.
  • Liaise with the Nigerian public authorities about possible sources of income relating to the broadcasting of public service announcements or related to other relevant approaches.
  • Work to engage with bi- and multi-lateral donors (UN, USG, and others) and like-minded corporations to develop programming for the channel.
  • Explore the feasibility of developing potential equity partnerships with like-minded corporations and entities to further the channel’s growth and sustainability
  • Represent EAN and AREWA24 in the DG’s absence.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
  • Advanced degree in mass communication, media production, and/or business/marketing
Work Experiences:
  • Minimum 10 years' experience in TV production and broadcast/cable; at least 6 years in a supervisory role
  • A thorough knowledge of production processes, TV business models (cable/satellite TV a plus), audience research, and other areas vital to the commercial success of any TV channel
  • Experience in coordinating with external suppliers, producers, sponsors, and advertising sales houses
  • Able to work under extreme pressure and deadlines
Language and Computer Skills:
  • Excellent spoken and written English, knowledge of Hausa a plus
  • Computer skills: Final Cut Pro, Pro Tools, and experience with other editing software packages; MS Word and Excel
Travel:
  • Able to undertake travel to the project locations as required
To apply, please send your application including a cover letter, updated CV, and three references to jobs(at)equalaccess.org no later than September 15, 2014. Please note that we may consider applications and begin the interview process prior to the closing date.
               
 
CCCCCsocial change, tv production, women's empowerm

Friday, August 8, 2014

Journalists & Technies upgrade ICT skills in a 2 day Seminar Workshop on ICT Tools for online Journalism.

http://youtu.be/9HYRBwl8alI

In the video above, participants plan to make use of the knowledge to improve their performance in Journalism practice.


The ICT intellectual brainstorm organised by the US Embassy schooled participants on new notions on online Journalism. Coming after a show (VOV 97 conceived and presented by Amy BANDA) on 'The Web we want: Internet without discrimination,censorship and surveillance' Journalists, Techies and Embassy staff explored the power of publication, engaging audience online via text, audio and video storytelling, maximizing impact on news reports beyond time shifts and classical broadcasting.

The training ignited the famous conversation on censorship from others and self. Should the journalist air his or her views beyond editorial lines or should he/she should play the cooperate ethics game in the detriment of personal convictions?
Professor Corey Takahashi, from the Syracuse University in New York took the diplomatic stand: «In journalism, 1+1=3, the best camera is what you have at hand, I don't judge, but would let you guys know that in the US if you won’t publish for any reason, you can always pass the stuff on to a colleague..." Excel Asama, CEO of I-Vission International had a different conception from some of the participants on the theory of freedom of expression and financial dependency. He refused to take back home the opinion that "if you don't have money, just publish what the big boys and the establishments want" he argued further that fear and ignorance are two adjacent illusions that will always obstruct a man from reaching personal convictions and that those who succeed in journalism today are independent and motivated and not dependent and oppressed.

Below are pictures of VOV 98 focusing on the African Woman in a Digital World.

Mrs Lupeube, a Congolese refugee, Aretha Louise Mbango PRO of Perenco, Emma AKEM of the WCIC, Amy BANDA, Chantal NGOUASSA President of the Association of distressed widows and Jean Louis BIMELA SHUDZEKA Pdt of the Cameroonian Community in Hong Kong on the set of VOV.

 Emma Akem of the Women's Counselling & Information Centre, Mrs Lupuebe, Aretha Louise MBANGO, Myself, Shudzeka Jean Louis BIMELA & Mme Chantal Ngouassa after the show on August 2, 2014.

 Women faced with legal issues from the North, East, Littoral, North West, Adamawa, Centre, South, Far North, South West & West Regions of Cameroon (or even out of territorial boundaries) can from now on, reach the WCIC online to submit their problems.
The Concept Initiator & Host of VOV is dressed by Donatela Creation (77600415) located at the entrance of Lycée Mongo Joseph, Rue Koloko, Bonapriso, Douala - Cameroon.

The African woman has basics on technologies but should be able to manufacture as well, so as not remain an IT literate from the user perspective.

Focus: VOV 99 on August 9, 2014 delves on Intra / Inter urban Movement in Cameroon. Join us live as from 3pm to tell us your appreciation of the transport network in the country.
Are you satisfied with the system of transport in Cameroon?