From microphone to AK47: Meet the Cameroonian reformer

“Zachary Nkwo’s Ultimate Commentary”, a book written by CRTV’s sports commentator, Ignatius Fon Echekiye to celebrate the life and career of Zachary Nkwo, iconic sports commentator in Cameroon was recently launched across the country.

Ion the book, Zachary Nkwo is presented as a monument and guru of sports reporting in Cameroon, one who inspired many to embrace sports reporting in the country.

“Zachary Nkwo’s Ultimate Commentary” was launched in Yaoundé on Thursday, December 17 and in Buea on Friday, December 18, at the Buea Council Chambers.
Barrister Ashuntantang Tanjong, presenting a paper at the ceremony titled “Sports Journalism in Cameroon,” referred to Zachs Nkwo as a man standing in a class of his own.

In reviewing the 142 page book, another presenter, Azore Opio, said the book is about a man who transformed the microphone into an AK47, adding that Zachary Nkwo is a living encyclopaedia of sports reporting – he remembers every sports action with exactitude of time.

 

The author of “Zachary Nkwo’s Ultimate Commentary,” Fon Echekiye, gave a synopsis of the book.

“I’m getting into his biography, telling you in 142 pages, eight chapters and five appendixes what Zachary Nkwo is as a political animal, who he is as a family man and a social being and who he is as an iconic professional and how his early beginnings were.”

Echekiye tells budding sports commentators to be studious and open to learn from the rich experience of veteran commentators.

“The take home message for young sports commentators is for them to do their homework well. If you don’t do your homework well, you can’t meet the mark. Don’t forget that every other Cameroonian has become a sports commentator. So you must make a difference by doing your homework. Zachary Nkwo is able to remember every sports action because he does his homework well. We have to do same in order to shine,” Echekiye said.

As per Charly Ndi Chia, Member of the National Communication Council, “We have here two ace sports commentators, and one has written about the other. I think it is a great project that must be emulated by other people. Like the reviewer said, people should not wait until

Fon autograph’s a copy of “Zachary Nkwo’s Ultimate Commentary”, for Mayor Ekema

somebody dies for them to go doing some eulogies. Recognise people when they are still alive.”

Christopher Ambe, Publisher/Editor of The Recorder described the book launch as a celebration of life.

“We are happy to be celebrating Zachary Nkwo while he is still alive. We should learn to celebrate our own when they are still alive. This was a great occasion, a big ceremony and I think other achievers should be celebrated while they live,” Ambe said.

To Franklin Sone Bayen, Publisher/Editor of the short-lived “This is sports, this is football,” also the brain behind “MEDIApeople,” Zachary Nkwo did for ten years what many have failed to do in a lifetime.

“The likes of Zachary Nkwo grew up building a career. He was so great. We are celebrating Zachary Nkwo for the work he did for ten years, 1978 to 1988 while at radio Cameroon. Uncle Zachary Nkwo starred for ten years within which time he did it all,” Bayen said.

Patrick Ekema, the Mayor of Buea Council was chair of the book launch in Buea.