“Ink in My Blood”:Memoir launched, Charles Ndi Chia Truth Journalism Prize announced
By Nchendzengang Tatah
Veteran journalist Charles Ndi Chia, popularly called “Uncle Charlie” had his first book – a memoir of his life and professional practice – launched in Buea on May 17. In the same event in which Ndi Chia’s talent, fearlessness and professionalism were picked out as the hallmark of his practice, making the book a great read, the launch of a journalism prize in his honour was announced.
About the book
Ndi Chia’s book, “Ink in My Blood”, is a 120-page story of a journalist’s “pursuit of truth”. It is situated in the Cameroonian context and spans 1954, when the author was born, through 2019, around when he left active journalism practice as publisher of the Rambler. After years of service at state-owned CRTV, Cameroon Times, and The Post. The book also shares comments and prospects for later years and generations of journalism practice in the country.
Ink in My Blood paints a picture of a “radical” journalist’s struggle in Cameroon. Marked by arrests, detention and exile as he tells stories that affect those in power. It is an “account of one man’s unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity in the face of adversity.”
“I have also seen the dark side of the media, its vulnerability to corruption, manipulation, and control. I have experienced the heavy hand of censorship, the chilling effect of intimidation, and the devastating consequences of violence against journalists,” Ndi Chia wrote, as he further stated that, “I want to share my story, not just as a personal memoir, but as a testament to the enduring spirit of journalism in Cameroon.”
CNC Truth Journalism Prize
The launch was attended by people across different fields of life. It gave room for comments and appraisals of the book and its author. It was in one such comment that Togho Lumumba Mukong announced the Charlie Ndi Chia Prize for Truth Journalism. He felt it was a way of honouring and immortalizing Ndi Chia’s noble contribution to truth for nation building. “He has done a lot for journalism in this country. I think the main thing about Charlie Ndi Chia is standing for the truth,” Mukong asserted. He said the first edition of the award will go on this year, with the question of how to write in the present context of social media.
Eyambe Thomas is Ndi Chia’s friend who encouraged him to pen down his captivating experiences. He noted that it was important to have had Ndi Chia pen down his story to inspire posterity. While veteran journalist Victor Epie Ngome was not indifferent as the book’s reviewer. To him, there was no success without a successor. So he felt it was the significance of Ndi Chia’s publication.
The book he estimated “tells about Charlie. The one I knew while we worked for CRTV. Who was a very courageous person, somebody who didn’t settle for half measures and who never took no for an answer. Those are the qualities that you want to see in a journalist.” Victor Epie encouraged young journalists to trace the paths of Ndi Chia. Keeping humble, resilient and pushful despite adversity.
