At the graduation ceremony this year at Fourah Bay College, the name that stood in particular admiration across the amphitheatre is Esther Susanette Bassie, best performing student in Broadcast Journalism for the 2024/2025 academic year in the Faculty of Communication, Media and Information Studies.
What began as a proud academic moment soon grew into something even more meaningful.Esther was awarded a Le 10,000 cash prize from AYV Empire CEO Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., along with a three-month paid internship at MediaMix Express, one of the country’s fast-growing multimedia companies. The cheque was presented to her during the ceremony, drawing warm applause from lecturers, classmates, and family members.
Speaking to Salone Messenger shortly after receiving the honours, Esther admitted that the recognition felt almost unreal.
“I honestly didn’t expect this. I knew I had worked hard, but standing here today as the best in Broadcast Journalism feels like a dream,” she said, smiling as she clutched her award. She went on to explain that behind her success were long nights of preparation, constant self-discipline, and a genuine love for storytelling.
Her work did not go unnoticed on campus either. The Mass Communication Students’ Association (MACOSA) also recognised her as one of the faculty’s best graduating students, further cementing her place among the standout scholars of this year’s cohort.
The Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Francis Sowa, congratulated all the awardees and graduates, urging them to step confidently into the professional world. He noted that the achievements on display reflect both talent and resilience, qualities that the media sector urgently needs.
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For Esther, the internship opportunity marks the beginning of a new chapter—one that will move her from the classroom into real newsroom experience. Many of her peers believe she represents the next generation of broadcast journalists who will help shape Sierra Leone’s media landscape.
As she left the ceremony surrounded by friends taking photos and cheering her on, Esther summed up her journey with quiet determination: “This is only the beginning.”
