Ouagadougou: The Babou Paulin Bamouni International Foundation was officially established on Monday in Ouagadougou to support young talents and preserve the intellectual and professional legacy of the former Burkinabe journalist, known for his commitment to political awareness and freedom of expression. The initiator of the project and daughter of the deceased journalist, C©line Bagnipia Bamouni, explained that this foundation was born from a family desire to keep the memory of her father alive and to pass on his values to new generations.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the project, which required several years of reflection before its realization, intends to support journalism students, young professionals wishing to improve their skills, as well as promising journalists destined to play a major role in the African media landscape, said the journalist's daughter. The foundation has set itself four main missions: promoting education, culture and justice in Africa, supporting journalistic integrity in the face of disinformation, guiding young talent towards professional excellence, and defending the rights of journalists and freedom of expression.
To realize her ambitions, the founder announced the creation of the Bamouni Academy, which will offer scholarships for training in journalism, literature and cinema, capacity building sessions as well as professional retraining programs adapted to the evolution of the profession. The foundation also plans to establish the Paulin-Bamouni Grand Prize to reward investigative journalism and ethics, the "Zaina Prize" for young talent, and an assistance program for journalists in difficulty and vulnerable people.
During the discussions, several witnesses recounted the career of Babou Paulin-Bamouni, a former journalist, teacher, and committed author, who considered journalism as an instrument for informing, educating, and raising awareness among people. B©atrice Damiba, former president of the High Council for Communication, praised the courage once shown by the illustrious deceased, his fidelity to his political convictions and his contribution to the revolutionary press in Burkina Faso. Ms. Damiba also recalled her role as a mentor and educator to many media professionals.
The foundation's president finally invited media professionals, researchers, students, and citizens to support the initiative through volunteering, mentoring, or contributions in order to promote the ideals of truth, responsibility, and commitment championed by Babou Paulin-Bamouni. A platform accessible via social networks has been created to allow everyone to learn about the foundation's activities. The launch ceremony brought together former colleagues, journalists, relatives, and players from the media world who came to pay tribute to the man who was presented as a man of conviction, rigorous and deeply attached to the ideals of social justice and truth.