Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
Lebledparle.com regrets to announce the death of Jean-François Ngue Gan, a retired Senior lecturer in Information and Communication Sciences (SIC). He passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024. A pivotal figure at the Higher School of Information and Communication Sciences and Technologies (ESSTIC), he spent decades shaping the careers of future media practitioners.
As head of the radio department at ESSTIC, Prof. Ngue Gan was known for his strict yet passionate teaching approach. Generations of students regarded him more than a professor, to them he was a mentor and a father figure. “He was like a father to us, treating students as his children. We fondly called him ‘Papa Ngue Gan,’ and he always responded with a warm smile,” recalls Michèle Amana, a journalist from ESSTIC’s 51st class and one of his former students.
Outside of academia, Prof. Ngue Gan held key roles at Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), significantly contributing to the radio’s program development.
His death creates a significant void in Cameroon’s academic and media circles. Known for his vast knowledge and willingness to share, he was a source of inspiration for many. “He often shared stories of his live reporting experiences to give us insight into the complexities of the profession. He used to say, ‘I spent 20 years running after the Head of State, alongside my friend Willy Niba,” recounts Jean Bedel Mbassi, one of his ex students.
The news of his passing has deeply saddened journalists and media professionals across the country. “Jean-François Ngue Gan was the first to believe in my potential as a journalist. As editor-in-chief of CRTV Yaoundé FM 94—the only urban radio station at the time—he promoted me to the FM 94 editorial team in 1998 after my participation in the “FM Vacances” program” revealed Georges Alain Boyomo, Managing editor of Mutations.
Our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire ESSTIC community.
