The soils of Great Soppo opened up and swallowed the mortal remains of the retired journalist on the rainy afternoon of Saturday, August 31, 2019. Family members, colleagues, friends and hundreds mourners said the late Paul Kode was very jovial.  

Paying his last tributes to the veteran Paul Kode, CRTV South West Station Manager, Kange Williams Wasaloko, described him as a mentor, father and a great man.

To Wasaloko, Paul Kode was a very jovial man. “He was born as a journalist, worked as a journalist and died as a journalist,” Wasaloko stated.

Noel Kode, the last son of the fallen hero, said: “Though he is gone, he remains part of our lives.” He added that he cannot believe their beloved dad is gone. “It sounds like a dream to me. He is everything in one,” he regretted.

Drawing inspiration from Hebrews 9:27, Pastor Charles Enaw said: “Once it brings home the fact that you don’t get a second chance at life and death. It is a one-off. When people say, ‘You only die once!’ they usually mean that you might be reckless.”

During the burial, family members, colleagues, friends and well-wishers turned out en masse to bid farewell to him, who will be remembered for his sense of humour. Paul Kode died at 74 leaving behind a wife, five children, eight grandchildren and the press family to mourn him.

Born in 1945, Paul Kode, schooled in Buea and later proceeded to Nigerian for his secondary school studies. After his studies, he worked with the West Cameroon Government at the time before joining the English desk of CRTV.

His entrance into the lonely state media in 1966, marked the beginning of his career as a great journalist. He held so many positions while in the service, and has gone in memory as the pioneer presenter of the CRTV magazine programme, Luncheon Date.

With his aptitude in journalism and mastery in different local languages, he was appointed Station Manager of CRTV South West. After leaving the public service, he continued with the profession, working as a photographer, a cameraman as well as a writer.

He also worked with the Eden Media Group till his death. Paul Kode’s knowledgeable and other characteristics earned him so many prizes in writing competitions. He was also a member of the scout movement.