After years of resilience in the face of crisis and competition, Dream FM has officially rebranded to Diamond Community Radio Network in a ceremony held on Friday February 27, 2026, in the city of Bamenda.
The event brought together veteran broadcasters, media stakeholders, and well-wishers who gathered to witness what many described as not just a change of name, but the beginning of a new chapter in community broadcasting in the North West Region.
A Journey Forged Through Adversity
The promoter and CEO, Kebila Sylvester Junior, popularly known as Pikin fo Mac Chi and also called “I Go Die,” recounted the long and challenging journey that led to the transformation. “It has not been easy since 2019,” he told attendees. “When I left Batibo, where I was working with the Voice of Moghamo (VOM), I never imagined the road ahead.”
"I go die" traced his professional path from Batibo to Bamenda, highlighting his experience with the Community Radio Network (CRN), a radio station in Bafia in the Centre Region, FM 96.5 at City Chemist in Bamenda, and a return stint at VOM Batibo before finally settling in town.
His move to Dream FM came at the invitation of his friend and someone he considered an elder brother, Awa Mic, who had previously promoted Bafut Community Radio before relocating to Bamenda due to the socio-political crisis. Unable to retain the Bafut Community Radio name outside its original locality, Awa Mic established Dream FM.
“When he realized I was back in town, he called me to join him,” Pikin fo Mac Chi recalled. After consulting his mentor and father, the late Peter Tebid Chi, popularly known as Mac Chi, he accepted the offer.
However, the partnership was short-lived. “My partner could not stand the test of time, so he left. I was alone in the heart of the crisis,” he said. “But I was not truly alone. I had friends, brothers. I don’t call them my workers. We collaborate.”
Between 2019 and 2025, Dream FM rose steadily to become one of Bamenda’s leading radio stations, thanks to what Sylvester described as consistency and teamwork.
The decision to rebrand was driven partly by the realization that the name “Dream FM” was not unique, as similar stations operate in other parts of the country, including Buea.
Seeking a stronger and more distinctive identity, Kebila Sylvester consulted colleagues, including Ndi Tsembom Elvis Junior, publisher of Observer237 and Secretary General of FECAFOOT North West, and Muma Jude, Station Manager of Radio Hot Cocoa.
It was Ndi Tsembom Elvis Junior who proposed the name “Diamond.” “Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth,” Ndi Tsembom explained during the ceremony. “Looking at everything he has gone through, we wanted to create something hard something that cannot be easily broken.”
He added that the vision extends beyond radio. “It was not just supposed to be Diamond Radio; it was meant to be Diamond Radio and Diamond TV. This is not the end. It is the beginning of a journey.”
According to him, surviving five years of broadcasting in a crisis-hit region was itself proof of strength and resilience, qualities symbolized by a diamond’s durability and brilliance.
Cross Section of Gathering of Radio Veterans
The name-change event drew several prominent media figures in Bamenda, including Akumbom Elvis MaCathy, a former all-round best Pidgin news caster with Afrique Nouvelle; Noukapassi Martial of Afrique Nouvelle; and other veteran broadcasters of yesteryears.
A panel discussion featuring seasoned journalists formed a highlight of the event. The panellists shared experiences from earlier days in radio broadcasting, comparing past operational realities with today’s digital and crisis-driven media environment.
Discussions touched on the evolution of community radio, the pressures of operating in unstable contexts, and the responsibility of broadcasters to remain credible and people-centred.
Celebration and Forward Vision
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic cake-cutting and cocktail session, marking the official transition from Dream FM to Diamond Community Radio Network.
For Kebila Sylvester Junior and his team, the rebranding represents more than a name change, it signals an ambition to build a resilient, multifaceted media institution rooted in community values.
As the Diamond Community Radio Network begins its new chapter, its leadership says the goal remains clear: to shine brighter, stand stronger, and continue serving the people of Bamenda and beyond.
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