Central African Republic
“During my career, I have observed that social cohesion and living together can never be taken for granted, they require daily efforts and persistence at all levels.”
Nina Verdiane Niabodé is a producer and presenter at Radio Ndeke Luka, the Central African Republic’s number one media outlet, founded by Fondation Hirondelle. In her talk she describes the magic of radio to cut across distances and divides to bring people together and ultimately to help build peace.
Nina Verdiane Niabodé was born on October 24, 1987, in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, to Central African parents. Trained as a journalist, she has more than 10 years of experience in the profession. Holding a degree in Information and Communication Sciences (SIC) obtained from the University of Bangui, Verdiane has been working since October 2018 as a producer and presenter at Radio Ndeke Luka, the country’s number one media outlet, founded by Fondation Hirondelle.
Loved by a wide audience of listeners, due to hosting the midday segment at 12 p.m., they have given her nicknames such as ‘the 5G girl,’ signifying high-speed, ‘Paid to Talk,’ or ‘the girl who talks too much.’ Verdiane quickly gained recognition through her segment ‘A VOUS DE JOUER,’ which is a mix of entertainment and information, a role she was assigned in February 2020 by her superiors. Today, she is cited as an example of successful female radio voice and empowerment, which led her to receive an award in June 2023 from a women’s empowerment organisation.