Senior Dawn Newspaper reporter Awan Achiek has named his 10-month-old son Victor Magak Awan Achiek in honor of veteran South Sudanese journalist and University of Juba lecturer Victor Keri Wani, crediting his former mentor with shaping his career in journalism.
Achiek announced the decision in a post on his Facebook page on Wednesday, saying the name Victor was chosen as a lasting tribute to Keri’s influence on both his professional journey and personal life.
“As a tribute to the profound impact he has had on my career and life, I am going to name my 10-month-old son Victor Magak Awan Achiek,” Awan wrote.
He stated that he first met Keri in 2017 while undertaking journalism training at the Media Development Institute in Juba.
The following year, Keri hired him as a junior reporter at the Star Tribune Newspaper, where he received mentorship in news reporting and editing.
The Star Tribune ceased operations in March 2019 because of financial constraints. Keri later became Editor-in-Chief of Agro-Newsletter, where Achiek said he continued to benefit from his mentorship and was appointed Managing Editor in 2020 before the publication also closed due to financial difficulties.
Achiek stressed that Keri’s influence extended beyond his newsroom work, noting that the veteran journalist encouraged him to write a book documenting the origins and history of the Aliab community.
He also credited Keri with documenting the 1919 Dinka Aliab uprising against British colonial rule.
The two recently met at the University of Juba, where Keri lectures in the School of Journalism, Media and Communication Studies.
According to Achiek, he used the occasion to purchase Keri’s book, Mass Media in Sudan: Experience of the South from 1940–2005, which is sold for SSP 70,000.
He also recommended the book to journalism, mass communication and media students, describing it as an important source on the history and development of media in Sudan and South Sudan.
