By Joe Dinga Pefok
The Consulate General of Nigeria in Douala, in charge of the Littoral and West Provinces, Friday, April 18, organised a farewell reception in honour of its outgoing Consul General, Gordon Harry Bristol, who has been promoted to the rank of ambassador.
Bristol is to serve as Nigerian Ambassador to France. Bristol would be remembered by the Nigerian community in Douala for his high sense of commitment in defending their interests, especially whenever any of them was in problems.
But Bristol leaves behind a rather strained relationship between the Consulate General and the Executive Bureau of the Nigerian Union in Douala, led by Chief Longinus Nwoke. Last year, he reportedly tried to replace Chief Nwoke with his own 'man', but The Post learned that the plot flopped.
Bristol, on sensing danger, had
quickly dropped the plan, while the purported 'new president'
disappeared from the scene. By the time of the farewell reception, the
Nigerian government was still to appoint a successor.
Foning Bounces Back
The Mayor of Douala V, Françoise Foning, who had maintained a rather low profile in public since the Douala V Council building was burned down during the February unrest, bounced back on April 16 talking tough. This was during the installation ceremony of a six-man Contract Award Committee for the Douala V Municipality, headed by Nathaniel Arrey Takor.
Speaking at the ceremony, Foning said her council was waxing strong. She announced a number of projects for execution in the coming months. She said the newly installed committee would soon be receiving tenders for the reconstruction of Douala V Council.
Foning had earlier promised an ultra-modern building for the council during her first mandate, but it was yet to be constructed. She admitted not having fulfilled most of the promises she made during her first mandate. "My first mandate was a period of apprenticeship, but this second mandate is a period of action.' Foning said.
Vigilance At May 20 Celebration
Littoral Governor, Francis Fai Yengo, has called on the forces of law and order and the population to exercise vigilance and ensure security before, during and after the upcoming National Day Celebrations on May 20. He was speaking at the first preparatory meeting for the 36th National Day celebration, which held at his Bonanjo office, Douala, on April 18.
Even though the Governor did not explain his urgent call for vigilance, observers believe that he fears there might be a plot to disrupt the Day's festivities. Meanwhile, ten committees were created for the celebration, with the Governor heading the Coordination Committee. The committees were tasked to submit their proposed budgets latest April 28.
Meeting On Street Children
An inter-provincial (Littoral and Southwest) workshop on street children opened on April 14, and was chaired by the Technical Adviser No. 1 in the Ministry of Social Affairs, with participants coming from Littoral and Southwest Provinces. Speeches and papers presented at the workshop centred on government's determination to curb the street children phenomenon and ways of fighting the ill.
It was revealed that Douala has the highest number of street children in the country. Being the economic capital, many people in rural areas hold the feeling that Douala is a paradise. However, despite the numerous workshops over the years, little has been done to curb the phenomenon.
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