Speeches and meaningful banners paid homage to the First Lady during her stay in Douala.

"Her presence signifies joy. Her smile depicts care and generosity". This is how inhabitants of Douala and its environs characterised Cameroon's First Lady, Mrs Chantal Biya's presence yesterday November 14 at the Economic Capital, Douala as she accompanied her husband to lay the foundation stone for the construction of a second bridge on River Wouri. During the crowd-pulling event, the numerous humanitarian activities of the First Lady were brought to the limelight through speeches and banners.

Mrs Chantal Biya's presence in Douala could not be overlooked, given the humanitarian gestures she has carried out in the area through her association; the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC) and the Pan African Non Governmental Organisation: the African Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering in which she is the Founding President. As the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntonè Ntonè, took to the rostrum to welcome dignitaries who had come to witness the event seen as a great symbol of unity in the country, he also paid a special homage to Cameroon's First Lady whose humanitarian actions have gone beyond the borders of the country.

Fritz Ntonè Ntonè said not only the vulnerable people in Douala and its environs have benefitted from the generous actions of the First Lady through associations that she founded, but that she has extended such actions to all the nooks and crannies of the country. According to the Government Delegate, the population of Douala extended words of appreciation and gratitude to the First Lady for her concern towards the needy.

On behalf of the elite of the Littoral Region, the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso, extended the joy of the people in the region for welcoming Mrs Biya amongst them. Minister Laurent Esso said the recent donation of CERAC members towards pupils in the Douala V Subdivision was still fresh in the memories of the population. In fact, last October 26, CERAC rehabilitated and equipped the Government Primary Practising School, Bonamoussadi which was created in 1986.

Majority of the school building was dilapidated and equipment out of date. On behalf of the elite, Laurent Esso said the goodwill gesture of CERAC to the community of Wouri V will forever be engraved in the minds of the population. The elite of Littoral Region told the First Lady; "Thank you for your kind gestures, you are welcome at home in Douala." A delegation of CERAC members in the Littoral Region was visibly present at the event with a special gift for their president "Maman Chantal".