Bernard Fonlon facts for kids
Bernard Nsokika Fonlon (born November 19, 1924 – died August 27, 1986) was an important person from Cameroon. He was a politician and also worked a lot in education. He is well-known for helping to make Cameroon a country where people speak two main languages: English and French. This is called bilingualism.
Bernard Fonlon's Early Life and Schooling
Bernard Fonlon was born in a place called Kumbo Nso in Cameroon on November 19, 1924. He started his first school years at a Catholic School.
Later, in 1940, he went to Christ The King College in Onitsha, Anambra. He then studied Philosophy and Theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary, also in Anambra State.
He loved learning and traveled to Dublin, Ireland, in 1954. There, he earned a Master's degree in Literature from the University of Ireland Dublin. In 1961, he received his PhD in Literature from Sorbonne University in Paris, France.
His Career and Work
Bernard Fonlon started his career as a teacher in 1940 and 1941. He believed strongly that different parts of Cameroon should come together.
Because of this, he returned home to help with politics. He worked as an advisor to the former Cameroonian President Ahidjo. In 1964, he became the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He continued to serve his country in important roles. In 1968, he became the Minister of Transportation, Post & Telecommunications.
In 1972, Fonlon became a Professor of Literature at the University of Yaounde in Cameroon. He also became the head of the Literature Department there.
As an education expert, Fonlon wrote several books. These books often focused on language and education. Some of his works include:
- A case of early Bilingualism (1963)
- Will we make or mar (1964)
- To every son of Yusuf Amuda Gobir Nso (1965)
- Under the sign of the rising sun (1965)
- The task of the day (1966)
Later Life and Passing
Bernard Fonlon was a big supporter of bilingualism, which means speaking two languages. He believed it was very important for Cameroon.
He retired from his work in 1985. Sadly, he passed away on August 27, 1986, while he was traveling in Canada.
