The Rivers State
Government says it will host the 2014 National French Competition for Secondary School students in the country later this year.
The Commissioner for Education, Rivers State, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi stated this while welcoming the Director of Alliance Française, Port Harcourt, Mrs Helen Okutue and the executive members of Nigerian Association of French Teachers (NAFT), in her office in Port Harcourt.
The commissioner hinted that the State will partner with the Alliance Francaise and the National Association of  French Teacher, NAFT, to ensure smooth hosting of the competition in Rivers State.
Dame Lawrence-Nemi said that French language is very important to the State,  adding that the world is becoming a global village and the need to embrace another foreign language was necessary. ‘’French is very important because we cannot live with only one language, globally with what is going on now every child  deserves to learn a second language.
Rivers State is very traditional in the sense that French has been a language our teachers teach in our schools, and on behalf of Rivers State, we will partner with you to enable us host the National French Competition in the State’’, stated she.
The commissioner stated that  Port Harcourt is the hub of oil and gas business in West Africa, stressing that the study of the language will boost trade among our French speaking neighbours.
The education boss noted that French multinationals like Total E&P, Air France, have partnered with the ministry in the development of education in the State.
Dame Lawrence-Nemi also said that the State is not only building infrastructures but has laid emphasis on the study of French language.
She pointed out that the state government is not relegating indigenous languages in the State and  hinted that the ministry has drafted the curriculum for the study of indigenous languages in the State.
‘’His Excellency ensured that not only foreign languages are being taught in our schools but local languages too. He ensured that Ogoni, Ekpeye, among others, saying we have done a curriculum for that and we are teaching our children so that we do not lose our mother tongue.”
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Barr Michael West said the French language is very important to the State because “we have to give our children the competitive edge in a globalised world.”
The Director, Alliance Francaise in Port Harcourt, Mrs Helene Okutue commended the commissioner  for organising the French Teachers’ workshop in September 2013.
Mrs Helen Okutue said the training was fruitful because the teachers are more confident in the teaching of French Language to the students.
She pleaded with the commissioner to make this training  a yearly exercise for the French teachers in the State, adding that the ministry can even increase the training to two times in a year.
The Director  also said that Rivers State has won the bid to host the 2014 National French Competition for Secondary School students.
She stated that Rivers State won the bid because of their two previous victories in the drama competition.
The President National Association of French Teachers (NAFT), Rivers State Chapter, Mrs Sarah Blackduke, commended the Rivers State Government for their investment in the education sector.

Coordinator, Birabi Memorial Project Group (BMPG), Comrade Christian Lekia (right), conferring with the president, National Union of Khana Students (RSUST), Comrade Legborsi Yanaabana (middle), President, National Union of Rivers South East Students (NURSES), Comrade Atuma Brown (left), during Birabi memorial project group celebration at BMGS, Bori last Friday.