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Language no barrier to Franco-Nigeria relations – Ambassador
Mr Jean-Michel Dumond, the French ambassador to Nigeria, says language poses no barrier to existing bilateral relations between France and Nigeria.
He said at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum on Sunday in Abuja that relations between the two countries had improved because of considerable efforts made by Nigerians to learn the French language.
“I am not too sure that language is a barrier. I can communicate with the English language. I try to speak a little of English, and we know that there are many Nigerians learning French presently,’’ he said.
The ambassador noted that the learning of the French language had gained tremendous acceptance in Nigeria, adding that there would soon be many teachers of the language across the country.
“In many places, French is taught in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria, and I have signed with the Minister of Education in the summer of 2008 a programme for the training of approximately 6,000 teachers who teach French language in Nigeria.
“We have three centres for French teaching and documentation which are based in Enugu for the South-East, Ibadan for South-West and Jos in the north.
“There are regular sessions where professors from the primary level, secondary level, the university and in Badagry, the French Village, are taught to learn how to teach the French language in the best possible conditions,’’ he said.
Dumond said he was confident that the target of having about 6,000 well-trained French language teachers would soon be realised.
“In one year and a half, almost two years since the summer of 2008, we have already been able to train 2,500 professors.
“We hope that by the end of the programme, which I am sure will be renewed, we would have been able to train the 6,000 teachers of French language in Nigeria,’’ he said.
The ambassador said interest in learning the language had also increased, with 15,000 regular French language learners to complement the availability of learning opportunities.
“I can see that there is a real interest in French language. We have also a network of learning places, like the Alliance Francaise all over the territory of Nigeria, approximately 13.
“We have 15,000 students who regularly come to this Alliance Francaise schools to learn French. I think the situation is improving,’’ he said.
Dumond said French educational institutions had been awarding scholarships to Nigerians, not only to learn French, but to study other courses, adding that there were many Nigerian students in France .
“We award scholarships but not only to study French, but in all disciplines. Remember it is for the time being limited, because of the barrier of the language.
“But we have officially 135 Nigerian students in French universities. I mean officially because we know that there are some who come also on private basis in French universities,’’ he said.
The ambassador, however, promised to ensure an improvement in educational relations between the two countries.
“I will make efforts to make the French universities better known in Nigeria and ensure that more students would be able to go to France for studies,’’ he said.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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