News
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.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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