By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The director of Maison TV5Monde Lagos, Mr. Éric Koufedji called on public authorities and companies to pay attention to the study of the French language to enable young unemployed Nigerians to access job offers in foreign missions.
Koufedji revealed this during a briefing announcing the 30th anniversary celebration of TV5Monde Afrique, which is scheduled to launch from Friday, June 17 to July 31, 2022. He listed the highlights of the event, including entertainment, cultural attractions, karaoke would also feature a quiz competition. among selected schools in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Enugu, aimed to raise awareness of the importance of the French language.
He added: “Most English speaking countries must make the French language compulsory for non-elective students, French language certification is required in Nigeria except for those studying European/Linguistics in institutions of higher education.
According to him, increasing the study of the French language in Nigeria would not only improve relations between Nigeria and French-speaking countries, but would contribute to economic growth through job creation at home and abroad. from Nigeria.
He revealed that since French-speaking countries surrounded Nigeria, learning the French language would enable Nigerians to engage more in trade and connect with neighboring countries.
“Nigeria is surrounded by the French-speaking countries of Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Benin. France is always happy for people to learn French and we are always ready to try to help at the school and at the French Institute.
“There are many places across Nigeria where people can learn the French language and I hope this event will have a greater demand for the language from children and adults alike,” he said. declared.
Koufedji urged Nigerian students wishing to study abroad to also consider traveling to France to enable them to acquire more knowledge on the use of the French language or to UNILAG where TV5MONDE Afrique (Lagos) is located. .
”It is very important that we support the French language as this is the first time we have held this kind of celebration in Nigeria. This will help raise awareness and improve knowledge of the French language in Nigeria.
The director lamented the low penetration of the French language in Nigeria, which he attributed to the insufficient number of French teachers and the availability of reading materials in the country, adding that “TV5MONDE Afrique channel offers an educational program and entertaining that can promote Nigerian cultures using the French language to communicate it.”
“The language barrier is the problem, if Nigerian youths can be literate in French, they will get gainful employment. This is our own way of encouraging the French language in Nigeria and opening doors for our youth to that they meet the outside world,” she said.
While calling for better access to the language in Nigerian schools, Koufedji urged the government to make the language more attractive to teachers and students to help promote the language.
