In its quest to boost the quality of education available to our teeming Nigerian youths, Black Heritage Show Foundation, a nongovernmental organization has donated French books to five schools in Lagos which teach French Language.

The beneficiary schools include; Nic-Runnic Nursery and Primary School, Ojo, Holy Blessing Nursery and Primary School, Abule Egba, Queen Diana International, Nursery and Primary School, Oja-Oba, Chik Montessori Nursery and Primary School, Oja-Oba and A&T Nursery and Primary Schools, Agege.

Speaking at the book presentation to A&T Nursery and Primary Schools, Agege, Mr Louis Coyo who represented the Chairman of the Foundation, Rev Fr Francis Okpara said the gesture was born out of passion to promote French Language among students who are interested in the subject but lack basic fundamental books to grow. “We gave to these selected schools because they gave premium to French Language,” he said.

According to him, a lot of children are language illiterates in Nigeria which will not help them to fully represent Nigeria in the nearest future. He lamented a situation where some of our diplomats travel to francophone countries and cannot address their audience in French Language. “This is a minus to us as a country,” he added. Some of these people in these smaller francophone countries who come to Nigeria, he noted, express themselves also in English, Nigerians should be able to do the same when they go there. These, he added, will enable us have a place in the comity of nations.

He said: “French and English are the Languages of communication in the United Nations as they are given premium above other languages in the world. Nigeria is surrounded by francophone countries, e.g. Benin Republic, Niger in the north and Cameroon has boundaries with Nigeria in the north and in the south. If we are surrounded by these countries and cannot speak their language, it is a problem.

“For example, during the problem of insurgency in Nigeria, the countries we sought for their help are the francophone countries. In the joint force who do you think will lead the force? It is those who can speak both languages. In the Nigeria army, how many of our people can speak French and English?

When there was a problem in Mali, Nigerian troops were sent there, it was not easy because we needed a general who could speak both English and French to lead the troop. Though it will take time to correct this, nevertheless, we want to start from somewhere.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Stella Ibeh, Head Teacher, A&T Nursery and Primary Schools who lauded the gesture of Black Heritage Foundation said, “It is a welcomed gift, because students have embraced French as a language.

French textbooks

The problems we have been having over the years in teaching of French Language is availability of teachers and French text books for students. Everybody claims to have studied French, but not everyone can teach French language. To have a foundation like this distributing French books to our students is a welcome idea and we applaud them for that.

We have about two French teachers in the school who are part time because they will never stay as full time heaping the reason on the pay. They rather shuttle from one school to another to earn more.

In order to help students make good use of the book, we shall form a French Reading Club for students.

Ibeh, however urged the federal government to take French Language seriously as they have taken other subjects. This, according to her will help students develop love for the subject especially those who are on training right now. French Language should be stroked with English Language since it is a lingua Franca, adding that it should be properly integrated into the Colleges of Education curriculum. The government should also provide them with the necessary materials. Just like children, if you want to attract a child into a particular subject, you use motivations. The federal government can motivate teachers not only in remuneration  but also in other areas. Certain percentage of our budget should be channel towards learning other languages by ensuring that the Nigeria French Language Village is supported to live up to their expectations.

The way Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa Languages have been given dominance, French Language should be given same premium too. Children are excited when it come to learning of French Language, they see it as a time for fun. We should encourage them by making it a compulsory subject in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.