French To Be Part Of UTME As From 2014

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu
Rufa'I, said on Thursday in Abuja that French
would be part of the Unified Tertiary
Matriculation Examination (UTME) as from
2014 for interested candidates.
Rufa'I said this at farewell reception held in
honour of the French Language Project
Manager, Mr Jean-Phillipe Roy.
She said that being multi-lingual in the 21st
Century was essential as it helps individuals to
operate more effectively in the international
community.
"For Nigeria, the study of French language is
quite key, considering the fact that our
neighbouring countries are French-speaking.
"Apart from the English Language, French
Language is one of the major international
languages," she said.
She said Roy came to Nigeria in 2009 under
the 2nd Bilateral Agreement between Nigeria
and French.
The minister noted that he had worked hard
to ensure that various components of the
project received due attention.
Rufa'I lauded his contributions to the reform
of the UTME for 2014 in addition to the
scholarships awarded to 16 teachers of French
Language to study in France for one month.
She said the project manager's contributions,
included supply of books to schools, award of
Masters Degree in French as a Foreign
Language and supply of DVD and CD player to
the project office, among others.
The minister lauded the support of the French
Government to the Nigerian French Language
Village, Badagry, Lagos, the Regional Network
of French Language centres in Africa.
She also commended the Association of
French Language Teachers, and noted s the
proposed handing over of the project vehicle
to the ministry for the monitoring of the
teaching and learning of the Lanaguage.
"Nigeria and France have come a long way in
their relationship. It is a relationship built on
mutual respect, cooperation and interest.
"I wish to assure you that the ministry will
continue to be committed to the teaching and
learning of French Language in Nigeria and
sustenance of the cordial relationship," she
said.
She called on the French Government to
introduce similar programmes to complement,
sustain and consolidate the achievements
made so far.
Responding, Roy lauded the collaboration
between the Federal Government and the
French Government.
"Since I have been here, you have shown a lot
of interest in what we have been trying to do
in terms of decision-making in critical issues
and, with your help, we have been able to
keep the project on the right track.
He said that French Government had so far
organised 160 training sessions in various
parts of the country, adding that 4,290 people
participated in the programme.
Roy called for continued collaboration
between the Nigerian Government and the
French Government.
In his remarks, the Counsellor of French
Cultural Affairs, Mr Patrick Perez, stressed the
need to sustain good relationship between the
two countries.
"We will like to thank you for all your efforts to
promote French Language in Nigeria and we
hope that this collaboration will continue to
grow from strength to strength," he said.
[NAN]