#moodyshegsblog update: French to be part of UTME as from 2014 – Ruqayyatu Rufa’I

Abuja -  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.