By Simon Ateba
The number of Nigerians studying French language in the country is on the increase, the Director General of L’Alliance Française (French Alliance), Mr. Philippe Lebreton, has confirmed.
Lebreton, who addressed journalists in Lagos on Tuesday on the 50th anniversary of L‘Alliance Française Lagos and Le Lycée Français Louis Pasteur (Louis Pasteur French College), stated that there are now over 15, 000 Nigerians studying French language across the nation, with 4, 000 of them in Lagos State alone.
The number, according to Ms. Mfon Umana, the Director of Communication and Public Relations of L‘Alliance Française, represents an increase of about 30 percent over the past two years.
Umana told P.M.News on telephone this morning that in 2007, there were about 12, 000 Nigerians studying French language nationwide, adding “the number has been on the increase since then.”
Lebreton disclosed that there are now 10 Alliances Françaises in the country, out of 1, 000 worldwide. In Nigeria, he said, L‘Alliances Françaises are present in Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Maiduguri, Owerri, Enugu and Port Harcourt.
He added that the objective of L‘Alliance Francaise is to build friendship and understanding among different cultures and create a better environment for business and social interactions.
L‘Alliance Française Lagos was founded in 1959 and is the second oldest in Africa after that of Madagascar.
The President, L‘Alliance Francaise Lagos, Mr. Molade Okoya-Thomas, told journalists that about half the countries in Africa speak French Language and it would be an added advantage to speak and understand the language of ‘Moliere‘, the French writer and philosopher.
The occasion is being marked with a series of events, including music and dance performances and an exhibition.
Nigerian soul-jazz singer, Yinka Davies and saxophonist and vocalist, Seun Kuti, the youngest son of the late legendary Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, performed in a concert at Oceanview at Eko Hotel.
Comment