'French to be part of UTME from 2014'

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu
Rufa'I, said on Thursday in Abuja that French
language would be part of the Unified
Tertiary Matriculation Examination as from
2014 for interested candidates, the News
Agency of Nigeria reports.
Rufa'I said this at a 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 second Bilateral Agreement between
Nigeria and French.
The minister noted that the French 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 Master's degree in French as a foreign
language and supply of DVD and CD player to
the project office.
The minister lauded the support of the
French Government to the Nigerian French
Language Village, Badagry, Lagos; and the
Regional Network of French Language centres
in Africa.
She also commended the Association of
French Language Teachers, and noted the
proposed handing over of the project vehicle
to the ministry for the monitoring of the
teaching and learning of the language.
"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.
Roy praised 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.

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