The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) is to establish a French Club to help staff sustain the language skills they acquired during a three-month training programme.
The Director-General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, announced the initiative at the closing ceremony of the first phase of the programme in Abuja.
He explained that the club would give participants opportunities to practice French through conversations, presentations, discussions and cultural activities.
Professor Sulaiman emphasized that the french activities will remain effective physically and virtually to encourage regular use of the language beyond the classroom.
According to him, the initiative had become necessary as NILDS expands its engagements with French-speaking countries and institutions.
He said stronger French language skills would improve communication and support the institute’s regional and international engagements.
The NILDS Director-General also commended the French-speaking members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who facilitated the training.
He described the programme as mutually beneficial, saying it allowed NILDS staff to acquire a new skill while giving the corps members the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise.
ECOWAS Commission
Representing the Director of Conference and Protocol at the ECOWAS Commission, Olukemi Afabuh, Conference Interpreter Ekereobong Akuboh said French proficiency could give Nigerians an advantage when seeking opportunities in regional and international organisations.
She noted that French is one of the working languages of ECOWAS and urged the participants to continue practicing the as its proficiency could also help candidates stand out in international organisations, particularly when applicants have similar professional qualifications.
NYSC DG
Also speaking a Director in the NYSC Chukwu Chinwendu representing the Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, commended NILDS for allowing corps members deploy their skills beyond their conventional responsibilities.
He described the French programme as an example of how young Nigerian graduates can contribute to institutional development through knowledge-sharing and professional service.
Earlier, the Acting Director Department of Training and International Cooperation at NILDS, Joke Akinsanmi encouraged young corps members to always share their ideas, develop their skills and make meaningful contributions wherever they are deployed.
She also praised the NILDS leadership for creating an environment where corps members can develop their abilities, learn from mistakes and contribute to the growth and development of the institute.
Participants reflect on French training
Some of the participant, such as Christabel Ukko, said the programme helped her learn basic French phrases and grammar. “I can now introduce myself using French language, discuss work activities and family life”.
Another participant, Jamila Abdul, said her interest in French motivated her to join the programme and move beyond the basic expressions she learnt in secondary school.
“The training covered greetings, numbers, colours, days of the week, months, grammar as well as everyday vocabulary relevant to the workplace and other settings”.
She thanked Professor Sulaiman and the programme coordinators for providing the training free of charge and for their patience throughout the three-month training period.
NYSC facilitators share experience
The NYSC facilitators, Princess Onyebuchi and Precious Edma, who are first-class graduates of French and Literary Studies were deployed to NILDS as corps members.
They affirmed that the programme gave them an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge while gaining experience in legislative and administrative work.
The facilitators said teaching participants from different professional backgrounds required them to adapt their approach and relate lessons to the participants’ areas of work.
Editing by Julian Osamoto
