A multilingual advocate, Ms Somto Asibelua, asserts that speaking different languages can help people and countries connect with people from different countries.
Consequently, she says collaborating with other nations to find lasting solutions to the country’s problems is a good way to explore.
Asibelua, an alumnae of a France-based school, Ecole de Roche, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos, on the sidelines of a cocktail organised for the alumni of the school.
She advised Nigerians to desist from “every man for himself” syndrome.
She also said there were great advantages in learning different languages and these would help foster positive change.
“As a Nigerian who learned the French Language, it is great opportunity, because one thing we lack in Africa is unity; it is every man for himself, every country for himself.
“So, I, speaking a different language has helped me to connect with people from different countries.
“I believe in that way, we will be able to find and foster solutions to Nigeria’s problems, and we should not think every man for himself, but collaborate more.
“That is what I feel learning other languages has made me to do, to collaborate more for a better Nigeria, “ she said.
The advocate also said that promotion of French education, and other languages in Nigeria could help in addressing unemployment.
According to her, it is an opportunity for creating jobs that enables people to do those jobs with other African countries.
“Working together with other countries allows room for collaboration; though, it is not a major solution to addressing unemployment in the country.
“However, it can make a difference,’’ Asibelua told NAN.
Speaking, the Head of Ecole de Roche, Mr Ivor Gemmell, described Nigeria as an interesting market and opportunity to excel as a people.
According to him, there is a lot that Nigeria can learn from France and vice versa.
“Rigour is one of the things we will always see in the French system: there is always a lot of that.
“There are loads of opportunities to have and do cultural activities as well, which is something that is fantastic for Nigerian children.
“We have also got quite a lot of monuments and we happen to be very close to Normandy beaches so from a historical point of view there is lot to learn there.
“I know that there is a lot of different art from what we see in Europe here in Nigeria, and that is something the students can express and convey to their friends, “ Gemmell said.
Also, the Secrétaire Général of the school, Mr Stéphane Royo, said that values of respect for people, which was the basis of Nigeria was exactly the values of the school.
“We are an English school in France with big value; we started in 1899 and now we are very happy to be here in Nigeria to show that we have different possibilities.
“We have the International Baccalaureate in English and French, and this is a very big advantage.
“The motto of the young people is the language, to communicate together
“Also, if someone leaves Ecole de Roche and can speak English, French, Chinese, Arabic, Russia, it is a success for us, “ Royo said.
In his remarks, a participant and father of the advocate, Mr Nero Asibelua, said that the advent of English Language in Nigeria was eroding the importance of the country’s local languages.
He said that a great percentage of children in Nigeria, currently, could not speak their local languages.
“However, there are more than over 200 languages in Nigeria, yet they are not spoken and becoming extinct.
“So, instead of us speaking French, Portuguese or Italian, why do we not include our local languages in our school curriculum?.
“Make it compulsory that children should speak in their local languages; it is very important for the future of Nigeria, “ Asibelua said.
(NAN)
