EJIGBO: A French-speaking community in Osun, Nigeria.

 

EJIGBO: A French-speaking community in Osun, Nigeria.

 

The ancestors of many of the immigrants lived in the West African country for more than 100 years.

The fourth or fifth generation of these immigrants today is common in Cote d'Ivoire, and many of them answer to Ivorian names because they were born and bred there. While most of them are fluent in French, only a few of them can speak English.

Surprisingly, however, most of them can speak Yoruba perfectly.

Most of them do business, shuttling between Lagos and Abidjan. They go to Lagos and other parts of Nigeria to buy goods that they take to Abidjan to sell. Some of them also try to maintain a connection with their origin by sending their children to Nigeria to get an education so that they can speak English in addition to French.

 

According to research, the first group of immigrants from Ejigbo moved to Cote d'Ivoire in 1902 and settled in Treichville, a suburb of Abidjan named Marcel Treich-Laplène (1860-1890), a Frenchman who was the first research. of Cote d'Ivoire and the first colonial administrator.

 

Historically, before Cote d'Ivoire was discovered as a trading center, Ejigbo migrants settled in the Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana.

 

It is said that they traded in household items such as 'kita' (originally worn by the royal family or nobles on special occasions) and crops, since the main occupations of the Ejigbo people are farming and hunt.

 

Currently, there is also a direct commercial bus service from Ejigbo to many French African countries. This sometimes leads to illegal human trafficking from Ejigbo to Cote D'Ivoire.

 

In order to curb the proliferation of illegal human trafficking, the Osun state government under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in 2014, established the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) center in Ejigbo.

 

The former governor said that the approval of the camp is based on the regular migration of the people of the town and the need to look at how the people are fleeing to the neighboring countries without any profit because looking for pastures.

 

He noted that every house in Ejigbo region has immigrants in Cote d'Ivoire, because they are doing this to help each other to develop.

 

Salam believes that the departure and return point of Abidjan buses is in Ejigbo because most of the natives are in the transport business.

 

As a result, many people who go to Abidjan, Togo and other West African countries have made Ejigbo their favorite destination. He noted that the buses depart on Sundays and return to Ejigbo next week.

 

Sometimes I wonder if Nigerians know that English is not the only language spoken in our country Nigeria. I wonder how many citizens know that in 1996, the late General Sani Abacha declared French as the second language in Nigeria. I have recently read in some of our national newspapers, debates and responses to the announcement made by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah. Some respondents argued that learning a second official language is unnecessary and a waste of time.

It may interest Nigerians to note that the statement made by the Minister during his meeting with the French Ambassador that "French is on its way to becoming Nigeria's second language" is not news at all. Officially, French has been the second official language in this country for the past 19 years. It has also been made "compulsory" in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools across the country. French is also taught at the higher education level in the country.

 

Nigerians should not ignore the idea that there is no benefit in making French the second official language; events collided with that. What is most important for us to know at the moment is the importance of two languages ​​or many languages; that is to have a good knowledge of at least two world languages. While other neighboring countries have at least two international languages ​​as their official languages, others have three to four. Nigeria must follow its peers in the field of bilingualism, which undoubtedly has many advantages.

We must understand that being bilingual has a positive effect on our intellectual development and enhances our intellectual development. According to Nanduti (2009), "being bilingual opens the door to other cultures and helps one understand and appreciate people from other countries." I assure you that our political leaders will have good interactions and will exchange good knowledge with their French counterparts without translators if they have knowledge of French and English. Nanduti also affirmed that being bilingual increases job opportunities in many professions where knowing another language is a real advantage.

Nigerians will broaden their horizons in the world of work with more international languages ​​such as French, which is the third most spoken language in the world. Many international companies, such as Total, Exxon Mobil, Air France and KLM advertise from time to time for employees with special skills including the ability to speak either French and English or English and German. The lack of these skills poses a major challenge to Nigerian applicants who are limited in their knowledge of English.

Ludwig Wittgenstein clearly stated: "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." This only means that we are limited to the world whose language we can speak. Therefore, while the different world languages ​​that we learn, will increase our understanding of economics and politics. Being bilingual can give a person the ability to control any situation they find themselves in by being able to easily switch from one world language to the other.

 

This reminds me of the first time I tried to get a visa. I went to the embassy at that time in Onikan Abayomi but I could not even see the color of the door because of the number of people I met there. On the third day, I decided to use my knowledge of French to part with the red sea of ​​applicants who had already filled the door since 7.30 in the morning. So, I straightened my shirt, held my head high, and confidently approached the crowd as they spoke and sang French. What surprised me, the people left me to pass; they clearly thought I was one of the embassy staff. I continued until I reached the door where I introduced myself to the Frenchman in his language and the doors were opened for me and I walked in with dignity. Who said language is not power?

We can all benefit from French as I have, if we all take it seriously. Making French the second official language in Nigeria should be more than just a document or speech. The Federal Government should provide implementation and monitoring measures to ensure that the language is learned and spoken by at least 80 percent of Nigerians within the next five years. Having French studies in the curriculum should also be followed up with frequent reviews by Nigerian French pedagogues to closely monitor the various schools. Sanctions should be imposed on the schools that are in the wrong.

 

In our African countries, such as Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt, the French language is compulsory from the age of two to the age of 18. Nigeria can also adopt this system of teaching the French language from kindergarten to the general school. at the university level. It should also be made one of the prerequisites for obtaining a bachelor's degree into Nigerian universities. With all these, the average Nigerian in the next five years will improve their knowledge of the French language. French programs should be promoted on radio and television throughout the country.

As the saying goes: charity begins at home. Political leaders, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and others should be encouraged to take French lessons for one hour, at least twice a week. This will motivate the followers to commit to learning the language.

Knowing the success or failure of a project or dream is the ability to take the first step to achieve it. Therefore, I am using this platform to appeal to Professor Anthony Anwukah, the Minister of Education, to put words into action and make himself competent in the field of education by implementing the declaration of French in 1996 as the second official language . Nigeria.