Kpagh, Michael Tsavbeeh
Department of French,
College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State.
+2347036821692
Email: mikekpagh@gmail.com
Abstract
Language is a basic requirement and an indispensable tool to solve
security problems in human society. It has been noticed that nothing can be achieved in any part of the world without effective use of language. Language is instrumental to our social interactions in all ramifications. Nigeria as an Anglophone country is bordered by the francophone countries to the north, east and west with seventeen (17) out of the thirty-six (36) states sharing borders with the four countries. For a good working relationship and productive communication with francophone neighbours, the Nigerian populace especially the security agencies require a good knowledge of French language. This article examines the brief history of French language education in Nigeria and the security challenges bedeviling Nigeria. The article also x-rays the role of French language Education to solve the security challenges in Nigeria. With the recent spate in insurgency and terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of security threats in the country, French language in particular, should be considered as a tool for enhanced security and maintenance of peace. The article suggests among others a compulsory learning of French language by the Nigerian armed forces and other security agencies and concludes that the importance of French language within the context of operations cannot be over emphasized.
Keywords: French, language, education, security challenges, armed
forces.
