Why Nigeria Needs a College for French Studies–Prof. Bashir Sambo
POLITICS DIGEST – Renowned philanthropist and french scholar, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, in consideration of the dire need to encourage students to study French language in Nigeria, and as a matter of necessity for better relations with our Francophone neighboring countries, took a bold step in reviving the foreign language.
He recently sponsored 50 undergraduates students into the French Department of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) from their 100-level to their final year as BUK students.
Prof. Gwarzo’s uncommon philanthropic gesture was highly commended by Pof. Bashir Mohammad Sambo, the first Hausa native speaker that became a Professor of French in Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview with Politics Digest, Prof. Bashir, stressed the need to mainstream the study of the French language into Nigeria’s education curriculum, as a compulsory subject from elementary to senior secondary level.
Read the full interview below:
Who is Bashir Mohammed Sambo?
My name is Bashir Mohammed Sambo. I was born and brought up in Dafawa town of Wudil Local Government Area of Kano state.
And I am the first Hausa native speaker to become a Professor of French in Nigeria.
I did my primary and secondary school studies in French and obtained my BAN, BANA, and Ph.D. all in the French language from the University of Maiduguri.
I also graduated with first class honours during my first degree in French, which served as a prelude to be honored with a prize and shook hands with the late Emir of Kano Alh. Ado Bayero, who was then the Chancellor of the University.
By virtue of my accomplishment in the French language, I am confident to report that French is just like a mother tongue to me, even though I started learning Hausa, Arabic, French, and English as the fourth language.
You are the first Hausa native speaker to attain the highest academic pinnacle in French, how would you describe the relevance and importance of the French language in our society?
First of all, if you look at all the countries surrounding Nigeria, they are French-speaking countries.
Therefore, whenever you leave Nigeria, the first thing that you’ll encounter is French and the problem one may face if he/she doesn’t speak French is that one that cannot be emphasized, particularly in areas of diplomatic engagement with French officials.
Though, sometimes they speak English but they are very jealous of their language and this could jeopardize your relationship with them.
It was learned that there is competition among students in trooping to apply and study languages in Universities such as Hausa, Arabic, and English but the case is very rare when applied to studying French. Looking at its relevance and importance what is your call?
My call here is that students have to be enlightened on the importance of French on a global scale, and in terms of the number of speakers, having being in a second position though sometimes Spanish used to be the second as the ranking fluctuates.
In addition, it is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the the European Union.
Furthermore, if you go back to history, French colonized Britain for over 300 years, and even in middle English, over 60 percent of the words are French words which made it to be a very important language in the world.
The problem of students trooping to study other languages in place of French is because French language is not taught at the primary school level and even at the secondary school it is only in junior classes and it stops there.
Another problem is that French is not compulsory at the senior secondary level and you will find out that those who are good in French are also good at sciences and once they move to senior classes they will no longer learn it again.
If you go to the Francophone countries, English is taught right from elementary to senior classes and its compulsory. The main problem here in Nigeria the government is not giving enough support as required.
You have lamented that Nigerian Government is not giving enough support to the study of French in Nigeria despite its importance and economic advantage. But recently, we heard that a philanthropist, Prof. Adamu Gwarzo, sponsored 50 students to study French in Bayero University, Kano (BUK). What is your take and your call to other philanthropists?
First of all I must commend Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo for his rare and uncommon gesture. Prof. Gwarzo have seen the situation as he was always going round to Universities and decide to sponsor 50 students to study the language at Bayero University, Kano.
This will indeed and inevitably encourage our kids to learn. I also call on other wealthy individuals in Kano and Nigeria at large to emulate his feet in promoting the system for the common good of the populace.
Furthermore, Prof. Gwarzo told me himself that he is planning to come up with a College that will train and certify students in French to continue promoting the course for the social and economic well-being of all.
This has not come as a surprise owing to his track record of initiating anything good that will bring development to the people.
