Nigerian journalists have been urged to acquire basic training in French Language which will enable them to explore lucrative opportunities in French establishments at home and abroad.
The Director of Maison TV5Monde, Lagos , Mr. Eric koufedji gave the advise at a two- day journalism training programme for
French students in the University of Lagos, UNILAG.
MAISON TV5MOND, which is a French language and cultural centre in the Department of French, UNILAG, organised the programme as part of activities making the 2023 World Radio Day.
It was also aimed at exposing some of the French students to the basics of journalism.
In his remark, Mr. koufedji said the fact that Nigeria is surrounded by French speaking countries makes it necessary for Nigerians to be interested in learning French.
Mr. Eric koufedji who welcomed the participants and urged them to make maximum use of the training, expressed his unflinching commitment to the spreading of the French Language in Nigeria.
He said, ”The objective of the programme is to promote the World Radio Day. Maison TV5Mond organised the event in collaboration with two journalists from two different media houses”.
One of the facilitators, Tosin Adeyemi, a producer and anchor at News Central TV, who advised the participants to continuously improve themselves, said taking professional programmes would be a wise decision to be more successful in the media industry.
On his part, another facilitator, Innocent Onoh from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigerian, FRCN, challenged the participants to aim to be the best , adding that every journalist must development his or herself to be extraordinary in order to succeed in the present day media industry.
According Onoh to be a good journalist, one must have good writing skills, be critical in thinking, have the hunger for news, possess the burning desire to tell good stories, among other qualities.
The first day of the training programme which was as held at the Maison TV5Mond centre, in UNILAG focused mainly on theory, with the participants demonstrating strong commitment towards learning.
