Prof. Diipo Kolawole, FNITI, MNAL, the Director / CEO of the Nigeria French Language Village on Tuesday, led Principal Officers of the Inter-University Centre, on a courtesy visit to the Lagos State House of Assembly. The purpose was to familiarize with the Assembly through the representatives of the host community, Hon. (Engr.) Setonji David, Deputy Chief Whip representing Badagry Constituency II and Hon. Solomon Bonu, Ph D, representing Badagry Constituency I, in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Considering the law-makers as critical stakeholders in the development of the Nigeria French Language Village, the visit underscored the institution’s commitment to strengthening relationships with key government officials and fostering collaboration for institutional growth. It is necessary to state that the site occupied by the institution in Ajara is in the jurisdiction of Hon. Setonji David, Badagry Constituency II while its permanent site in Irosu, Badagry West, LCDA is in Constituency II, at the jurisdiction of Hon. Solomon Bonu. The delegation was received in the Office of the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Setonji David.
In his welcome address, Hon. (Engr.) Setonji David warmly received the delegation on behalf of Rt. Hon. Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the entire Legislators. He reaffirmed his cordial relationship with the Nigeria French Language Village and pledged his continued support. He further expressed his strong desire to see NFLV finally secure its permanent site located in Irosu, Badagry West Local Council Development Area while acknowledging the challenges encountered so far. In his words, “Badagry remains a hospitable community, an attribute common to Lagosians in general, and external interference will not hinder the progress of the institution, which consistently promotes Badagry on a national scale”. He assured the delegation that his office would give the support necessary to the Nigeria French Language Village to ensure the signing of its Enabling Act into Law as he promised to work as a team with Hon. Solomon Bonu, Hon. Sesi Whingan, member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Senator Idiat Adebule representing Lagos West Senatorial District and some contacts close to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to address the lingering issues militating against the signing of NFLV Enabling Act into law.
Hon. David also assured the Management of the Assembly’s readiness to collaborate with the institution in addressing its challenges of recurring perennial flooding. “We love you and appreciate your contributions. Share with us the areas where you need assistance and we will be glad to help,” he stated.
In his remarks, Hon. Solomon Bonu equally expressed delight in receiving Prof. Kolawole and his team at the Lagos State House of Assembly in company of Hon. Setonji David who he fondly referred to as his senior colleague and big brother. He addressed the demand for adequate compensation by the indigenes of Irosu and the neighbouring villages whose land have been acquired by the Lagos State Government to serve as the permanent site for French Village. While acknowledging that the benefits of situating a tertiary institution in a community are enormous, he advised the Nigeria French Language Village to initiate move to facilitate compensation to land owners. He equally suggested ways of improving the finances of the Centre to include diversifying its academic offerings by introducing additional courses to broaden its scope and increase patronage. Both Law makers emphasized the need for the Nigeria French Language Village to consider Badagry indigenes in employment slots especially at middle and top management levels in order for the institution to enjoy cooperation and continued support of the host community.
Responding on behalf of the institution, Prof. Kolawole expressed profound gratitude to the lawmakers for the warm reception stating that it is customary for a new administration to pay visits to major stakeholders. He appreciated the law makers’ past support and acknowledged that some of the institution’s pressing needs had already been mentioned by Hon. David. He equally expressed warm greetings of the institution’s Governing Council led by Alh. Labiru Musa Kafur, mni, to His Excellency, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Legislators, led by Rt. Hon, Dr, Mudashiru Obasa.
The Director / CEO formally appealed for legislative support to secure a legally binding document for the institution’s permanent site to ensure the timely release of the land. He equally requested support for infrastructural development and the provision of solar energy possibly through constituency projects, to reduce the institution’s reliance on diesel-powered generators, which has placed significant strain on its finances. In addition, he expressed concern about Badagrians not taking full advantage of the Nigeria French Language Village to be proficient in French Language, thereby losing out in the opportunities attached to such benefit. He informed the Legislators of the Governing Council’s willingness to pay courtesy visit to his Excellency, the Governor, and pleaded with the Legislators to facilitate the visit.
The hosts promised to encourage their constituents to enroll for French courses in French Village ant to give full supports to the institution’s requests.
