French Language as a Major Factor in the Development of Enugu State of Nigeria

Abstract

The linguistic apparatus of a people is in no small way one of the determinants of what they achieve on developmental issues. This is not only limited to their own local language or dialects but the extent to which they embrace other languages of international standard like French. Enugu state, as the unofficial headquarters of the south-eastern part of Nigeria, has shown an open hand for meaningful investors who sometimes come armed with a wonderful linguistic tool. Thus, the Alliance française of France came at a time when Nigerians were thirty for a new linguistic escapade to embellish the country's land border operations with their neighboring francophone countries; Benin republic, Togo, Cameroun, Ivory Coast, Gabon, etc. Hence the establishment of Alliance française in the country and Enugu state as a French language institute in 1959. In light of the foregoing, the researchers have come up with their biggest question: How has the entrance of French language aided in the development of Enugu State? The responses to the problem would be accompanied by an empirical research that provides, to an extent, the claims of some of the Enugu residents. This question made the researchers observe that since many Enugu residents were of the opinion that studying French has helped in boosting their Academic profiles, overcoming some immigration difficulties, and linking them with the outside world for business purposes, undoubtedly, it becomes clear that the coming of French language in Enugu has done more good than harm because it has helped in human development which according to the research stands out as the best form of development on earth. Finally, the research is an addition to the already researched works on the effects of French language studies on Igbo States, especially Enugu, which serves to a great extent as the epicenter of the Igbo nation.