Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said that public secondary schools in the state will be mandated to include French language in their respective curricular.
Besides, he said that all members of the state executive council would henceforth be exposed to training in French language.
The governor made this disclosure while receiving the French Consular-General, Mr. Francois Sastourne, who led his team on a courtesy visit to him at the Governor's Office.
This, he said, had become necessary in order to create avenue for the sharing of cultural experiences and activities with the French community and to widen the level of interaction between the people of the state and the neighboring countries most of which are French-speaking.
The governor said his administration would network with the French Consular-General to ensure that the French language training among members of the state executive council and in public secondary schools was made a reality.
In his response, the Consular-General said his visit was to promote economic cooperation between Oyo State and his home government.
He also emphasized the importance of French language to Nigerians, considering the fact that Nigeria is surrounded by French-speaking countries.
