French diplomat, UI VC tackle insecurity in Nigeria.

There is a veritable need to enhance the working capacity of the Nigerian security agencies with a view to addressing socio-political violence and insurgency based on workable and reliable data.
The Ambassador of France in Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. Jacques Champagne De Labroille, made this assertion during a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole in his office yesterday.

The University's Director of Public Communication, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, in a statement quoted the diplomat as saying "we are trying to help Nigeria in the area of development of raw materials which would be used legitimately by experts who are reliable in the area of fact-findings, reliability and data analyses. I must let you know that France is putting interest in these areas of raw material development and security, and that is the main reason why we are supporting your country to achieve the pulling down of insecurity in Nigeria."

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that the visit of the French Ambassador to the institution was auspicious and timely in the history of "our country, as we are going through a phase of bad development."

Prof. Adewole added that "our country must gladly engage the French-speaking countries, if we really want to maintain security for the citizenry. I believe that creating a long-term security should be our main concern just as the initiative of our President was so strategic, having recently visited France."

Emphasizing the importance of language, the VC explained that "it is another instrument which could be used to tackle insecurity. His words: "I want to plead with French Embassy in Nigeria to collaborate with us in the learning and teaching of the language. Our University must be a partner in this progress. We have to be a part owner in this development."

The Ambassador was accompanied on the visit by Mr. Perez Patrick, Counsellor and Head of Cooperation, Mr. Francois Sastourne, Consul General, Consulate of France, Lagos and Dr. Xavier Moyet, the new Director of French Institute for Research in Africa, IFRA-Nigeria at the University of Ibadan.

Present at the occasion were the Registrar, Mr.Olujimi Olukoya, Bursar, Mr. Olaniyi Aponmade, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, Dean of Student, Prof. Akinola Alada, Director, Institute of African Studies,Prof. Dele Layiwola and other key officers of the University.
Source: UI Website