Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, has charged learners in the State to be conscious, embrace, promote and encourage their children to speak their local languages for them not to go into extinction.

Prof. Arigbabu, gave the charge during the 2026 Annual French competition, organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, said people should be intentional, determined and deliberate to communicate and transact in their mother tongue and as well attach importance to it and not allow it to be referred to as vernacular.

Arigbabu, noted that the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun placed high premium on languages, either local or foreign, hence the relocation and equipment of the language centre with digital gadgets and partitioning into different units in which French retained one of the units where people could learn effectively and conveniently.

"Language is a notable means for effective interactions and a major mechanism for anyone who desires to function well in the society everywhere and perform well. I congratulate you students for being part of this and I advise you to take the learning of Frech seriously’’, he said.

While addressing the guest and the participants, the Special Advisor to the Governor on Education, Dr. Lukmon Kiadese, encouraged the students to keep up the tempo and maximise the opportunities inherent in the learning of the language as tomorrow could not be predicted.

In her remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko appreciated the Commissioner for facilitating the relocation of the centre to a more conducive environment, advising learners to move closer to their teachers that are versatile in the language and learn more.

          Speaking, a former Coordinator of the French Centre in Ogun State and retired Director of Education, Mr. Taiwo Salako, commended the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the support he rendered to the centre and for sustaining it up the level of becoming a model among other centres in the country, noting that the relocation of the centre to a better environment was a clear indication of the government interest in providing the best for the learners.

Appreciating the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun for the unwavering supports for the language centre in the State, the State Coordinator of French language, Mrs. Osikalu, explained that the programme was put in place mainly to motivate learners and to arouse their interest for the language, as well as to help them become bilingual in case of future opportunities.

In a goodwill message, the State President of Nigeria Association of French Teachers, Mr. Raheem Kamilu, acknowledged the transformational innovation of the government in the education sector, just as he enjoined learners to learn French effectively, if they were to make something good out of it, disclosing that the Association at the National level would be coming out soon with an award for Prof. Arigbabu.

The State Coordinator of the French Centre, Mrs. Osikalu announced the results as follows Drama: Abeokuta Grammar Sch. Idi-Aba, Abeokuta won the First Position, 2nd position goes to Calvary2 Arrow Collège,Obafemi -Owode, while the 3rd position was won by Focus International. School, Sagamu.

On Spelling Bee Senior Category: First Position was won by FUTE International School, Ilaro, African Church Grammar School, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta made the Second Position and the Third Position was won by Focus International School, Sagamu, but in the Junior Category, First Position Calvary Arrow Collège, Obafemi -Owode, Second Position Foursquare Collège Asero, Abeokuta and the Third Position Unity High school, Abeokuta

Also for the Quiz, Junior category: First Position, Pakoto High School, Ifo, Second Position FUNIC, Osiele, Odeda and Third Position, Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu, while the results for the Senior Category goes thus: First, Calvary Arrow Collège, Obafemi -Owode, Second Focus International College, Sagamu and Nawa-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko, Odeda won Third Position 

Finally for the Primary DramaFirst Position Bloombery School, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, Second Position Ibara Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Abeokuta and in the Primary Quiz; First Position Bloombery Sch Onikolobo, Second Position Ibara Baptist Nur &Pry