The 9-year-old daughter of Nigerian music superstar Davido and entrepreneur Sophia Momodu, has captivated social media with her fluent French skills. The video, shared by her mother, has not only showcased Imade’s impressive language abilities but also ignited a broader conversation about cultural identity and education in Nigeria.
The video, posted on Instagram last Tuesday, features Imade confidently conversing in French, demonstrating a level of fluency that has left many viewers astounded. Her mother, Sophia Momodu, can be heard encouraging her daughter from behind the camera, clearly proud of Imade’s accomplishment.
Viral video of Davido and Sophia Momodu’s daughter Imade speaking fluent French goes viral pic.twitter.com/UFhsY4JhaH
— Dockaysworld.NG (@Dockaysworld) October 11, 2024
“I was amazed at how naturally Imade switched to French,” says Lagos-based language teacher, Adebayo Ogunlesi. Her pronunciation and vocabulary use are remarkable for someone her age, especially considering French isn’t widely spoken in Nigeria.
The response to Imade’s linguistic display has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans and followers expressing their admiration across various social media platforms.
One Twitter user, @NigerianDreamer, commented: “Imade is setting the bar high for her generation. Multilingualism is a superpower in today’s world!”
Instagram user @proudmama2023 added: “This young girl is going places! Her parents must be so proud.”
While many celebrate Imade’s French-speaking abilities, some have raised questions about the preservation of cultural heritage. The debate centers around the importance of maintaining fluency in native languages alongside foreign language acquisition.
Dr. Foluke Adebayo, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Lagos, weighs in: “It’s wonderful to see young Nigerians embracing global languages. However, we must ensure this doesn’t come at the cost of our indigenous languages. Yoruba, in Imade’s case, is equally important for her cultural identity.”
The discussion sparked by Imade’s video reflects a broader societal conversation about raising children in an increasingly globalized world while maintaining strong ties to one’s cultural roots.
Sophia Momodu addressed these concerns in a follow-up post: “Imade is equally passionate about her Yoruba heritage. We’re committed to raising a child who’s both globally aware and deeply connected to her roots.
Education experts see Imade’s bilingual skills as a positive sign for Nigeria’s educational future. Dr. Emmanuel Okoro, an education policy analyst, notes: “Imade’s abilities highlight the potential for our schools to adopt more robust language programs. It’s a wake-up call for our education system to prepare students for a global stage.
As the video continues to circulate, it serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of education and cultural identity in the 21st century. Imade Adeleke, at just 9 years old, has unknowingly become a symbol of this complex interplay between global ambition and cultural preservation.
While debates may continue, one thing remains clear: Imade’s linguistic journey is just beginning, and many will be watching with interest to see how she and her generation navigate the delicate balance between global citizenship and cultural heritage.
