It depends what do you want to code for. I enjoy programming games, it will probably become my job when I start working. And because computer graphics is one of the most performance oriented branches of computer science, I had no other options(C is capable for CG too of course but C++ is almost the industry's standard).

It is a great language. Has a perfect balance between performance and usability. And since MeeGo will be QT oriented, if you want to code for it, you should definitely know at least an entrance level of C++.