Walks, not Works, of Life

Media Gaffes 

“THE enthusiastic participation by all Nigerians from all works (walks) of life….”

“…an indelible statement that inspite (in spite) of the challenges that currently exist….” (‘Currently’ is otiose here)

“…and All the Governors (needless capitalization) who attended the epoch making (epoch-making) event.” Except if ‘epoch’ is the event maker!

“We are proud of the President’s Pan Nigerian (sic) outlook….” This way: the President’s pan-Nigeria outlook

“Sisters arrested over (for) attempt to smuggle marijuana to brother”

“Group condemns INEC (INEC’s) handling of PVC in Lagos”

“We are eternally appreciative to (sic) be part of the ongoing Transformation agenda which has recorded irreversible growth for the Oil and Gas Industry.” (Full-page advertorial by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and signed by its Management) A rewrite: We are eternally appreciative of being part of the ongoing….

“I…of the Niger Delta Development Commission on behalf of the management and staff of the Commission felicitates (felicitate) with….”

“…especially in this (these) turbulent times in our journey to great nationhood.” (Source: as above)

“Mgbidi Boys (Boys’) Secondary School (1982 Set) and Classmates of Senator Hope Uzodinma”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY POLITICS of May 7 contributed the next two wrongs: “Another party source said the elders are (were) considering the consensus option.”

“…used the authority of the party’s extraordinary convention held in Abuja a forth-night (sic) ago….” Spell-check: fortnight

“Ilorin residents groan as pure water scarcity worsens” Middle Belt Today: sachet water

“Unity Bank releases names of debtors” Why not debtors’ names, especially for headline purposes?

“Ajimobi will break second term (second-term) jinx”

“Intelligent EMUI 3.0 with gravity sensing (gravity-sensing) technology”

“LG boss assures on democracy dividend” Who did the chairman assure?

“At both the Enugu and Nsukka campuses of the university.…” (THISDAY, May 4) On (not at) both the campuses…

“The commission did analysed the memorable…” I don’t need to analyze the tense problem in the extract.

“It is simplistic to think that every decisions will be accepted by everybody.” Every decision or all decisions

“It’s constitution is over 200 years old and was drafted by just 55 men.” The possessive form of ‘its’ does not require an apostrophe.

“Robbery tribunal sworn-in” ‘Sworn in’, a phrasal verb, cannot function as a compound word.

“The veil of enemity between.…” Get it right: enmity.

“…the arrogance of certain persons connected directly or indirectly make me nervous….” The arrogance…makes me nervous.

“He had reflected back to (reflected on) this time two years ago.…” Yank off ‘back’ which smacks of crass illiteracy.

“However, with series of painstaking explanations.…” A series of…

“On my way to work, last week Wednesday….” Simply last Wednesday or Wednesday, last week: the excerpt is odd.

“And that is, the Nigerian police has not failed.” The Nigerian police have

“…the nation’s enormous human and material resources would blossom resulting eventually into (sic) economic buoyancy.” Resulting in economic buoyancy

“The campaign abroad is that Nigeria is on the verge of a huge conflagration.” (THISDAY, The Sunday Edition, May 7) ‘Conflagration’ does not need any amplification (huge).

“It is true that majority of us do not want to see Nigeria break.” A/the majority of us.…

“They were thought (what!) how to use cutleries as Frenchmen.” I was taught by my current dictionaries that ‘cutlery’ is non-count. And ‘thought’ for ‘taught’? Could it be ignorance or carelessness?

VANDALIZATION (also vandalism) is a variant of vandalism that is not so popular in terms of usage because it is often used in Law in a specialized manner.

A more perfect or perfect union? I convened a national conference where recommendations and resolutions were reached towards a ‘more perfect (perfect or nearly/possibly/probably perfect union. This is imitation of ‘we’. The people of the United States in order to form ‘a more perfect’ union in the Constitution of the United States adopted in March 1789. ‘Perfect’ is an absolute superlative. It is not modified, qualified or amplified. ‘More perfect’ is un-English, un-presidential! We can correctly say or write nearly/possibly/probably perfect or unique (not more perfect or most perfect). Keep up the good work, brother.

‘Flag off’ means to start an event: it may be found in a standard dictionary. Therefore, some writers have popularized its usage. Users will continue to argue about correct usage.

FEEDBACK

FACE mark in Africa transcends mere decoration. It connotes ethnicity/culture. So, OBJ has tribal marks on the face. The marks can as well be on other parts of the body (especially in the olden days) The English language should be adapted to portray intended expression and not to please native speakers. This is the essence of linguistics. May God deliver us from colonialism. (MODUPE ADEGBORO, 07030759108)

IT is incorrect for RayPower in its Nigeria Today News (May 8) to use ‘wake-keep’ instead of ‘wake’. (KOLA DANISA, 07068074257)

I find your column WORDSWORTH profound, an asset to the media and all users of the English language. (OGOCHUKWU, 08033812451)

“This piece does not intend to whip-up (whip up) ethnic sentiments….” 

Nnokwa Community in Lagos Empowers Citizens with Capacity Building

Kasie Abone reports that the one day business forum organized by Nnokwa Progress Union was aimed at building capacity to tackle current economic challenges.

T

imes are hard, everybody says. Businesses are collapsing; people are being thrown out of jobs, families are tightening their belts, many are committing suicide and crime rate once again soars. While many fold their hands and bemoan the harsh economic situation, the Nnokwa people, form Idemili North Local Government areas of Anambra state resident in Lagos decided to take the bull by the horns to findinnovative solutions to address some of these challenges confronting their citizens.

Under the umbrella of Education Committee of Nnokwa Progress Union (NPU), Lagos branch, chaired by Mr. Emeka Abone, the town organized a free one day capacity building business forum not only aimed at addressing the current youth’s unemployment ravaging the nation especially with the downward turn occasioned by recession, but also to empower them with knowledge on opportunities available in Small and Medium Scale businesses and how to source funds to finance such businesses.

The programme which had as theme “Growing Small and Medium Scale Business Enterprise in Today’s Nigeria Economy” was held at Nnokwa Civic Centre, Ejigbo, Lagos State.

Many Nnokwa citizens, male and female, old and young, resident in Lagos availed themselves of the opportunity to gain new insights into how to grow their businesses, start new ones in order to navigate the biting economic hardship. The  event which was chaired by Executive Director, May and Baker, Mr. Valentine Okelu had other illustrious sons and daughters of Nnokwa including Executive Chairman, GreenLife Group, Dr. Obiorah Chukwuka, who was the guest of honour together with Executive Chairman,  Akachukwu Foundation and Patron of the Education Committee, Engr. Simon Ukpaka, NPU Lagos branch president, Prince Charles Ezeagwu, Chairperson, NPU Women Wing, Mrs. Nneka Ezeonyeodili, Patroness, NPU Lagos Branch Women Wing, Mrs. Frances Efobi among many others.

Also in attendance was Ejigbo LCDA Sole Administrator, Hon. Ibrahim Adigun, who was the special guest of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, the president, Prince Ezeagwu, noted the huge role played by SMEs globally describing them as engine that powers economic development. He said SMEs not only provide 80 percent of employment but also the synergy for Nigeria’s economic growth. Still harping on the roles of SMEs he added that while they are patriotic and loyal to the local economy, multinationals whose main concern is the bottom-line drives their businesses at the detriment of national interest of their host communities.

Despite these Ezeagwu said SMEs are faced with multitude of challenges adding that until these were addressed the national economy will remain on reverse gear. “The challenges of most SMEs are hinged on inadequate capital. Some startups require loans, both long term, medium and long term loans. I Nigeria while sourcing for loan is a major challenge, a more daunting challenge is that of power.” He called on governments to create enabling environment by provide adequate infrastructures upon which small businesses can thrive.

The chairman of the occasion, Mr.Okelu hailed the initiative and encouraged participants to explore various funding windows available to small businesses. He advised that the forum should be made an annual event.

In his remark, Dr. Chukwuka identified key ingredients needed grow a successful enterprise chief among which were vision and integrity. “You must have vision in order to have direction. It is your vision that will take you to mission and it must be explicit. Without vision it is impossible to achieve success in business.” He added “You must think of adding value to life which is more important than making money; and you must strive to improve yourself.”

A leading Freight Forwarder and also a son of the soil, Chairman of Okoso Nigeria Limited Chief Basil Onyeanusi, patience, slow and steady, you will get there. You must have to work very hard, be patient, you will definitely get there. It may tarry according to the bible but you must definitely get there. One lesson that is a guiding principle to him in business was truthfulness the person you told the truth today might not believe you, as a clearing agent, our motto is truthful, if they discover that what you told them yesterday was true, they will come back with referrals.

Earlier in his welcome chairman of education committee, Mr. Abone noted that a holistic approach should be adopted in tackling the multiple economic challenges which have eroded the purchasing power of average Nigeria household. “This involves going back to basics.” And to ensure that SMEs take its proper place in revamping the economy and creating the much needed wealth, Abone said his committee assembled a team of experts from business and banking sectors to examine what needed to be done to address the issues.

Among the banks representatives that gave talk were the Group Head, Specialised SMEs, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Ndubisi Onuoha, FCMB Relationship Manager, Benita Okolie and a representative of bank Of Industry.  While Onuoha said the presence of the Fidelity Bank was in line with its DNA of empowering SMEs to thrive Okolie added that at the core of FCMBs mission was to add value to businesses by providing them the right information through education about the facilities available to empower their businesses.

The event also featured mini trade exhibition, free medical checkup among other activities.

PIX: Nnokwa  community. jpg