‘Birthday Anniversary’ Incorrect

Expression BY Ebere Wabara

WRONG: birthday anniversary. Use either ‘birthday’ or ‘anniversary’. The two cannot co-function. (Elucidation next week).

“I cannot divorce my wife because of false allegations that….” This is utterly wrong! An ‘allegation’ is either true or untrue—until proved. There is nothing like ‘false allegation’ but ‘allegation’.

“That alone justifies the choice of Sokoto State electorates who could relate with his penchant for siding with the populace.” Get it right: the Sokoto State electorate                                                                                                               

NEWS: “Kwara APC suspends ex-senator, gov’s aide, others over (for) anti-party activities”

“Congratulations our focused workaholic and God fearing (God-fearing) gentleman….” ‘Workaholic’ is informal and slightly uncomplimentary!

THISDAY of April 22 disseminated just three mistakes: “The financial services sector came top (tops) and accounted for 1.759 billion shares valued at N14.642 billion….”

“…in what appeared as if police was (the police were) winning the war on tinted glasses….”

 “The initial optimism that the solution to the crisis bedeviling the Adamawa State chapter of the PDP was at (in) sight may be a forlorn hope if….”

THISDAY of April 20 disrespected the English language right from its Front Page: “…at the funeral service for late Chief Oluwole Awolowo at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne-Remo in Ogun State…yesterday.” My own last respects: funeral service for Chief Oluwole Awolowo. You do not hold a funeral service for a living person! If the obvious has to be awkwardly stated, at all, then it should be: for the late Chief….

“Rivers PDP crisis: We’ll enforce Abuja court order, says (say) police”

“Task force arrest (arrests) informant, three other pipeline vandals”

“With the injury which report says will knocked (sic) him out for between six to (and) nine months.” Is this a phrase or a loose sentence? 

The last contribution by THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER of April 22 under review: “The Federal Government said they (it) will (would) demolish our homes but….”

Daily Trust of April 18 circulated multifarious improprieties: “…the driver of the vehicle used for the kidnap took to his heel (heels).”

“…Mrs. Sanwo-Olu visited the home of the abducted chairman to condole (condole with) his wife….”

“…was being driven in his parents’ Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, when he was abducted with the driver.” News: Sport-Utility (adjectival) Vehicle.

“…after the governor’s executive phone-in programme at (on) the station’s premises, yesterday.”

“These are strong words, and indeed a ‘vote of no confidence’ on (in) judicial officers by the head of that institution.”

“Meanwhile the level of crimes and the unbridled looting of the public treasury are in (on) the ascendancy.”

“Our constitution happily (how?) guarantee (guarantees) fair hearing at all times in all cases….”

From Leadership of April 19 come the next rot and other blunders that follow: “…both the spirit and letters of the law in any way.” All the Fact, All the Sides: the spirit and the letter of the law.

“The vicious circle is literarily complete…..” Education as I see it: The vicious circle is literally complete…. I hope you know that ‘vicious circle’ and ‘vicious cycle’ are both correct.

“New FUTA students’ leaders sworn-in” Campus News: sworn in (phrasal verb—no hyphenation).

“Against the backdrop of the 2nd All African Junior Golf Tournament in Abuja….” Sport: 2nd All-Africa Junior Golf Tournament in Abuja  

”PENGASSAN charges government on oil theft vandalisation” Business & Finance: vandalism (not ‘vandalisation’)!

“My suggestion, therefore, is that our National Assembly members should tow (toe) the line of reason.” (THE PUNCH, April 6)

“This is because of the numerous restraints, both social and economical (economic), which is (are) associated with the day to day (day-to-day) life of a convict.” (DAILY CHAMPION, April 6)

”…especially those public officers who remain suspect with regards (regard) to their qualifications and credibility to hold public offices.” (Nigerian Tribune, April 6) Alternatively, as regards their qualifications….

“The nation has (had) in the past pardoned and forgiven it’s (sic) past leaders and citizens who committed one offence or the other (or another).” (Leadership, April 6)

“Such citizens had since been integrated back (reintegrated) into the system.” (Source: as above)

“A recent summit in Kaduna on education in the northern states provided the appropriate forum to revisit, once again….”  (THE PUNCH, April 6) ‘Revisit’ cannot co-function with ‘again’.

“Gone are the days when government can (could) go it alone.” (THE GUARDIAN, April 6)

“Infact (In fact) every (all) loving parents….” (DAILY CHAMPION, April 6)

“In the agricultural sector, the two countries can learn a lot from one another (each other).” (Nigerian Tribune, April 6)

“Bribery enthrones mediocrity and crucify merit.” (Source: as above) The Tabernacle of bribery crucifies merit.

“Gang up against Jonathan will fail” (NIGERIAN Tribune Front Page Headline, 15 April) Phrasal verb: gang up; noun: gang-up (which applies here).

 “We were treated to another similar incidence.…” All newspapers should know the difference between ‘incidence’ and ‘incident’ (which applies here).

“Although the governor’s last minute romance with the main opposition party is held against him.…” Saturday People: last-minute (take note of the hyphen) romance. 

“Thus, a core investor…with regards to optimal use of the machinery.…”  (THE GUARDIAN, April 12) Either: as regards or with regard to….

“In the heydays of the goggled General when fuel was often unavailable…” (THE GUARDIAN, April 20) Stranglehold of oil workers: heyday (uncountable).

“Last year, many houses of the Igbo in Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos, were razed down.…” (THISDAY, April 20) No word abuse: simply razed (not razed down). Discard the contrary views by some registers!

Yet another headline gaffe: “Restrictions on inter-bank foreign exchange trading is (are) killing the market.”

“Armed robbers now have good company–street thugs and unofficial vigilante groups.” (THE GUARDIAN, April 20) Democracy as a disincentive: vigilance group.

“Buhari points accusing fingers at INEC….” People in the news: Buhari points the finger. No obtuse addition.

“Nigeria is at a crossroad” (VANGUARD, April 20) Fixed expression: at a/ the crossroads.

“Stationeries badly needed by.…” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, April 20) ‘Stationery’ is non-count.

“But what appears criminal is the desire of these off-springs of.…” (DAILY CHAMPION, April 20) ‘Offspring’ does not take any inflection.

The next three goofs are from VANGUARD of April 20: ”…the process of economic integration from which will emerge an economic block (bloc).…”

“There is a tussle going on between these two (would it have been three?) arms of government.”

“Nigerian leaders and politicians have continued to adopt and acquiesce to (in).…”

“Globacom sets (set) to rule domestic market” (Nigerian Tribune, April 20)

“I have been briefed that the wrangling among the leaders of PDP are (is) over.” (SUNDAY VANGUARD, April 23) 

BusinessDay of April 20 disseminated an embarrassing impropriety: “Now that the Police has (have) taken over the supervision of the….”