GSM: Bleep or Beep, not ‘Flash’

Ebere Wabara

BLUEPRINT headline goof of November 6 welcomes us this week: “FG blames principals over (for) poor performance at unity schools”

Next on focus is also the above edition of November 3 which committed the following offences: “Labour unions dare FG, shun return to work order” News: return-to-work order

“As the strike action lingered beyond this point….” Thinking with you: delete ‘action’!

“…which castigated the institutions that opened their doors for lecturers for one serious business or the other (or another) during the strike.”

“Nordic Nigeria connect: CBN threatens to sanction illegal forex transaction” The apex bank cannot sanction forex transaction, but those behind the transaction—the operators. 

“Lagos killer driver (killer-driver) surrenders to police, to be charged for (with) manslaughter”

“We wish you God’s abiding grace and blessings as you contribute your quota in (to) the service of our dear State.”

“I wish to congratulate you, on behalf of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, for (on or upon)….”

Wrong: revenue generating agencies

Right: revenue-generating agencies

“I am exceedingly glad to felicitate with my dear brother….” A rewrite: I felicitate my dear brother…. (If you are sad, you will not felicitate your brother or, indeed, any other person)!

Daily Independent Online Back Page of November 1 fumbled on NLC: “…the union sticks to its gun (guns)….”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, of November 19 goofed copiously: “For a secured (secure) nation…” 

“Harnessing potentials of Calabar carnival” Travel & Leisure: ‘potential’ is non-count, unlike ‘potentiality’.

“A honour well deserve” (A full-page congratulatory advertorial for…by friends and brothers) A rewrite: An honour well deserved

Still on THISDAY under review: “Government College, Ughelli Old Boy’s (Boys’) Association, Lagos Branch…Annual End of Year Luncheon Party” (Full-page advertisement) Keep the ship sailing: End-of-Year Luncheon

The last three mistakes in The Saturday Newspaper under examination are from a full-page congratulatory advertorial: “Another feather to (in) Matawallen Bauchi’s cap”

“…the entire people of Bauchi State on occasion (on the occasion) of his installation as the….”

“This honour is indeed an attestation of (to) your outstanding achievements….” Yet, the FCT Minister has SSA (Media), Chief Press Secretary and others in the superfluous communications team!

Overheard: “I saw him frowning his face….” What else would he have frowned?

Daily Trust of November 28 terrorized the English language on a few occasions: “Kidnappers to be charged for (with) murder, terrorism”

“Aliyu’s last minute (last-minute) retreat, mark of insincerity—Vatsa”

Out of the four headlines on the Politics Page of Daily Trust of the edition under review, three contained ‘says’! That was sheer laziness on the part of the page planner as there were other verbs that could have been used to avoid monotony.

Next is the views page with two improprieties: “The acquiescence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration for (in) a constitutional conference remains a bold decision.”

“The late Professor Ben Nwabueze has (had) recently canvassed in a well publicised (well-publicized) article that….”

“Cases of sexual harassment, under-aged (underage) girls offering their bodies to teachers for marks and other favours….” Why not simply ‘prostituting for marks…’?

“Police threaten to arrest monarchs over Plateau attacks” News: either arrest for attacks or arrest in connection with attacks (not ‘arrest…over’)

The following three goofs are from Leadership of November 8: “…the recanting of voluntarily given evidences by witnesses….” The prince of Nigeria paradigm: voluntarily-given evidence—which is non-count.

“We must start addressing the pervading (pervasive) injustice that has….”

“…despite all manners (manner) of intimidation….” (DStv NEWS, November 7)

Vanguard Politics Page of November 20 localized the English language thrice: “CNPP publicity secretary…in a statement yesterday said it is (was) alarmed over (by/at) Obi’s penchant for ethnic card….”

“Okoye, who was one of the governorship aspirants under (on) the platform of the PDP….”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of November 19 comes next with some school-boy howlers: “…INEC said the commission is (was) working assiduously to deliver a credible general elections in 2027.” Delete ‘a’!

“The impression will be allowed to fester that Amaechi is only vocal because of his alleged personal grudges with (against) the president and his party.”

“Export Council sensitizes stakeholders on (to) ECOWAS scheme”

“I do a lot of jotting (jottings).”

“…CBAAC organised series (a series) of dance-dramas and art exhibitions for children.”

“Yorubas (Yoruba) to endow education legacy”

“Police arrest six over (for) inter-communal clash in Bayelsa”

“Sports Minister drums (drums up) support for Super Eagles”

Finally from Nigerian Tribune of October 22: “With more than 400 reportedly killed in Cairo last week Wednesday.” All the facts, all the sides: last Wednesday or Wednesday, last week

“Already, we are suffering from his double standards (standard) with regard to the war…!

“Now that the administration appears to be at its wits (wits’) end, perhaps President Tinubu may consider convening a national stakeholder’s (stakeholders’) summit…. 

“…which we signed sometimes (sometime) in July.”

“…in view of the increasing hazards that is (are) being….” (A goodwill message at NGE Uyo 2023)

“I want to congratulate our Guild for (on/upon) rising to the challenges….” 

Still from the editors’ conference: “…Nigerian media is freer than any other media in (on) the continent….”

“For enquires (sic) call….” (NTA Channel 35) Showing the light: For enquiries, call….

Instead of ‘flash’, use ‘bleep’ or ‘beep’ to let someone know you want them to telephone you.

“2027: Can the opposition seize the opportunity?” From the other side: you take (not seize—which is American English) the opportunity.   

“N23bn monthly allocation crash inter-bank rates” Business English: allocation crashes.  

“2027: Anglican bishop wants vigilante groups to help policemen protect ballot boxes” In the interest of eschatology: vigilance groups. 

“Today, it is becoming increasing (increasingly) clearer that a free and fair election is possible in Nigeria….” 

“…this he applied in fighting the cause of oppressed (the oppressed). He was Igbo (an Igbo) leader.” 

“Itse Sagay accuses Supreme Court justices of setting bad precedence in the country’s judicial history.” There is a morphological distinction between ‘precedence’ and ‘precedent’, which applies to the extract. 

“Economics, as if the poor matters!” Voice of the nation: the poor matter! 

From THE NATION of November 20 comes this entry: “N699b went to banks as interest on borrowed loans in 2012 alone.” Is there any loan that is not borrowed? (Contributed by Stanley Nduagu/08062925996)