Creditably, Not ‘Creditably Well’
Ebere Wabara
SATURDAY INDEPENDENT online of January 15 disseminated all manner of school-boy howlers right from the front page: “Fear has grip (gripped) notable politicians in Ebonyi State following findings by….” Most of the ensuing blunders were caused by sheer carelessness and loose thinking as the computer system has an in-built mechanism that detects most of the spelling errors contained herein.
“The discovery was made when the SSS arrested some kidnappers in the state alleged to be the brain (brains) behind high profile (high-profile) kidnapping in the state.”
“The SSS in the state said on Friday that it has (had) arrested….”
“…motorists were made to watch a bizzare (bizarre) spectacle, (needless comma) as four policemen beat a man gave (who gave) his name as…to a state of stupour (stupor).”
“The policemen, who drove to the scene in a patrol van with registration number KJA 284 AX, threw caution the winds (sic) (threw caution to the winds).”
“Federal University Lafia, (otiose punctuation) matriculates 380 students” Would it have matriculated traders? Just yank away the last word in the extract!
“Community sends SOS to Otti over harrassment” Spell-check: harassment, but embarrassment.
“When Uzodinma’s wife rescued woman abandoned with tripplet (triplet)”
Still on SATURDAY INDEPENDENT under focus: “…Senator Hope Uzodinma, has already served the people creditable well…” This is an over-kill: use either ‘creditably’ or ‘well’. Both cannot co-function in the same environment.
“Adewale Ayuba is one musician (music/musical) act who has been around for years. “
“My husband usually ask (asks) me to abort my pregnancy, woman tells court”
Finally from SATURDAY INDEPENDENT, a voice of your own: “Movie directors threaten sanction on (against) actress”
Next on focus is DAILY TRUST of January 10: “They buy at N159 and sell at N167, the CBN has (had) addressed last year when….”
“But what the banks decided to do is (was) to even stop selling.”
“Middle aged (Middle-aged) man commits suicide in Jos…Police tries (try) to uncover his identity”
“IITA creates 40,000 jobs under cassava to ethanol (cassava-to-ethanol) project”
THISDAY of February 6 contributed to the pool of infelicities: “Budget: APC threatening the lifewire (livewire) of Nigeria, says FG”
“Edo: Court remands killer cop (killer-cop) in prison” Get it right: Court remands killer-cop
Leadership of January 9 goofed: “CBN said money is (was) missing from federation (the federation) account.”
Next on parade is The PUNCH of January 10: “Osun education policy confusing—Methodist Church” This way: Osun’s educational (preferably) policy…
“Uzodinma advised to set-up committee on derivation fund” Phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation.
“Police arrest five students over (for) NECO exam fraud”
“Its body is adapted to breath (breathe) air during periods of draught….”
“Consequently, the proper policing of our streets are (is) sorely neglected.”
“In the past, as there was (were) no clear-cut policies and demarcation of roads.…”
“This situation works against the use of vigilante (vigilance) groups to combat crime because most of them are ethnic based.”
“Face off (a hyphen, please) between chairmen, councillors paralyse (paralyses) activities in 3 LGs”
“Sanwo-Olu charges electronics media to halt….” Get it right: the electronic media to halt….
“…the closure and later reopening of the school, but with a divide and rule tactics.” Education without tears: a divide-and-rule (note the hyphenation) tactic (not tactics).
“…the crisis currently being faced in fuel supply and distribution will be a child’s play.” There is currency in ‘being’. So, ‘currently being’ is an overkill.
“A fatal motor accident…has claimed the lives of Eleven (sic) wedding guests among them a youth corp (corps) member.” Once death results, it becomes obviously a fatal mishap. Therefore, there is no point including the ‘fatality’ aspect in the intro.
“Group lashes Tinubu over relationship with deputy” The group did not flog the man, but lashed out at him! Got the point? Idiomatic expressions are fixed and not subject to a sub-editor’s illiteracy.
“…as a condition of peace in (on) the whole continent.”
“Nigeria farmer’s export pumpkin leaves” Just rewrite: Nigerian farmers export pumpkin leaves.
“Holy Rosary Nursery School, Abuja (another comma) holds first graduation ceremony” Simply graduation (no trite embellishment with otiose ‘ceremony’—do you understand?).
Yet another headline blunder: ”Criteria knocks out firms on privatization” Singular: criterion; plural: criteria.
“Sensing danger, the palace and its vicinity was (were) fortified.”
“Much more painful is the fact that officials charged with such high responsibilities betray the confidence reposed on (in) them…”
“Man (a comma) 60, jailed two years for impregnating 12-year-old girl”
“…vigilante groups also exist but not as the…” Justice in service of community: vigilance group.
“We congratulate the governor for (on) this.”
“Until he decided to join the political bandwagon as one of the facilitators…” State of the nation: climb or jump aboard/on the bandwagon.
“Lufthansa Cargo devices new means of tracking shipment” British Standard English: device (noun) and devise (verb).
“Oshodi/Isolo LG sets to re-build (sic) burnt market” Lagos Insider: set to rebuild.
“Players shape-up for Tinubu Tennis” Phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation.
“That appears to be the thrust of the arguement raging right, left and centre.” Spellcheck: argument.
“…as an affront on (to) them as a people.”
“…since he believes the police has (have) failed.”
“Even Tinubu himself has proposed that a largely populated and commercial city like Lagos, with its multi-ethnic colourations (colorations) and a teeming population of about 12 million people, require (requires) 50,000 policemen…”
The Lagos State Police Command was expected to have given a shoot-at-sight order to its officers recently.” New (dynamic) school: shoot-on-sight order.
“The police needs (need) not only to be strong but also…”
