Free Education
“It is unfair and defamatory in the extreme to say that the products of the free primary education in the West are semi- literate. The truth which stares the critics in the face everyday of their lives is that since 1967, indeed, since 1966, the vast majority of admissions into our universities from the West and Mid- West are from among the products of the free primary education scheme, so loudly condemned as unredeemed failure”. – From an address “titled” (entitled)” My aim is to raise the level of our public debate’ by Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the Mainland Hotel, Ebute – Meta, Lagos on Friday, July 31, 1970. Note on usage: I repeat, “title” is a Noun, “entitle/ entitled (meaning call / called; name/ named) is its corresponding Verb while “titled” is an adjective (e.g. a titled lady, the late Mrs. Margaret Thatcher). Americans use “titled” (an adjective) as a Verb, just as we read of “the American people being gentled into acceptance of China in the United Nations (U.N.); “the speech hotting – up the debate” (adjectives as verbs!).
With pomp and pageantry or with pomp and ceremony?
The independence which we vaunt, and celebrate with pomp and “pageantry” (ceremony or circumstance) every year, will remain an illusion until African leaders are able to devise correct and effective solutions to the continent’s crucial and pressing problems. Note on Usage: “pomp and ceremony”, like “pomp and circumstance”, is a formal (fixed) phrase known to British English (BE) while “pomp and pageantry” made popular by old Nigerian journalists, is English Made In Nigeria!
Invite or invitation?
Grab your chance to get a special vip “invite” (invitation) to the Oscars of African Football. Do not miss the chance”!! (!). – Glo, December 18, 216. Special not on Usage: INVITE: The only legitimate use of this word (invite) is as a verb. E.g. I invite my family members and friends to a weekend party.
As a noun, in the sense of “invitation”, it is a vulgarism, yes, a barbarism.
Informat or information?
For more “informat” (information) about our properties, call – – – . Hadron (Homes and properties), Advert on BOND FM 92.9, on December 19, 2016. Note on usage! “informat”, like “invite”, is a barbarism, spreading bad habit in the English language!
You better or you had better?
O.C. you “better” (had better) start treating me with the respect I deserve if you don’t want to see my godfather’s red eyes. – The PUNCH Cartoon Colum, December 19, 2016. Note on usage: “You had better”, like “You would rather”, is a verb pattern.
However, the negative of “you had better” is “you had better not”.
To enable Nigeria benefit or to benefit?
It is, however, crucial for President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the 2.2 million barrel per day (bpd) budget target is met to enable Nigeria “benefit” (to benefit) from the price tally. – The PUNCH EDITORIAL, January 16, 2017. Usage Notes: “enable”, like “able”, “unable”, is followed by an infinitive – to.
Don’t forget the English language has its rules, norms and conventions.
Reoccur, reoccurring or recur, recurring?
It is pertinent to ask why kitchen equipment is a “reoccurring” (recurring) feature of the state House budget every year. – The PUNCH EDITORIAL, January 19, 2017. Special note on Usage: “recur”, like “recurring”, is Briticism while “reoccur and “reoccurring” are pieces of Americanism.
“Recur” inflects recur – recurring –recurred –has recurred.
Also note: recurrence and recurrent.
Christian wake- keeping or Christian wake?
With gratitude to God, we, the members of Adejobi Royal Family, announce the call to glory of Price Edem Adebola Adejobi.
Funeral arrangements: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at “5pm” (17:00 hours). Christian “wake –keeping” (wake). Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 10.00 hours.- Obituary Notice; The PUNCH, February 3, 2017. Special notes on grammar and usage: Christian wake (wake or Muslim wake) is British English (BE) while “Christian wake –keep / wake –keeping” is Nigerian English (NE).
Come February 14 or on February 14?
“Come” (On) February 14, all roads will lead to Renaissance Hotel, in Ikeja, Lagos State, as Nigeria’s foremost musical couple, Tunde and Wunmi Obe, popularly known as T.W.O. “hosts fun lovers” (will play hosts to fun lovers) at a special party and fun fare.
The couple, our correspondent gathered, is “partnership (partnering) with the Renaissance Hotel on the event, which is scheduled to begin as from “6pm” (18. 00hours) on Valentine Day. –The PUNCH art & life page, February 3, 2017. Special notes on grammar and Usage: “On February 14” is British English (BE) while “come February 14” is Nigerian English (NE).
“To partner” means “to be a partner to someone” (Not “to partnership”).
Another note: In all civilized, advanced countries, the people use 24 hours, that is, 1pm =13.00 hours/hrs., 2pm =14hours /hrs., 3pm = 15.00hours /hrs., 4pm =16.00hours /hrs., 5pm =17.00hours /hrs., 6pm =18.00hours /hrs., 7pm =19.00hours; 8pm = 20.00hour, 9pm = 21 hours, 10pm =22hours, 11pm = 23hours and 12pm (mid –night) =24.00hours, .
Gotten or got?
What that means is that even if it (Pon Zi scheme) is going to collapse, I would have “gotten” (got) my own money back.
The celebrants or celebrators?
The event – the wedding of Wesco Bet boss – went on smoothly at the Adeola Odutola Hall, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, until the politicians, not the “celebrants” (celebrators) became the centre of attention. –THE NATION, February 4, 2017. Notes on grammar and Usage: “Ill- gotten gains”, or ill –gotten wealth”, is the formal (fixed) phrase allowed in British usage. Apart from this usage, use “got” –has got –have got –had got.
Another note on usage; “Gotten” is quite common in American English as the past participle of “get”.
We Nigerians follow the British Standard English (BSE). Note also: Celebrant, Celebrator please, reserve “celebrat for some who conducts a religious rite, e.g. a priest, a Pastor, an Alfa or an Immam. E.g. Rev. Father Mbaka was the celebrant of the mass.
Use “celebrator “for someone having a good time, enjoying himself. E.g. The celebrators kept the party going until 6: am.
Re or subject?
“Re” (Subject): Why we wish our President dead.– The PUNCH my news.com page, January 31st, 2017. Note on usage: “RE”, use no full stop. It is not an abbreviation of “regarding” or “referring to”, as many people appear to think, but the Alblative case of the Iatin “ res”, and, therefore, a complete word—Re. The full phrase is “in re”, a legal term, meaning “in the matter of”. I studied Latin in secondary school for good six years (1957-1962).
Today, “Re” has given place to “subject”, or “subject matter”. Besides, today you can use “about”, “regarding” or “with reference to” (not “Re”).
Rtd or Retd?
The family of “late” (the late) S.F. Akanbi commiserates with the Adebiyi Famiy on the passing away of our husband, Father and Uncle, Captain Augustine Adekunle Adebiyi “Rtd” (Ret/Retd).
Captain “Rtd” (Ret/Retd) Engineer Adekunle Adebiyi, was born on January 2, 1939 and died on January 22, 2017.—Obituary, The PUNCH, February 2, 2017.
More grease to your elbows or more power to their elbows?
P.P.M.C. Depot community Alesa Eleme hails the new Area Manager, Engineer (Mrs.) Grace Akujobi Emetuche and the new Depot Manager, Mr. S.A. Ayinde. Just a few weeks in office, the new P.P.M.C. Area and new Depot Manager “has” (have) brought total sanity to the operations of the Depot. All the trapped or pending bulk tickets “has” (have) been loaded and cleared out. Expenses at the depot ‘has” (have) been reduced to the “bearest” (barest) minimum and “marketers” (marketeers) now load “as at when” (when) due without unnecessary stress and delays.
Sir, Ngechu Obele (JP) noted that the monthly loading programmes at the Port Harcourt Depot is now running smoothly for the first time “since after” (in) 10 years, giving a “plain level field” (level playing field) for all marketers so that there is no discrimination “amongst” (among) dealers at the depot.
Sir, Ngechu Obele, who thanked the management of the NNPC for posting the new Area and Depot Managers to rescue the situation at the Port Harcourt from its erstwhile deplorable state, noted that marketers who left to patronize private tank farms have now “returned back” (returned) for their usual business, adding that the cordial relationship with the host communities of Eleme and Okrika ‘have” (has) been consolidated upon by the new handlers of the Depot.
“more grease to your elbows” (More power to your elbow or their elbows!). – REFORMS, a quarter – page press Release by PPMC, The PUNCH, February 3, 20107.
But Mr. Anthony Akah is not alone in “pointing fingers” (pointing the finger) at the Discos. – The PUNCH EDITORIAL, February 2, 2017. Special notes on grammar and usage: – “a level playing field” (Briticism) – “a level playing ground” (Americanism) while “a plain level field” is Nigerianism! “To point the finger at someone” is Briticism while “to point accusing finger at someone” is Nigerianism.