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From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
A Professor of Sociolinguistics and Psycholinguistics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Chris Agbedo, has decried the manipulation of language, warning that its distortion could undermine effective communication and breed societal misunderstanding.
He raised the concern in Nsukka yesterday while delivering UNN’s 255th Inaugural Lecture, entitled ‘WordMatters: Sociolinguistic Calculus as a Praxis for Interrogating Linguistic Banditry and Banditisation of Nigeria’.
He stressed the need for greater public awareness of the power of language and the far-reaching consequences of its deliberate misuse, particularly in public discourse, where distorted expressions could mislead audiences, manipulate perceptions and undermine meaningful communication.
According to him, information about the nation’s crises, whether in the economy, judiciary, religion or security, is not only political or structural but also profoundly discursive.
“Nigeria’s predicament is, at its deepest level, a crisis of language ethics, where political leaders declare half-truths as policy, and citizens internalise linguistic manipulation as a Nija cruise. Then, communication itself becomes complicit in the reproduction of oppression.
“What we describe as banditry in the forest also exists in the corridors of power, bureaucracy, academia and business. It takes the form of linguistic banditry, where people deliberately distort and manipulate words to conceal wrongdoing, mislead others and give false meanings to their actions,” he said.
Agbedo called on Nigerians, including politicians, academics, artisans, teachers, traders, journalists and judicial officers, to embrace responsible language use, uphold truth and integrity in communication, and desist from deliberately distorting words to mislead the public or conceal wrongdoing.
The lecturer, who teaches in the Department of Linguistics, Igbo and Other Nigerian Languages, Faculty of Arts, called for partnerships with technology companies such as Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft to develop and commercialise the patented linguistic infrastructure.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Kamoru Usman, said inaugural lectures were a significant academic tradition that provided a platform for scholars to showcase their research contributions, share knowledge and advance intellectual discourse on issues of societal importance.
Earlier, the Enugu State NYSC Coordinator, Oluwakemi Awolola, disclosed that 1,900 prospective corps members, comprising 862 males and 1,038 females, had registered for the orientation exercise.
She urged them to take the programme seriously, stressing that discipline, obedience to camp regulations and respect for constituted authority were essential to a successful service year.
Awolola commended the state government and the Community and Social Development Agency for supporting the scheme, particularly through water reticulation across camp hostels and rehabilitation of toilet facilities.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, Uchenna Okolo, urged the corps members to leave positive footprints in their host communities and be worthy ambassadors of their families, Enugu State and Nigeria.
Justice A.O. Onovo, who represented the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena, urged them to uphold good character, stressing that the greatest legacy they could leave behind was a good name.
