The use of incorrect grammar is evident in most Nigerian police stations, as they display a blatant disregard for proper language use. The phrase “Police is your friend” is a fatally incorrect phrase that should be corrected. The correct phrasing should be “Police are your friends.” Additionally, it is important to note that the correct usage is “police command is” and “police force is,” not “police command are” and “police force are.” When referring to a single police officer, it is acceptable to say “the policeman/woman is your friend.” It is crucial for readers to understand these distinctions, and if any clarification is needed, please feel free to contact me via any communication platform.
In Nigeria, there are two exceptions to the perception of police friendliness: Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fayoade M. Adegoke. These two individuals have outstanding grammaticality and interpersonal skills that are unmatched in their profession. They are widely recognized for their humility and persuasive use of language, which is both disarming and profound. It would not be surprising if the Lagos State Police Commissioner eventually becomes the Inspector-General of Police due to his impressive professionalism, competence, and overall dedication to service. Other police officers across the country should strive to emulate these two gentlemen. I hold them in high regard and commend their exemplary work.
Adegoke’s exceptional policing in Lagos has resulted in a peaceful and safe environment throughout the city. Officers and members of the police command credit his choice of words as a magical tool in achieving this success.
The July 20th edition of Leadership showcases a spelling error in their report about the banking reforms, stating that it “brought in its trail casualities and survivors.” The correct spelling is “casualties.”
DAILY INDEPENDENT, in their April 16th publication, made four blunders. They asked the question, “Can certain traits be transfered from one state to another?” The correct spelling is “transferred.” Additionally, they mistakenly wrote “many children have became orphans,” when the correct word should be “become.” Lastly, their headline “Black Wednesday as Benue Revenue Office razed” requires clarification as it is unclear what the phrase “razed” means in this context.
World Bank commends Nigeria for its efforts in reducing maternal deaths, rather than using the prepositions “over,” “on,” or “for.” (Source: as above)
TRIBUNE, on April 11th, made an uncommon mistake in their report. They wrote, “Within the party, there have been a series of movement.” The correct usage should be “movements.”
Another error can be found in the same publication, where they stated, “The recurring shipwrecks on the Lagos water has resulted in the erosion of choice beach lands.” The correct phrasing should be “have resulted.”
In an article published on THE NATION COMMENT Page on April 11, the phrase “people prepare themselves to a heavy downpour this year” should be rephrased to “people should prepare themselves for a heavy downpour.”
BUSINESSDAY, on July 11th, made a statement that lacks credibility. They claimed that “the nation’s electricity generating capacity has reached 4,000 megawatts,” while stakeholders and consumers argue that the figure is false and has actually dropped to “less than 3,600 megawatts.” It is important to note that a reduction from 4,000 to 3,600 cannot be considered a “nosedive,” but rather a slight drop. Let us avoid using exaggerated language.
For readers seeking the meaning of the word “sic,” it is an adverb that means “thus.” It is added in brackets after a word or expression in a quotation to indicate that it has been quoted correctly. (Source: The New Lexicon Webster’s Dictionary of The English Language).
Vanguard, on July 15th, made three headline blunders. They wrote “New Edo lawmaker sworn-in,” which should be “New Edo lawmaker sworn in” as phrasal verbs like “stave off” and “swear in” should not be hyphenated. In another headline, they stated “Relocation of varsity: Only 2 people die in protest Police,” which should be revised to “Relocation of varsity: Only 2 persons die in protest Police,” as “persons” is the correct term. Lastly, the headline “A money bag threw some wads of naira notes into the air. A politician’s campaign tragedy: A money-bags” should be revised to “A moneybag threw some wads of naira notes into the air. A politician’s campaign tragedy: A moneybags.”
The Guardian, on February 16th, also made two headline errors. They wrote “PENGASSAN is not aversed to PIB, says Ogun” when it should be “averse to” instead of “aversed to.” Additionally, the headline “Obasanjo, Atiku condole victims’ families” should be revised to “Obasanjo, Atiku console victims’ families.”
UI Lagos alumni restructure, as reported in THE PUNCH on February 14th, should be changed to “Alumni restructure” or “alumni association restructures.” It is important to avoid mix-ups in terminology.
In another publication by Daily Independent Online on February 14th, the phrase “Atiku overated himself” should be corrected to “Atiku overrated himself.”
In the Nigerian Tribune, on July 13th, the sentence “I said there is no more monolithic north” should be revised to “I said there was no more monolithic north.”
According to a source on Ministry drafts health officials to cholera-infested areas, it is essential to use hyphenation in the term “cholera-infested areas” as it significantly impacts the lexicon and structure.
A full-page advert by First Bank with the phrase “Promoting values based leadership” should be revised to “Promoting value-based leadership.”
To eradicate the level of illiteracy in the state, it is important to emphasize that we can only reduce illiteracy. Even the most educated nation in the world has a percentage of the population that is illiterate. Some individuals are either circumstantially or naturally uneducable.
In reference to the Tafawa Balewa crisis, the proper phrase should be “Governor’s soothing balm” as the purpose of balm is to soothe.
A fake journalist was arrested in Imo with 4,054 voter’s cards, indicating a singular possessive form of “voter’s.”
Students invest in science lab rehabilitation rather than “on” science lab rehabilitation.
Previously published in my archives, a headline stating “Dozens feared dead as Obaseki flags-off campaign in Benin” should be revised to “Dozens feared dead as Obaseki launches campaign in Benin.” The phrase “feared dead” does not provide any meaningful information.
The phrase “Voter registration: A post mortem” should be modified to “Voter registration: An analysis” as “post-mortem” is a medical term.
In an article discussing adverse consequences of poverty, it is crucial to use the correct phrase “immune from” rather than “immuned from.”
In an article from the NIGERIAN Tribune, the phrase “These are the major factors but there is a final secret with regards” should be revised to “These are the major factors, but there is a final secret with regard to.”
The article states, “Encumbered by the demands by many who need her services, she atimes turn cases to colleagues in Owerri town.” The correct phrase should be “at times” instead of “atimes.”
The Nigerian Tribune incorrectly states, “LAST week Mondays press briefing by the administrator.” The phrase “week” is unnecessary in this construction, making it more concise to say “Last Monday’s press briefing.”
The phrase “Today on the continent, there are all manners of refugees” should be revised to “Today on the continent, there are all manner of refugees.”
The Guardian contains a failed sentence that states, “Extremism had also brought about the death of 37 left-wing intellectuals when the hotel in which they were holding a conference in the central town of Sivas was touched.” The correct word should be “torched” instead of “touched.”
In an article published by DAILY TRUST, the phrase “it needs these props to support its misrule” should be revised to “it needs these props to support its flawed governance,” as the term “misrule” is subjective and may not accurately reflect the intended meaning. Additionally, the phrase “no amount of talks about human rights will make it surrender its very life wire” should be revised to “no amount of talks about human rights will make it surrender its vital lifeline.”
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