‘Funeral Obsequies’ Wrong

Expression

Ebere Wabara

ON this especial day, Leadership of September 1 welcomes us with numerous wrongdoings: “He said the police command has (had) no hand in his release from the kidnappers….”

“…the management of NIBSS said frequent cases of bank fraud has (had—not even ‘cases…have’ let alone ‘has’!) escalated due to the cashless policy introduced by the CBN some years ago.”

“Subsidy removal: Passengers demand for 50 percent cut in (on) train fares” And this: delete ‘for’ to ensure trip safety!

Wrong: Funeral obsequies; right: obsequies

“Nigeria in search for (of) an enduring political structure…”

Next is THISDAY of August 26 with three wrongs: “RSU: Fubara orders investigation over (into) robbery attack on female students”

“The Bull (Glo) in the game altered permutations, sparked fierce competition amongst (among) mobile operators….” ‘Amongst’ and ‘amidst’ belong to old school!

“Nigeria’s GDP growth slows to 2.51% amid economic crisis (crises)”

“The dazed nominee said he does (did) not know….”

“…the agreement the government freely entered (entered into) with them in 2009.”

“Central to the current crisis are (is) the Federal Government’s reluctance in paying lecturers earned allowances that cover responsibilities and post graduate (postgraduate) supervision allowances.”

“The head of a department oversees students’ problems ranging from registration, collection of results, and (to) other academic challenges.”

Next is Daily Trust of September 1 which struck three slip-ups: “The N100 billion the Federal Government has given to universities for infrastructural development is barely enough to scratch the problem at (on) the surface.”

“…the fact that frequent strikes leading to delayed re-opening (reopening) of tertiary institutions are dangerous time-bombs for both the innocent and the guilty.” ASUU strikes and future of Nigeria’s education: there are no safe/harmless…time-bombs—so, yank away ‘dangerous’!

“Tough times continues (why?) as ad investment drops again”

“NDDC boss commissions (must it be this particular word every time?) projects in Edo”

“10 couples stand a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to any of these….” (DStv half-page advertisement) This is exclusively for Multi-Choice Nigeria: all-expenses-paid trip

Finally from Daily Trust this judgment day: “And with the disparate opposition looking to have gotten its acts (act) together….”

“Unity in Igboland (Igbo land) and Disapora” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Online, September 1) Spell-check: Diaspora

“Recently, the duty has been (duty was) transferred to the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.” (THE NATION, September 1)

“Since most of the expected fund (funds) would be invested in equities and fixed income (fixed-income) instruments….”

“It is obvious that the PDP is at crossroads in Anambra” (THE NATION POLITICS, September 4): Get it right: at a/the crossroads

“We are happy to report that Kaduna is fast turning into investors’ heaven (haven).”

THISDAY of September 4 wobbled right from its front page to advertorials: “…all the issues that had led to the break up (breakup/break-up) of the party.”

“THISDAY learnt that though Senate President Godswill Akpabio may have no issues for now insofar he remains neutral over the ensuing crisis in the APC.” Truth & Reason: insofar as he….

“With U-Care Savings Account, you are able to plan ahead for your child’s school fees and save yourself the worries associated with a new school term. Open a U-Care Account today and you could access a loan facility to supplement your child’s school fees. Other benefits include (are) attractive interest rate, e-banking and a beautiful gift for your child.” (Full-page advertisement by UBA) The usage of ‘include’, instead of ‘are’, means that there are other unlisted benefits undisclosed to the prospective customer! And this: ‘e-banking’ is no longer a benefit or an incentive, but a given value-added service!

“A pacesetter per excellon (sic)!” I hope that the pronunciation of ‘par excellence’ did not mislead the copywriter.

“And back to your private business, you never loose (lose) your charm, poise, elegance, grace, service to humanity and daint (dint) of hardwork (hard work).”

“Select your preffered Goodybag below….” (Full-page advertisement by MTN) Everywhere you go: preferred!

The next four infractions are from another full-page advertisement by Charles Dale Memorial International School: “May we share our (share with you our) vision for your child’s education.”

“Our curriculum is geared towards unlocking the potentials in our students.” Bereton Montessori: ‘potential’ is non-count.

“From inception, they are exposed to progressive learning built on a foundation of home spun (home-spun) values.”

“In all we do, we seek to be a world class (world-class) citadel of learning with a reputation for excellence.” How not to groom future leaders!

Let us move to the COMMENT section of THISDAY of September 4: “Sometime in 2011 when I made up my mind to once again return to journalism after several years of absence from active practice….” Delete ‘once again’ which cannot co-function with ‘return’.

“…I approached the former Editorial Page Editor, Miss… (another comma) to intimate her of (to) my intention to begin a weekly column on the Op-Ed pages (Page).”

“…Brown said it was not surprising that there are (were) challenges of access to education….”

“…because even in advance (advanced) countries where e-commerce started….”

Lastly from THISDAY DIPLOMACY & DIASPORA Page: “…agricultural products and machineries….” ‘Machinery’ is non-count.

“With GTBank’s online Foreign Exchange transfer platform, you can consummate all your FX transactions from your domiciliary account on either your Smart Phones, Ipads, Android and laptops from wherever you are. Its (It’s) simple, fast and secure.” ‘Either’ refers to two entities—not four items. The same rule applies to ‘neither’.

Who will tell news managers in FRCN that ‘cattle’ is non-count? (Source: 7 a.m. Bulletin, September 4)

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of September 3 offered readers this juvenile blunder: “Why Nollywood marriages breakdown (break down) is mainly because….”