Make-believe, Not “Make-belief”

Expression By Ebere Wabara

Welcome to our language clinic: “Man arrested for parading half‑naked girls.” The phrase “half naked” is ungrammatical in Nigerian English; the correct expression is “scantily‑clad girls.”

“Trailer crushes 2 to death in Benue.” I am always amazed when I see this kind of headline. A trailer cannot crush someone and have them survive unless there is some extraordinary circumstance. Therefore, “trailer crushes 2 in Benue” is more accurate.

“FG plans review of revenue sharing (revenue‑sharing) formula.”

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.” (Full‑page advertorial by the Government of Enugu State, Nigeria) Another common interjection is “rest in peace (RIP).” The phrase “peace” is not imperfect.

“…on the occasion of his centenary birthday anniversary yesterday…” Please delete “anniversary,” which is redundant when “birthday” is already used.

“Payback period is between 3‑10 years.” (Full‑page advertisement by Access Bank) The phrase should read “between 3 and 10 years” or “from 3 to 10 years.”

“As long as life and memory lasts (last) (a coma) you are always in our hearts.”

“Rest on in the bosom of the Lord…”

“Achuba said the feud has (had) led to the stoppage of his salaries…”

“But Owelle Okorocha has consistently maintained that he was being witch‑hunted.”

“Leboku festival: Cross River partner (partners) 12 communities.”

“Flying Eagles invitee (player) joins Watford.” Still on Nigerian creations: the word “invitee” is not used in formal writing.

“Condolence by in‑laws, friends and well‑wishers continue.” The correct phrasing is “condolences continue” or “condolences are continuing.”

“…disclosed that there was no way he could have stolen what was non‑existent.”

Abuja’s melting point (pot) of darkness, light.

“Something happened recently in Oyo State a few days ago…”

“SIFAX Group invests…on cane.”

“WebTv stations now require licence to broadcast in Nigeria.” Truth and reason: “licence” (noun) should be used, not “license” (verb), in standard English. The excerpt is an American corruption of the word that does not distinguish between noun and verb forms.

“…should be licensed to bring sanity into the industry.” (Source: as above)

“Borno governor meets with Tinubu over upsurge in Boko Haram attacks.” Delete “with” on grounds of redundancy.

“The fraudsters, majority based in Nigeria, were involved in a series of coordinated (would it have been uncoordinated?) scams running into millions of dollars fraudulently obtained from victims in the United States and other parts of the world.”

“My medical background often impacts on the kind of movies I produce.”

“I thank President Bola Tinubu, GCFR (another comma) whose benevolence and love for Akwa Ibom State has (have) been demonstrated in (by) this appointment…” ‘Love’ is a gargantuan entity on its own and cannot be collapsed into singularity with another equally phenomenal concept as typified by ‘benevolence.’

“Your achievements in our dear state, especially in the area of good governance (another comma) have been very impactful in (on) the lives of our people.”

“…but also solve the (sic) youth unemployment problem, reduce poverty and create wealth.” ‘Unemployment’ is a problem on its own and does not require any otiose embellishment like ‘problem.’ A rewrite: but also solve youth unemployment, reduce poverty and create wealth.

“…I heartily congratulate our worthy and outstanding brother on your (his—going by the context of the message) as the (a) minister‑designate Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Wrong: well deserved appointment. Right: well‑deserved appointment.

The same thing applies to this: “God fearing man”—which means, as it is, that God fears man! Get it right: God‑fearing man.

“…as you have always made something out of nothing…”

“Experts urge government to introduce more market‑friendly reforms.”

“How to check influx of contraband—Stakeholders” (Source: as above). Instead of “smuggled goods,” use “contraband,” which is uncountable.

“PPA: Magodo residents commend Ikeja Electric over improved power supply.”

“…yes I admit that most of them are from my tribe (ethnic group)….” ‘Tribe’ is derogatory!

“Nobody was surprised because it is (they are) his usual antics more so for a man well known for his theatrics.”

“Uzodinma reassures on new Imo.” Who did he reassure?

“The struggle for the creation of Enugu State came into (to) limelight following the sustained agitation against social justice meted…”

“The feeling is that many don’t want to be seen to take a position which would be interpreted as confrontational and as such they have resulted (resorted) to lobbying prominent figures outside government to…”

“These 17 luxury cars and SUVs of the former governor, which will make any Arabian sheik grin (green or green with envy), are parked in his GRA Jos adopted home.”

“The actual name of the person expected to chair (chair/preside over) this occasion is…”

Wrong: atimes; right: at times (two words).

“Those who have the power to release the suspect but are passing the bulk (buck) to the courts should be informed that it is against the national interest to refuse to release…”

“The former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala, explained that it was not the first time that banks would be liquidated and that the history of bank failure in the country dated (dates) back to 1958 or 1959.” Note: “dates back to” or “dates back from” is a stock expression.

“In reaction to the leaflets being circulated, the Kano State Commissioner of Police…made a radio and television broadcast telling the people to ignore the leaflets which