(This was one of my favourite topics a long time ago, but so much time has passed that I might not remember all the words).
Preamble
I watched a report on the NTA News sometime around 1989 or 1990 and it annoyed me very much. A world famous British linguist was visiting Nigeria and an NTA reporter interviewed him. He was talking about the different words that were used to refer to the same thing in the different variants of the English Language and the NTA reporter kept asking him which word was correct and which word was wrong. He explained to her that none of the words were wrong, but she just couldn't understand it (she even told the presenter in the studio that a certain word was wrong, even though it wasn't). This annoyed me very much.
There are many Nigerians that behave like that NTA reporter.
English is a living language
English is a living language and the meaning of words change. This is because the people that use the language are alive and contexts change. It is very helpful to know the history of words, then you can understand where they came from.
Variations
As you will see when I start posting the examples, one of the reasons for these differences is because we have different variants of the English Language. We have American English, Australian English, British English, Indian English, Irish English, Nigerian English, etc.
What usually happens is that a word would be used tp describe something in British English and it would be adopted universally, then a new word would be used to describe that same thing and British English would move to the new word, but, for example, Irish English or Nigerian English might still continue using the old word.
That's usually how we get variations.
Now let's jump to the examples and begin with words that are currently being discussed on Nairaland.
In fact, I think I'll write out all the examples so that I don't forget them.
1) Jeep, GP and SUV
2) Soft drink, mineral and soda
3) Football, Assoc and soccer
4) Lip service, eye service
5) Trafficator, turn signal and blinker
1) Jeep, GP and SUV
When I was a kid the kind of vehicle that is often 4-wheel drive, used for rough terrain, etc was universally known as a jeep (small j). The term sports utility vehicle (SUV) came much later.
Years later some people tried to convince me that the term jeep (small j) was wrong because of the word Jeep (capital J). I laughed because I knew the origin of the word.
You might remember when I told you about the origin of the Super Tucano and other COIN aircraft. I told you about the US military specifications. Well the jeep came about in a similar way.
The US military issued specifications and began a contest for a general purpose vehicle. Many companies competed for the contract, but it was won by a small company called Willys.
However, Willys was too small to build the number of the vehicles that the military wanted, so the military made them share the contract with the Ford Motor Company. Therefore, both Ford and Willys built this vehicle for the US Army in World War 2.
The soldiers loved the vehicle because it was 4-wheel drive and rugged and it could also easily be fixed on the battlefield. Remember that I told you that the contract was for a general purpose vehicle? Well the soldiers shortened this to GP and from that the slang jeep was formed. The word jeep was a military slang for a general purpose vehicle.
Interestingly, General Motors also produced the vehicle at some point, but Willys was eventually taken over by Chrysler (this means that at various times the American big 3 automobile companies, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler produced the Willy's jeep). The Willys company took the soldiers' slang and turned it into a brand Jeep (capital J).
Therefore the word jeep is both a generic term for a general purpose vehicle and a brand name. It was first a generic term before it became a brand name. You capitalise the first letter when you are referring to a brand and you don't capitalise it when you are using the generic term.
I learnt this as far back as 1985/1986 and so it was funny to me when people were trying to tell me in 1999 that I was wrong.
The Willy's jeep was very successful and many countries tried to copy it. The original Land Rover Series was created in 1948 (after the Second World War) and it was referred to as a jeep, the Land Cruiser was created in 1951 and it was referred to as a jeep etc.
2) Soft drink, mineral, soda:
It annoys me when people keep asking which of these words is correct. They are all correct!
As I said, these words were used in British English at some point in time. Some variants of the language retained some words and others did not.
It's usually referred to as soft drink in British English, soda in American English, etc. I have a theory about why it's referred to as mineral in Nigerian English, but I'm not sure if I'm right.
It's also referred to as mineral in Irish English and a lot of the teachers at Catholic mission schools in Nigeria during the Colonial Era were Irish, so I suspect that they taught their students to refer to it as mineral.
Anyway, all those words are correct.
3) Football, Assoc, Soccer:
Football was a very popular sport in England and everybody called it football. However, today we know that there are different football codes. It was the creation of one of those codes that led to the word soccer.
They were playing football one day at Rugby school when a student called William Web Ellis picked up the ball, carried it and ran with it. That was the birth of rugby football.
Fans of normal football wanted a way to differentiate their sport from rugby, so they began calling it association football. So you had association football and rugby football. These were later shortened. Association football was called assoc and then soccer, while rugby was called rugger (rugby is still called rugger today). Over time the British (and most other people) stopped calling it soccer, but the Americans, South Africans and a few others continued calling it soccer.
4) Lip service and eye service:
Once upon a time someone was arguing and telling me that the term eye service was wrong, that it was only used by Nigerians and that it should be lip service. I told him to open his bible to Ephesians 6:6 and Colossians 3:22 and read those verses for me.
5) Trafficator, turn signal, blinker, etc:
People have also told me that there is no such thing as trafficator. Of course there is.
In the early days of the automobile there was a device that was attached to the vehicle. This device could be extended when you want to turn and it had a flashing orange light. That is a trafficator. The device is no longer used and the orange light is pernanently fixed to the body of the vehicle but Nigerians still use the word trafficator, because they all perform the same function.
Chinua Achebe and German Igbo:
There was a guy that seriously annoyed me. You see, Chinua Achebe said something that made perfect sense, but this guy wrote an article to argue with Professor Achebe, but he made no sense at all. I believe the problem is low self esteem.
Professor Achebe had explained that there was something called Nigerian English, but this guy wrote to dispute that claim.
He said that there was nothing like Nigerian English, there's only correct English and wrong English (doesn't that remind you of the NTA reporter at the beginning of this post?). He said that if there was Nigerian English, then how come there is no "German Igbo"? I couldn't believe that someone could fail to understand something so simple.
There is no German-Igbo because the Igbo language is not widely spoken in Germany. There would have been German Igbo if it was widely spoken.
Take the post that I created a few days ago. Many Nigerians were shocked to discover an account that is run by a Togolese girl. She speaks Yoruba in all her videos. I wasn't shocked. I attended a funeral in Togo years ago and they mainly spoke Yoruba at that funeral. But the Yoruba is slightly different. It is Togolese Yoruba.
There is Canadian-French, Brazilian-Yoruba, American-English, etc. Of course there is Nigerian-English!
It was trending on X News this morning (I was more interested in the other parts of the engagement, but X News brought this to me). The responses were very entertaining.
Mr Peter Obi answered questions from his followers on social media yesterday night. One of the followers asked him how he would solve the problem of insecurity. She said that it has gotten worse since the last election.
Peter Obi told her that he was on a British Airways flight a long time ago when he was governor and that a Lagos State official was on the same flight. He said that she wanted to use the toilet, but it was messed up, so she came back. He said that he went to the toilet and by the time she went to the toilet again it had been cleaned.
He said that the Lagos State official told a minister and other people about what happened.
Hi there, we do usually keep disinfectant wipes in our toilets on board. If you've experienced any issues, please send us a DM with more information so we can feed this back to the relevant teams. Jay
‘I’m Contesting 2027 Presidency, Not Learning Governance To Be Vice President’ –Peter Obi
December 29, 2025
Obi made the declaration on Sunday night while speaking during an X Spaces discussion, where he addressed supporters and clarified his political ambitions.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential poll.
Obi made the declaration on Sunday night while speaking during an X Spaces discussion, where he addressed supporters and clarified his political ambitions.
The former governor of Anambra State stated that he would only be running for president, firmly ruling out the possibility of serving as a running mate to any candidate.
According to him, his years of preparation and exposure to governance were not aimed at occupying the office of vice-president.
“I am not travelling round the world to learn governance to be Vice president,” Obi said.
“I know how to turn Nigeria around. I built my business from scratch and have more experience than any candidate, including the sitting President.”
He expressed confidence that “Peter Obi will be on the ballot in 2027,” adding, “I need your support. I need your prayers.”
Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, where he emerged as a strong challenger to the two dominant parties, drawing significant support from young voters and urban centres across the country.
Following the election, Obi and the Labour Party contested the outcome, alleging irregularities in the process. However, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and later the Supreme Court upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu.
Before his 2023 presidential run, Obi served two terms as governor of Anambra State. He was the state governor from March 17, 2006 until his impeachment on November 3, 2006. However, he was reinstated on February 9, 2007 and continued his tenure until 2010. He was re-elected for a second term which ended on March 7, 2014.
He had earlier contested as the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 general election and has since remained active in national political discourse ahead of 2027.
I Will Be On The Ballot In 2027 As Presidential Candidate Not As Vice-President — Peter Obi
Dayo Dickson December 29, 2025
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has confirmed that he will be contesting again during the 2027 elections. Speaking during a X Space on Sunday night, the ex-governor of Anambra State also insisted that he will not be a running mate to anybody.
According to Obi, he has not garnered all the experience he has, only to end up as a vice-president.
“I am not travelling round the world to learn governance to be Vice president,” Obi said.
““I know how to turn Nigeria around. I built my business from scratch and have more experience than any candidate, including the sitting President.
“Peter Obi will be on the ballot in 2027. I need your support. I need your prayers.”
The Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, also dismissed claims that he is a newcomer in the African Democratic Party (ADC), insisting that he is a bona fide member of the coalition party.
According to him, he has been an integral part of the ADC since its formation, contrary to suggestions by critics questioning his membership and role within the party.
The former Anambra State governor said he had actively supported the party over the years, citing his public campaign and endorsement of Dr Mo for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship position in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Obi further stated that his involvement in the ADC-led coalition was not driven by personal ambition or the quest for power, but by a commitment to ensuring that Nigeria works for all its citizens.]
“I am not in this coalition to grab power. I am here because I want to make Nigeria work,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to focus on building a credible political alternative anchored on competence, accountability and service, rather than being distracted by misinformation and partisan attacks.
He's one of the founding members of the coalition from day one. Peter Obi participated in all the meetings of the coalition. He's satisfied that things are going to be done differently, and the core principle is to serve Nigerians, not to grab power for any group. Nigeria needs a unifying and rejigged leadership to set Nigeria in a new direction. With Peter Obi; A New Nigeria is POssible ✅️
Dear Nigerians, I present to you H.E. Peter Gregory Obi for PRESIDENT 2027.
A president who won’t outsource our security or act on bad intelligence. Peter Obi will act decisively, lawfully, and with precision, protecting civilians while dismantling terror.
So Peter Obi’s supporters are now confirming that he is joining the ADC. I remember when I first mentioned this about two months ago, his people were all over me, disputing it and insisting that Peter would not leave the Labour Party. Next, they will come here again to confirm that he has agreed to deputize Atiku Abubakar. By Allah’s grace, we will be alive to see it all unfold.
Oseloka Henry Obaze worked in Nigeria's diplomatic service and then worked for the United Nations from 1991 till 2012. In 2012 he became the secretary to the Anambra State Government in the administration of Governor Peter Obi.
He contested the 2017 Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the PDP and he was supported by Mr Peter Obi.
Oseloka Obaze was a member of Peter Obi's presidential campaign council ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
He left the Labour Party 8 months ago and disengaged from politics.
Oseloka H. Obaze (OHO) @OselokaHObaze
Eight months ago, I disengaged from partisan politics and from my erstwhile political party on grounds of principles. Today, I wish to announce that I'm now a proud card-carrying member of ADC. We walk the talk. We must Rethink and Reunite Nigeria. Much work lies ahead. -OHO
Ismaeel Uthman and Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis December 28, 2025 12:00 am
A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is set to formally join the African Democratic Congress amid ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A principal official of the party in Abuja told Sunday PUNCH that Obi had concluded plans to join the party and hold a declaration rally in Enugu, the political capital of the South-East, on December 31.
According to the official, Obi’s supporters and loyalists have begun arrangements for the defection.
The source disclosed that Obi, after the ADC asked him to make up his mind on joining the party about three weeks ago, met with the National Chairman of the party, David Mark, to renew his allegiance to the coalition.
He said the party’s position might have convinced the former Anambra State governor to finally decide to join the ADC.
On December 7, the ADC, while reacting to a statement credited to Obi in which he described the party as unstable, told the presidential hopeful to make up his mind on whether or not to join the coalition.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the party source said, “We are aware that Peter Obi is making plans to declare for the ADC on December 31 in Enugu. Although he has yet to formally inform the party, the plans are genuine.”
Asked why Obi would prefer to declare for the coalition in Enugu instead of Anambra, his home state, the party official said, “Enugu is the political capital of the South-East. Obi is representing the region, not just his state. That must have informed his decision.”
But the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said he could not confirm Obi’s planned defection.
“The point is that there is no official announcement yet. But consultations are ongoing,” he said.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, declined to comment directly on the matter, insisting that only Obi could speak on it.
But the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party has downplayed Obi’s planned defection.
The National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said the party would refrain from making any definitive pronouncement on the matter until Obi personally speaks on it.
He said, “We cannot fully comment on that until we hear from Obi. As we normally say, anybody can defect from anywhere to anywhere. It is normal in Nigerian politics. Labour Party doesn’t see it as a big deal.”
According to Ifoh, any decision by Obi to leave the party would be driven by personal ambition rather than institutional failure, adding that the Labour Party would continue to thrive regardless.
While reiterating that the party harboured no ill feelings, the LP spokesman said it would have been preferable for Obi to remain within the fold and work through any disagreements internally.
He said, “But the wisest thing for him to do is to stay back and work with the party that gave him the spread he got in 2023. He should try to reconcile with the party leadership and move on from there. But if he prefers to jump from one party to another, we wish him all the best.”
ADC plans convention to pick presidential candidate
Meanwhile, the ADC will hold its national convention mid-2026 as part of broader efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party spokesman, Abdullahi, who disclosed this to one of our correspondents on Saturday, said the party was currently focused on nationwide mobilisation, membership expansion and internal consolidation.
He said the immediate priority of the party was to build a “solid organisational framework” across the country, stressing that ongoing membership registration would form the foundation for future congresses and conventions.
He explained that 2026 would be a defining year for the party, particularly as preparations for the selection of a presidential candidate would significantly alter the political landscape and energise party activities nationwide.
He said, “Don’t forget that by June or July, at the latest, we must have a presidential candidate. That will also add to the momentum and redraw the political dynamic.
“Once a presidential candidate emerges and you see people also coming up to contest the governorship election, it will change the momentum,” he stated.
According to him, the current pace of political activity within the party should not be mistaken for a lack of preparedness, as election-year dynamics typically trigger heightened engagement.
On whether a specific date had been fixed for the ADC’s national convention, Abdullahi said discussions were ongoing but clarified that the party planned to hold two conventions in 2026.
“We will have the first convention to ratify the decisions that the NEC has taken this year. We will have another one to decide our next presidential candidate. That will come towards the middle of the year. But I cannot give you a definite date for now,” he said.
Car Talk › Re: FRSC!!! There Is No Such Thing As A Lexus Jeep by naptu2: 7:49am On Dec 30, 2025
