₦airaland Forum

10 Most Annoying Nigerian Media English Expressions
By Farooq A. Kperogi

Contemporary Nigerian media English, for the most part, derives from a fetid repertoire of aggravatingly stereotyped and error-ridden phraseology. I have isolated 10 recurrent ones that particularly grate on my nerves.

While some of the expressions I have highlighted below are outright grammatically incorrect, others are grammatically correct but either laughably outdated or hopelessly clichéd. Either way, they all need to be dumped like “the verbal refuse” that they are. The numbering of the expressions is entirely arbitrary; it doesn’t indicate a hierarchical ordering of their egregiousness.

1.“Remains deposited at the mortuary.” This is almost the standard expression in Nigerian media English to say that a dead body has been delivered at the mortuary. There are two problems with this expression. First, the word “remains” is too formal for a news story. “Corpse” and “dead body” are the more usual words. And “deposit” is a singularly quaint verb to associate with death, especially in popular usage.

There are three principal senses of the word “deposit” in conversational English. The first and most popular is to put money or other valuables in a bank account. The second sense is to put, fix, force or implant something, as in “deposit a bullet in the table.” And the third sense is to situate something, that is, to put something somewhere firmly, as in “deposit the suitcase on the bench.” It’s unclear how this expression sprang in Nigerian media English, but it makes me sick to my stomach.

2.“Hear him,” or “in his words:” These are not strictly grammatically incorrect expressions; they are just ugly, inappropriate and superfluous verbiages. The convention in journalistic writing globally is to quote a source and acknowledge attribution by writing “(s)he said” at the end of a sentence. Example: “I hope Yar’adua lives long enough to save us from a potentially destructive constitutional crisis,” he said.

Now, when Nigerian newspaper journalists write “hear him,” they are not only being superfluous; they are also being unfaithful to the medium in which they write. We don’t literally “hear” people in print; we read them. And to write “in his words” while at the same time inserting quotation marks to those words is redundant. It is precisely because you’re quoting your source “in his words” that the sentence is in quotation marks. It’s, of course, appropriate to write “in his words” in broadcast scripts since they are meant to be read out.

3.“As at the time of filing this report:” Well, the correct expression, which is actually a fixed prepositional phrase, is “AS OF,” not “as at.” So, that sentence should read: “As of the time of filing this report.” This solecism has sadly percolated deep into the conventions of Nigerian English in general.

4.“Men of the underworld”: This expression has lost currency in other parts of the English-speaking world. But my gripe with it is that it’s a hackneyed, flyblown cliché that evinces the intellectual laziness of Nigerian journalists. Why not simply write “criminals”?


To be continued...

N43,700Per SessionLAW/ARTS/SOCIAL SCIENCES/ADMIN/EDU. ARTS
N54,700Per SessionSCIENCE/EDM/EDUC. SCIENCE/TECH/AGRIC
N57,700Per SessionMEDICINE/PHARMACY/HEALTH SCIENCES
And a Development Levy of Eighteen thousand naira (N18, 000.00), which is paid once and for all by Fresh Students throughout the duration of their studentship in the University.

seyifunmi111:
please how much is oau school fees now

I doubt if some of the stations you listed have not went on UNDERFUNDING exile??

OAU celebrates latest varsity ranking
For the fourth consecutive time, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has been adjudged the best in curricular, research, academic and general administration of the university system.
A statement issued and signed by its Public Relations Officer of OAU, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the latest ranking of the university by an internationally acclaimed institute, cybermetrics of Spain, has confirmed that adequate knowledge is passed on to the students while in the school.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Bamitale Omole, has described the rating as unprecedented, adding that, “this is the first time in the history of university education in Africa where a Nigerian university would be adjudged, rated and ranked the first and the best for the fourth time running.
Omole emphasised the need for the private sector to partner with the government in providing financial and material resources to meet the needs of the universities, particularly in the provision of structural and infrastructure and facilities.
The Vice-Chancellor lauded the dedication to duty of all academic and administrative staff, whose personal and group sacrifice have made the new ranking possible.
He added that his administration would continue to provide the needed leadership to all, adding that training and retraining of staff both locally and internationally would be the his priority.
Omole said that he would not rest on his oars until Obafemi Awolowo University becomes the best university in Africa.
Source; http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/11/oau-celebrates-latest-varsity-ranking/

Thanks for the info,though I have confirmed my name on the merit list. Wishing those xpecting their names on the second list the best,if truly the list will be released today,i think you guys can start hovering through jamb website by 7pm...All the best!

whales2020:
OAU set to release the 2nd batch admission list 2mao... Watchout..though this is d latest rumor on campus#just sharing it with u guys,if it comeout true,oonce u chk alert others...

Cheering news emanating from
the University of Nigeria, Nsukka
(UNN) has it that, the Vice Chancellor
of the University, Prof. Benjamine
Chukwuma Ozumba, has reduced
tuition fees by 50 percent.
The students of the institution
commend the Vice Chancellor for
understanding the plight of students
and in today’s harsh economy.
It would be recalled that the astute
professor made this promise at a
show organized by a
telecommunication network, Etisalat,
on the 8th of August 2014, which he
was invited to make the raffle draw
for the grand prize of a car.
Just before he made the draw, Prof.
Ozumba, who is a professor of
Obstetricis and Gynaecology said: “I
will join Etisalat to package
something for the youths on the
forth-coming International Youth Day
because they are dear to my heart.
The Student Union Government, SUG,
will receive three buses, and I will
cut the tuition fees by 50 percent.”
In the recent publication of the tuition
fees of the institution for the
2014/2015 academic session, the
V.C. ensured that his words came to
reality as the 50% reduction was
reflected.
Reacting to the development, a
student, Wilfred F. Aziegbe. described
the act as compassionate, said:
“Prof. Ozumba is a compassionate
man. He understands the plight of
students and in today’s harsh
economy, just a few would take such
steps.”
“Good things should be commended.
Ozumba’s steps to see tuition fees
reduced, politics or humane, is
commendable.” Said Onyekere
Ifeanyi, a student of Faculty of Arts,
futher projecting his goodness
expressed: “He is doing a good job,
let’s hope he finishes well.”
However, Victor G. Ugwuoke thinks
differently about the development,
according to him: “He enjoys a good
reputation but he is doing it for
political reasons.”
Supporting this assertion, Igiri Israel
said: “I think he intends winning the
hearts of everyone with that.
Everyone has his strategies, perhaps
this is the one Ozumba intends to
employ.” according to him, “he could
have hidden motives.”

This your drama ehhnn,na season film ooooo! *spreads mat*

Timmytimmy:
Do you know the man called Melchizedek?

We always assume he had to be Hebrew but he had no genealogy.

need I say more?

I think you can ...FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE - Bachelor of Science degrees (4 years programme)
Department of Demography and Social Statistics
English Language, Mathematics, one social sciences subject plus two other subjects.
Department of Economics
English Language, Mathematics, Economics plus two of Arts or Social Science subject.
Department of Geography
English, Mathematics, Geography plus two of Arts or Social Science subject.
Department of Political Science
English, Mathematics, Government plus two other subject.
Department of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
English, Mathematics, Government, Economics plus any other subject.
Department of Psychology
English, Mathematics, Biology plus two other subject.
Department of Sociology
UME:English, Mathematics two paper from History, Economics, Geography plus any subject.

luyemee:
can I study psychology?

SaintRobs:
Sorry, No Admission is Given Yet!!! i can't check the aggregate,jst try to add her jamb score,and post jamb together,then divide it by 2.what did she apply for?? So,i can help you post the cut-off mark.

EnglishMerit-270.5CA-265.0Elds-233.0DramaMerit-269.5CA-259.0Elds-248.0Lit-in-engMerit-253.0CA-233.5Elds-200.0FrenchMerit-259CA-236Elds-200GermanMerit-249.5CA-207.5Elds-200PortugueseMerit-226CA-200Elds-200History & His/int. RelMerit-252CA-242Elds-200LinguisticsMerit-258.5CA-251.5Elds- 200YorubaMerit-200CA-200Elds-200MusicMerit-236CA- 233.5Elds-200PhilosophyMerit-260CA- 249.5ELDS-200Rel. StudiesMerit-239CA-200ELDS-200.

Hbd bro,wish you many fruitful years on the surface of the earth...shey na elegushi we dey go ni??

Timmytimmy:
Metu waaaat! ?? Please oh *in YesO's voice* once I'm 100....Let God do the needful, what's in this world?

God bless you abundantly ma'am....
Btw, I thought you were igbo?

understatement:
according to the calendar,we are to resume may 3...nobody knows the amount for acceptance fees yet

The acceptance fee won't be skyrocketed anymore,so we gonna pay #20k as usual cos the inimical of the increament in tution fee is still in the air.

A Federal High Court in Osogbo has today reinstated one of the suspended students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Juwon Sanyaolu and ordered him to return back to school.
The court held that the reason for Sanyaolu’s suspension is not viable enough for him to be suspended indefinitely and should return to school with immediate effect.
Sanyaolu and seven other Students were suspended from school indefinitely by the school management, who said the students are under investigation over the alleged abduction of one Abeeb, the electoral committee chairman in the last held students’ union election.
Sanyaolu took the school management to court to seek redress as he insisted on his innocence over the matter.
The judgment today has given the other Seven students hope as they see it as a landmark ruling that will get them to return back to school.
Commenting on the ruling, the students’ union president, Isaac Ibikunle said, “Com. Juwon has just been reinstated as a student of Obafemi Awolowo University in a landmark judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Osogbo. The struggle continues as we seek full reinstatement for all suspended students.”
Sanyaolu expressed his happiness as he said it is victory for the common man. No statement has been released by the school yet on the matter.

Thanks boss! U're a life saver!

evil999:
he/she should go admission office in sch...and lay a complain on it....70% of those complains are successful.....as long as he/she passed the cut of mark of the department....

Thanks for your post;How can a friend go about being denied admission with 55%,and 196 in his postjamb and jamb respectively?? He even beats the cut off by 2 marks,he is a prospective laboratory science student. Any help or advice from you??

evil999:
Freshers pls drop any question you may like to ask
but not jamb questions oo

Sorry, No Admission is Given Yet!!!

coolshegs10:
no prob...help me check d aggregate..... 47558698EC

i can't check the aggregate,jst try to add her jamb score,and post jamb together,then divide it by 2.what did she apply for?? So,i can help you post the cut-off mark.

Follow the instuction given by the person who quoted you last,or u post/type the jamb reg here,if you don't mind.

coolshegs10:
I don't know how to check that,can you please help me with that?

Many thanks to OP,and the contributors!!!!! You guys 're the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The list is yet to be uploaded on school website,but can be checked on jamb website. ....www.jamb.org.ng
what's her aggregate,if i may ask??

coolshegs10:
My sister scored 219 in her post ume.How will I check her admission status? Her course is English lang.

Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU law students won Chief Wole Olanipekun National Moot & Mock Competition – 2014 Edition.
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State, has lifted the 4th edition of the Chief Wole Olanipekun National Moot & Mock Competition.
The two-day competition organised annually in honour of Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), a former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), featured intense stages of Moot, Debate and the grand finale, Mock Trial.
The OAU edged out the University of Ilorin and four others – University of Abuja, Lagos State University, Babcock University, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, to win the prize.
The six schools were the ones that scaled through preliminaries of the competition nationwide. Of these, four schools progressed from the Moot Stage to the debate stage. Two schools were further eliminated at the debate stage leaving the last two, the host school – OAU and the University of Ilorin – to slug it out at the grand finale which was a mock armed robbery trial in a fashioned court setting.
The representativesof the Obafemi Awolowo University eventually proved too much for their UNILORIN counterparts and the former were unanimously declared winners of the competition by the panel of judges that presided.
The event, organised by Radiant Justice Chambers, a student body in the university’s Faculty of Law, was graced by seasoned legal professionals, including the Executive Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Dr. Anwo J.O; the Acting Chief Justice of Oyo State, Hon. Justice L.M. Abimbola; Dean Faculty of Law, OAU, Prof. M.O Adediran; Justice Adebusoye from the Ondo State Judiciary and a host of others.
The Mock Trial was presided over by sitting judges: Hon Justice D.O. Afolabi, Hon. Justice O.F. Oloyede, Hon. Justice Siyanbola from the Osun State Judiciary and Hon. Justice Ganiyu from the Oyo State judiciary.
Speaking at the event, Chief Olanipekun praised his former classmate and friend, Dean of the Faculty of Law, OAU, Prof. M.O Adediran for his top-notch administration of the faculty as manifested in the quality of its graduates.
He praised the brilliant display of the competing students at the mock trial and urged them not rest on their oars as it would eventually pay off in future.
The Chairman of the Day, Hon. Justice L.M. Abimbola, praised Olanipekun for his immense contributions to the advancement of the legal system and legal education in the country.
Abimbola also praised the Radiant Justice Chambers for the ingenious initiative behind the annual hosting of the programme....GREAT IFE

You meant u've paid that pocket tearing tution fee?? May God help the poor students among you guys!

llove2:
After paying in the bank wat d next thing to b done'when we re going to cdl on 18 wat re d credential we re to bring along, , ,

You must be kidding with your base-less post,did you hear about the jst concluded moot competition for law students?? Both schools met at the final stage,and OAU showed them,that the glory is still there! ReppingTeamIfe!

aibee01:
OAU lives on past glory......we do meet in inter-versity academics competitions now.....Aiit juz check d record of law graduates from d law schools....n structuce-wise Unilorin will b d school to beat in d coming years.....d school wif the largest campus in Nigeria...,if nt in Africa(15,500 hectares)

mgb4reel:
Have got some questions to ask you bro:
Please is it true that the location of one's centre determines the waec branch to get the certificate? 2) is it true that different examination years have different days of collection? My centre is Lagos island and the exam year is 2010. Someone told me I av to get it at the ikorodu branch. What is your take on this? Thanks.

Yea,the person is right,just that u've to make enquiry of the year your xams result*cert* will be issued,as each day has its year of exam!

So,where 're you now running to?? Don't tell me its SAMBISA oooo :D8-)

Chiamaka01:
*runs out of thread*

Don't vent your tension on her oo,you knw she is the only female Dr taking care of us on this thread,as for the tension it's just a matter of week.as i have already confirmed your name on the second list!

Ladokun12:
chiamaka! chiamaka! chiamaka! kai gini tension dy my body o mak I no release am on u

Admission is over??Hmmm,oga o! So, UI 've joined them??Where is the acclaimed TRANSPARENCY in the ongoing admission processing?? May God help THE POOR students

along11:
Last year i did my dearest UI's putme... i scored 50 under d dept of economics.... D cutoff back then was 57 buh i didn't do COC... So i wasnt given admission... This year again i did their putme... I had 61 under dept of economics again and i was really happy thinking my admission was certain... But UI broke their bad news and said d cutoff was 63.. This time i dd COC to Archeology/anthropology and Human kinetics... But now i havnt still gotten admission.. So today i behaved like a man and went to the admin office... But i was only told admission is over for this year and that everybody's admission status has been uploaded... That was indeed a bad news.... To you all still anticipating something good.. I guess u should forget it and look ahead... Another chance is almost at the corner... Just buckle up, look ahead, avoid distractions and be really prayerfulll.... If things ain't working out for good presently there is surely a reason... God is working..... Marc, Francistony and dopeyomi you guyz re great, tho we had an E-beawl i was only childish and i love u... #NoHomo..... To Every other person on this thread u re just so wonderful... i enjoyed every bit of my time i had here...... Its high time I deactivated my acct..... #Stillhopingforthebest

Hbd bro,may God grant you all your heat desires...hip ! hip ! hip ! HURRAY!

Ladokun12:
u guys no even greet for my birthday I don vex o

Never mind bro,it's seems i have your contact on my whatsapp?? U put on a local cap like igbo*DP*?? We chat better on whatsapp...

hausadreturn:
what's the name if u dont mind?

I also heard from a lecturer in psychology department...just praying the merging of a thing to be a mere RUMOUR like that of 2013 set.

Chiamaka01:
They had better not merge us with the next set.

I meant MERIT LIST...Faculty of art to be precised...

hausadreturn:
u mean like 2nd list?

Bro,not all lists 're pasted in the department oo,cos i askd a friend,and a senior colleague to do that for me,bt nothing like that...i pray the second list put smiles on those anticipating it!

hausadreturn:
i do not think so....it'll be pasted (in depts.) first before coming out in Jamb's site.

Nay!

efyzhi:
Re u bearing ROBERT

Picture took at the scene...