EBERE WABARA

ewabara@

“Okopoly rector allays fears over masquerades (masqueraders)”

“Anambra 2017: PDP supporters on strategic take over (takeover) campaign”

“Both countries to sign drug control (drugcontrol) pact”

“Unfortunately, however, I, and many other Nigerians have been infuriated by our servants….” In pursuit of linguistic orderliness: many other Nigerians and I. The concept of the cart and the horse applies to language usage, too.

“But all our future blessing would be achieved through waiting in the Lord.” If you are after God’s heart, you wait on, not in, the Lord.

“Before embarking on the strike action….” You can as well embark on the ‘strike inaction’!

“It was as though both informants were mischievous people who had an affinity in (for) discrediting the preacher.”

“The vigilante group visited instant judgment on the thief and sent him to the great beyond.” In the name of excellence: vigilance group.

“Sixteen people were killed and two others seriously injured in a ghastly (fatal) accident which occurred along (on) the Bauch-Auchi road on Saturday.” If there were casualties, it follows that it was a fatal, not a ghastly, accident—which is even impliedly otiose. The mishap did not drag along the road, but occurred at a spot on the road.

“Some of the despotic regimes thrown up in (on) the continent did worse things than was experienced under colonialism.”

‘With due respect and humility, the above association (Tiddo Yo Daddo Alumni Association) is hereby inviting its esteem (esteemed) and valuable members to the forthcoming general meeting.” Are there invaluable members? And this: ‘With due respect and humility’—what is the essence of this phrase?