Authors move to raise Nigeria’s standard in written and spoken English

The intellectual and literary society on Saturday 18th November, 2017, received a boost with the launching of a book titled, ENGLISH LANGUAGE: Usage and Communication Skills – targetted at sanitising and uplifting the propriety of written and spoken English language in todays highly digital world of mass communication.

Set out in 15 chapters template spread over 271 pages bold, easy-to-read format, the book is authored by Obiageli Georgina Okafor, a lecturer of English language at the Department of General Studies, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State.

Of particular interest is that the highly articulated book is co-authored by the authors biological mother, Madam Pat Okafor, a one time features editor with Poise magazine, a publication of The Daily Times group in the 1990s.

Of the dire necessity for this literary cleanser at this time, Obiageli, in an exclusive interview with The Daily Times on Saturday at the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, venue of the launch, frowned at the level of communication today in the print and electronic medias.

“What I read in newspapers and magazines today and the spoken English I hear from radio and television presenters make me very uncomfortable,” she began.

“The standard is so poor and it is worse on air and this has greatly affected the level of communication among the primary, junior and secondary school pupils across the nation and ultimately the society at large.

People communicate very poorly and this moved me to rise to make changes by this work. And politicians are the worse for it; they have created a political language all of their own.

“They even use direct coinage from the major Nigerian languages and as a result, their languages interfere with their spoken English.”

Regrettably, the author pointed out that the problem started from our cradle, “Where teachers no longer introduce children to the right tenses, so they grow up mixing up their tenses; even graduates mix tenses up and this has become a norm. It’s really ugly, sad.”

Read more at https://dailytimeslive.com/category/features

Okafor Georgina Obiageli (BA, MA, MPP), holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a Masters degree in English from the University of Lagos and another Masters degree from the University of Ibadan.

She currently teaches the use of English language and effective communication skills at the Department of General Studies, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State.

“What I teach in general studies at the Polytechnic is basically the use of English and Communication Skill. Therefore, this book is intended to provide a guide towards the mastering of English Language spoken and written by students in post primary and tertiary institutions.

The primary objective of the text is to assist learners to acquire a second mastery of basic concepts and essential elements in language and communication. Diction and finesse in written and spoken English is music to my ears and I am optimistic that this is achievable if we will blaze the trail.”

This is the author’s maiden book but she aims to write more for the secondary school audience and also for people in higher institutions.

Far removed from politics in her quest, Obiageli envisions she would become a prosperous individual in the future and a much better parent than what she is seeing in the society today. “I look forward to be great in whatever I choose to be in the future.”

A widow from Umuleri in Anambra LGA of Anambra state, the author is blessed with a son now reading medicine in a tertiary institution in the country.

Co-author, Madam Pat Okafor is the authors biological mother. A seasoned educationist with many years of experience in the teaching profession, Pat holds a Diploma in Journalism, B.A., Th.

She started as a staff writer with former Woman’s World with The Daily Times back in 1988.

In 1990 the paper was phased out and the Poise magazine came on board where she was a senior staff writer for seven years before she was elevated to the position of features editor.

She is currently a visiting lecturer to the College of Education, Abeokuta, and the West African Christian University.

“Thank God we are where we are today,” Pat told The Daily Times, and added, “With this book, Obiageli and I hope to break new grounds – and move Nigerians higher on the intellectual and literary ladder of written and spoken English language.”