COMMUNICATION CLINIC

Anyim Steps on Slippery Preposition

Not even a prepared speech could help Senator Anyim Pius Anyim when he needed help.

On Friday, October 17, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) was at a lecture to mark Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s 80th birth anniversary. And, as the representative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Anyim was called upon to pay tribute to the celebrant.

One wrong use of a preposition sent the lawyer and former Senate president reeling on the floor: He said Gowon “was instrumental to the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)”.

 LANGUAGE POLICE finds Anyim guilty of a misdemeanour punishable by 12 strokes of the cane. Gowon was not instrumental to …; he was instrumental… [Anyim and his speech writers must pay to learn the right preposition, after he has received the 12 strokes on his bare buttocks.]

 

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