Author laments poor use of English Language among Nigerians

Author and veteran broadcaster, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede has deplored the poor usage of English Language among Nigerians, particularly journalists, customer service providers, teachers, and even politicians, blaming the development on poor training, illiteracy and influences of dialect.She subsequently tasked experts in the field of English Language to take up the responsibility of guiding the people to speak correctly.

She said such experts must assume the role of custodians of good spoken words.To address the problem, the public speaking trainer has published a book entitled; “Strictly Speaking” (Pronunciation Made Easy), targeted at professionals within the education, information, political, corporate and entertainment sectors.

She added that another one targeted at students would also be available during the public presentation scheduled to hold on Monday, June 25, in Lagos.  “As a practitioner in the broadcast sector, I have been concerned about the falling standard of presentation and pronunciation permeating our air waves as well as the poor performance of public officials within our public space. The book is, therefore, based on the belief that articulation and effective communication is an efficient tool that strengthens personal and corporate development, promotes educational advancement and enhances dynamic information dissemination and good governance.”

Former Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade will chair the book launch while the Chairman of Channels Media Group, Dr. John Momoh will serve as one of the reviewers.

Oloyede, however, noted that as non-native speakers of English Language, Nigerians across major sectors, and particularly programmes presenters on radio and televisions, event comperes, customer service officers, especially at our airports, teachers, motivational speakers and preachers require mastery of the language spoken globally to avoid bad influences on their audience, and especially the young ones.