The Essence of Pidgin English: A Review of the Gbedu Magazine

With over one hundred and five kinds of languages in Nigeria, we can't possibly know everything even if we try hard to.

It is definitely not impossible, but will take a long while.

As beautiful as the diversity of languages is, it serves as a barrier to the nation and we can't overlook the fall it would have on us as a nation especially when it comes to social and economical gain. The major tribes (Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo) are still striving to  a balance in communication as to what is important or not, it is not far fetched the major difference in the argument is the fact that language is not understood by nine of the tribes.

What does language bring? Or better put what is so special by the uniformity of language?

The unity brings still amazing me, the uniformity in the languague in the zone of the United kingdom has brought the whole done thus far. No argument either when we say America is one language nation in which they have sustained the whole national unity.

No matter what they all had languages special to them and in what way created a sense of knowing what one another is saying.

If we so crave national unity in Nigeria we need a unique language that is born within us even if it is not noticeable now.

If we got to make the Hausa understand the importance of education language goes far

If we have got to tell the Igbos the importance of education language goes far

If we have got to tell the Yorubas the importance of education language still goes far

It you have got to tell any of the tribe the Importances of anything at all language does the trick.

What about national unity?

If we need to build the brotherly love language goes far?

What be to us?

Pidgin! In other words, broken English

Now there are issues arising in the use of the language such as the language not having a root, or the language not having an error( you can find more on gbedu magazine) what should ask our self is

Isn't the language bringing the unity we need?

If the language does more good than harm why the hesitant on the legalizing of the language.

The citizen of the country can't deny the joy they experience when speaking the language even at the mention of its name. Even the white and other countries get the thrill of the language no wonder the BBC took upon itself to have pidgin as a broadcast.

America got different criticism when they were about to bring the American language out different from your and posh Queen's English. They had to sit down and realize what they actually wanted to achieve, they needed unity and a bond of the nation, they saw they had a different approach to English and decided they would have their English and so far so good it has been working for them.

It wouldn't be bad if Nigeria follows suit as the language speaks volumes of unity and international recognition.

It brings the numerous number of the ethnic group we have together and bonds us to knowledge.

It would bring an easy understanding to the student if schools and make teachers work easier.

Gbedu magazine has started the part of telling the importance of pidgin as it is written in pidgin, gives different languages in pidgin, and makes news in pidgin. It shows also the importance of why we should not allow the language to go into extinction; it would be like hanging our own mother tongue and living a slave to who we fought against.

Our greatest fear is the fear and nothing we do.

English isn't our language why should we continue in it?

We have different ethnic groups we can't pick one and neglect others...

Why then should we kill an inborn language mother nature has given to us

It was born in us. Liken it to a child we nurture, Children could be difficult yes! But that doesn't make them useless.

Coronavirus: Career Tamed, Professionalism Tampered

It is no longer news that there is partial and total lockdown as the case may be, due to the widespread of Coronavirus across the world.

Since the inception of this deadly virus, the basic existing mode of operations and way of life of people has been tampered with almost all sectors affected. There is a general experience of a massive downturn. 

The health sector is grossly affected alike. As the economy of the world now experience a downswing, the educational sector too is far from free of this virus, as all schools had been shutdown since the beginning of the virus. Not even one sector is free from this negative experience the world is into now.

Different sectors have been swayed by the sudden downturn in work. Not surprisingly, with travel at a minimum and social lives put on hold, the accommodation, travel agencies and food services industries also have a share in the suffering. Manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and real estate businesses are not out of this downturn.

From the emergence of this deadly virus, professionalism has been tampered and exposed, most especially the health sector, as many of the claimed professionals in this field have failed to produce or come out with any curable vaccines to the coronavirus, on the flip side of that, they try to get some immune enhancement injections to mitigate the effect of this virus on the body of the infected person.

The worst has happened to the career industry - employers, employees, companies and industries. Production is massively affected due to the restrictions of daily operations of the citizen.

According to the BBC, "A total of 81% of the global workforce of 3.3billion people have had their workplace fully or partly closed".

This is due to the restrictions of daily life which has in turn led to the closure of many companies and laying off staff either permanently or temporarily.

The sad news now is that many people have suffered a lay off already from their works as of recent, according to CNN, there are currently over 3.3million unemployment claims in the united States already as a result of the covid.19 pandemic. Those who have not been laid off are on a Payless leave.

"Workers and businesses are facing catastrophe in both developed and developing economies" said by ILO director general. He continued that, there is now a high risk that by the end of 2020, worldwide unemployment figure will be much higher than the initial count.

Coronavirus: Face masks, For Profit or Not ?

With the sudden rage of the Covid-19 pandemic, which appears to be a respiratory infection, health institutions have advised individuals to wear nose masks to prevent fluid discharge.

Having this in mind, the increase in the demand for these have forced an artificial scarcity of these products, created a business sector and caused an intentionally induced inflation. It's not surprising to find Gucci face masks, Prada face masks and even Versace face masks. It looks thus that many have lost the focus of the reason for this demand.

Ankara Nose-masks

We still have good ones, who somewhat have a non-profit mindset.

Alice and Olivia agreed to a mask-for-mask donation with their #MASKTOGETHER initiative. For each mask sold through A+O, they will donate one mask to the medical community. For every face mask purchase, Inkkas will donate one mask to Model Citizen Fund. Model Citizen Fund is a platform that uses donations to fill backpacks with essential emergency items, then gives them to homeless individuals and disaster victims in need.

Aviator Jeans has begun manufacturing premium protective masks masks for consumer use and allocating the profit to support the manufacturing of face masks for the medical community and other essential workers. The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) railed against undue exploitation of consumers by retailers of the safety products.

“It has come to the attention of the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) that certain suppliers and retailers are taking undue advantage of citizens and engaging in unconscionable trade practices with respect to basic safety and protective apparel such as face masks and latex gloves, as well as personal hygiene products like sanitisers and anti-bacterial wipes, because these products are relevant and necessary in preventing infection or spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus),” a statement signed by Babatunde Irukera, FCCPC chair, said.

“This unusual and inordinate practice of unreasonably increasing the price of these products in an indiscriminate manner, on account of the national public health concern (Coronavirus) violates both moral codes and extant law.

“Abusing citizens’ sensitivity, apprehension, anxiety and vulnerability, especially during emergencies that could adversely affect national security is a violation of law.”

The FCCPC noted specifically that Section 17(s) of the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) prohibits “obnoxious trade practices”, or the “unscrupulous exploitation of consumers”.

The Commission said its surveillance efforts have revealed that some otherwise reputable pharmacies and department stores are engaging in price gouging and manipulating supplies in a manner that distorts the market, or temporarily restricts availability in order to unreasonably/unfairly increase prices.

“Any conspiracy, combination, agreement or arrangement to unduly limit or manipulate supply, in order to unreasonably enhance price or otherwise restrain competition is a criminal offence under S.108(1)(b) and (c), FCCPA,” the commission said.

“Any exercise or exploitation of undue pressure in selling or the sale of goods or services, or price manipulation between displayed, and selling price are also serious violations of the FCCPA under Sections 115(3) and 124(1). Taking advantage of the possibility of infection by a dangerous communicable disease to control supply, or unilaterally increase prices is predatory as it preys on the desperation of citizens.

“Considering the circumstances and the vital national interest/security this illegal conduct undermines, the Commission intends to strongly enforce the full letter of the law, including the fullest extent of penalties associated with this conduct.”

 

Opinion: When Opposition Goes Wrong by Awosusi Opeyemi

For so long the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has been marauded with leadership crisis. This is however not uncommon to the party as it has always been inflicted with one party crisis or the other, from the onset. The pioneer chairman of the PDP served for just three months due to the inordinate quest for power by some individuals in the party.

Fast forward to the present day Nigeria, one would only wonder if there is any opposition party in the country at all. This is not farfetched from the fact that the PDP which is supposed to be the paradigm of critical evaluation and subtle opposition of the government in power has not been able to put its house in order; one can only liken the PDP to a toothless tiger which only roars but  cannot subtly, and out of Nigeria's loyalty, critically appraise and help to set the APC-led government back on track whenever the need arises.

Several loyalists of the APC have argued that the government in power is the choice of the people - this no doubt, is the beauty of Democracy. However the question to ponder on is "What measures are in place to ensure the sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria?". We must not be too quick to commit the fallacy that Democracy is all about exercising our rights, indeed it is about adequate and efficient representation of the masses.

In a situation where the APC has been voted into power and they have relented in ensuring the adequate security and welfare of poor Nigerians, which is the primary function  of every government, the PDP wallowed in a play of political agility and sociological ignorance. Several persons have hoped to see the PDP help in putting the APC-led government on its toes; this hope has not only been shattered, but an exclusive mirage. Parties are more interested in playing bitter politics than clamour for the good of the people. How pathetic!

Heavyweight looters and perpetual law breakers cross-carpet to the APC everyday to enrich their pockets which confirms the yoruba sage saying that 'owo epo l'araye n bani la, won o ki n bani la owo eje' literarily meaning 'the world only stays with you when the going gets smooth'. This further reminds me of the popular song by the pop star,  Lil kesh that "NO FAKE LOVE". The political parties in Nigeria have successfully failed in serving as vital tools for a purpose-driven country, when it is time for elections, the party candidates buy roasted corn from the streetside just to 'acclimatize' with the people: indeed, this is fake love.

One could begin to wonder if cross-carpeting has aided our country at all, well, this is a discourse for another blessed day.

It is pretty saddening that opposition parties in the country always refuse to work hand-in-hand with the ruling party and prefer to sabotage efforts of the government in power: the so called ``watchdog`` function they claim to perform is a sheer opium of the masses.

Of recent did the supreme court declare Makarfi the substantive chairman of the PDP in a suit filed by Ali-Modu Sheriff, his PDP rival; although Sheriff's faction claims the judgement to be morally unjust, the law is absolute! It is high time the opposition parties in Nigeria began to perform their watchdog duties and work together with any government in power rather than playing bitter politics as obtainable in Nigeria.

Some political parties however parade themselves in the argument that their major objective is to capture power - Good! But can something else laudable and worthwhile  be done on behalf of the poor masses even before gaining power?

Parties must realise that if Nigeria fails under a political party, it is to the detriment of the populace and not just that of the party in power, therefore, checks should be put in place to move the country forward.

If the Democratic party of the USA is able to put President Trump on his toes, to follow the right path and use the most efficient strategies, then this feat is achievable in Nigeria as well.

We have all pledged our allegiance to our dear country Nigeria, and nothing shall set us back no more!

Koye-Ladele Mofehintoluwa: Brisket Bone, Buhari and Bourdillion

"If you give them your heart, they will want your soul. That is why those of us who do not think twice about them must always be right"- Bola Ige

The Nigerian internet space was recently pervaded with a viral broadcast. Of course, it is fast becoming usual for sensations to take over real news in the Nigerian scene. A lot of theorists have even suggested that these distractions are sponsored. For instance, it could be the case that a major determining policy of some sort has been set up. Nigerian internet space is in the midst of a hot argument on the policy. The government is beginning to feel the pressure of public opinion. Suddenly, everything fizzles away when the attention diverts to a controversy between Wizkid and Davido. Thus, in a matter of moments, the attention has been shifted and the policy discussion becomes an issue for the past.

Last week, someone must have felt the "Eureka" sensation and ran into the market naked to proclaim "Eureka!". This person attempts to trace have proven abortive suggested that the "biscuity" part of meat that we chew enjoyed best when the meat is fried and popularly tagged "biscuit bone" is incorrect but rather it is brisket bone. In a country where most of us are willing to imitate the foreign concepts and even diction without understanding them, a large number of us began to correct ourselves without trying to confirm if we were wrong. Brisket bone for three days won the hearts of the struggling-hard-to-speak-phonetics category of Nigerians.

Shortly after, it became the case that someone did Nigerians the favour of a research and came back to say brisket bones are found in the chest of an animal around the ribs and they are not what we coined the term "biscuit bone" in reference to. In a short time again, the quiet ones among us who did not take a position on if it was biscuit or brisket bone came out to mock those who did call it "brisket bones".

For a long time now, I have argued that until Africans understand their uniqueness and do not care for their local diction to affect their phonation as part of their pride. We will continue living a lie. African consciousness entails in totality a pride of who you are and what you are.

These youths who have decided to "brisket bones" are either uninterested or distracted from the fact that for more than two months, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been away. While theoretically, we are made to believe his absence creates no vacuum, some of us know better that the politics at work is holding the government to ransom. Aisha Buhari herself would take to Twitter and describe as "hyenas and jackals who want to reign in the absence of the Lion King".

Whispers convey the news that the President has cancer. Some louder whispers convey the news that he has become totally deaf. The true state of the President is being hidden effectively from those he governs. Welcome to Nigeria! This is one of our inventions. We create public servants that are isolated from those they lead till their tenure ends.

While the President was away, a serving Senator died and interestingly, a bye-election was conducted for his office. In typical Nigerian style, the replacement was a reward. Most political offices are held by people being rewarded for either party loyalty (which can also be the equivalent thuggery, violence and contribution of illegally sourced funds), being the next in line(yes. Even though we don't have a royalty. There's a queue on the way to power. Elections are just to determine who is really next in line) and also other criteria with the exception of capability.

The bye-election in Osun returned the brother of the deceased Senator. The Senator in question emerged from the opposition party. Despite federal might, regional might and power of incumbency, the APC could not return a candidate and the slot went out to the other party. This is interesting.

Bourdillion has been quiet. What is the man in Bourdillion up to? Is he scheming to put his man there or will be go there himself come 2019? What was the position of Bourdillion on the Osun senatorial bye-election? Has Bourdillion begun to lose political relevance in Nigerian politics? Is Bourdillion in good health himself as whispers also suggest he is ill?

Is the outcome of the bye-election a sign of things to come? Are the Osun masses simply dissatisfied with Aregbesola and are sending a message that they don't want his governance? Was the bye-election a protest vote? Were the votes bought? Was the outcome to reward the deceased?

The best analyst of political trends cannot in Nigeria come up with a satisfactory explanation for political occurrences. The influx of methods and processes outside the book has made obscure what really decides choices of the masses in Nigeria. The question is if the masses even choose! Our democracy is so complex that another name other than democracy should be coined for it.

As the politics in Nigeria continues to heat, the axe continues to wave in the air. Where will it land? On who will it fall?

Who is the anointed one for the 2019 elections?

Mr Speaker Speaks; Mr President Presides.

By Omole Isaac Adeonipekun

I have examined with keen attention the "wahala" between the Speaker of OAU Students' union and the President of the union. The simple truth is both persona are actors in a movie that seems to get interestingly interesting day-in-day-out. It will be my pleasure to then analyze analytically and technically the issue between the President and the speaker.

IN THE BEGINNING
We would recall that OAU Students' union elections came up 3/4 months ago. From the  facts at my disposal Mr Temitope a.k.a Tbamz was part of those persons that preached the gospel of Dr IBK in the Faculty of Administration - he was also renowned to have supported Emerald too in his faculty as against his faculty-mate, Annadiva. We did hear that Mr IBK promised to support Mr Temitope for Speaker of the Union's parliament.

Dr Ibk won the election as we all know and Mr Temitope from Accounting department was instrumental as regards his victory in  the Faculty of administration.
To keep his own part of the bargain, IBK and his political dads did ensure they sealed Tbamz victory at the in-house elections of Parliamentarians-They threw their weight behind him powerfully.
As at that point in time, the Speaker of the parliament and the Union's President were great padis.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

The question above is a  "one million naira" one as it is "multi-faceted" and multi-dimensional.

In truth and as a matter of factual reality, IBK and Tbamz were padis but before the end of last semester, they seemed to be dragging issues with each other.

In the first sitting for this semester, I noticed that certain Honorables moved Motion for adjournment of sitting/plenary and DR IBK was said to have opined that the sitting be postponed because he had an in-course or something of such. That seemed weird and had elements of less-sagacity on the part of the President, his vice  could have just stood in his place. Oh lest I forget, he doesn't even trust his vice too much, he has the view cum fear that the lady is eyeing his position.

It was learnt that Mr President went to the DSA without the knowledge of his fellow CEC members and the house in pursuit of collecting close to 12 million union dues backlog for the purchase of buses and this did vex the speaker.

The most dramatic of them all was the sitting were committees were constituted and the Judicial Council-that was technically the last straw that broke the camel's back.

JUDICIAL COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES BROUHAHA

This is the most laughable part of the story and perhaps the crux of the issue. Let me relay it narratively in subsequent paragraphs.

Akinteye Ife, a part 5 law student is a friend to Dr Ibk, the President and a close friend to the Union's PRO too. He did support Dr IBK during the last Union elections in fact against his class mate, Ibiyemi. The reasons we adduce to that decision of his is that , a. He is Ibk's friend;b. His padi, Oyewale Faith(a law student) is said to be Dr Ibk's cousin;c. LSS elections, Ibiyemi was supporting the candidate that went against Ifeteye's candidate, literally they belonged to different camps.

Akinteye Ife supported IBK with his life and Ibk did win the election but lost the Faculty of law, Ifeteye's constituency.

To reward his loyalty, he was promised the position of Lord Chancellor of the Judicial Council. From rumors emanating from different angles, Ifeteye had occupied the office of the Lord Chancellor even before he was nominated and had put some minor touch to the Lord Chancellor office at SUB.

Ironically, The Speaker and the President fell out because the speaker wanted a certain 30percent of  Judicial council members and certain statutory committees but the President selfishly wanted to have all of them 100percent just like "Oliver twist"  but the speaker was smarter.
On the day, the Judicial Council was constituted, Ifeteye wasn't nominated, not to talk of being the Lord Chancellor - he suffered for the sin(s) of his padi,eeyah!!!
Another law student emerged the Lord Chancellor, Mr Kayode, and Ibk and his permutations for council and committee membership was deleted from the equation.
Though currently, Ibk has been giving the current Lord Chancellor problems and in fact overstepping his bounds.

OTHER MATTERS ARISING...

Mr President is afraid he might be axed from office by the speaker because the speaker has a good relationship with Emerald the union VP. He feels the lady is eyeing his office and may do anything to impeach him.

In the last sitting, one in which correspondences were written against the president, many persons felt the President will be suspended, but he still has a chance to defend himself in the next sitting.

THE  CONGRESS OF JUNE 8th, 2017.

The congress which held on Thursday, June 8th, 2017 was one that was  "interesting".
In the early stages of the congress, the Congress was quite scanty...
But the best part of the congress was when the petition for the dissolution of the judicial Council and standing committees were presented. The petition was signed by 61 Parliamentarians.
However, some of the Honorables (who allegedly signed the petition) claimed they were oblivious of the petition and some claimed they signed it cos they weren't satisfied with the constitution of the Judicial Council and committees.
One scene that did light up the atmosphere was when One Petkoff from the department of Philosophy(though, he is known to be Dr IBK's loyalists) gave the submission that the Judicial  Council and standing committees be dissolved and the Speaker be impeached/removed . The congress then suffered disruptions and interruptions, so it couldn't continue smoothly. The President (Congress moderator) then claimed that Petkoff submission is a standing one and it has been adopted as the resolution of the congress ; The weird thing is why will one person's submission be the "resolution of the majority", ludicrous, isn't it?

Some persons loyal to the President claimed that based on Petkoff's submission, the judicial Council and committees have been dissolved, and the speaker suspended - That's the most "ridiculous" thing I have ever heard. Now I remember, the Deputy Speaker is Dr IBk's loyalist and permutations made him emerge as Deputy Speaker cos the best person for that position in line with in-house manifesto conducted for the house leadership election is Hon. Leveller. So, by now, I believe he would be seeing himself as the speaker.... Hmmm.... What a small world!!!

As far as I am concerned and maybe some clear-headed individuals, the congress of June 8th was a sham - The committees and Judicial Council still remain intact and standing! Mr Temitope is still the speaker and if they really do want to remove him, "they" should go and study the constitution well.

I am still shocked that because of one man(Ifeteye) and a few persons he promised committee membership, the President wants to dissolve the Judicial Council and committee - That act is close to an act of folly and most likely  abuse of powers, more like chasing the wind...

"FINAL NOTE"

I opine that the President should  not prepare the plans for his own "fall". First, it was Division in his executive council,another was his disgraceful act at Anglo-moz in early may, let me even mention the rumor that he is not in good terms with his next in command, now he has put his legs in the same trousers as "Mr Speaker".

As much as I would love to watch this drama, I feel it may end "tragically"...

I think the President should set things right, put his house in order. I advise that the speaker too do the right things.

One thing I know is that there is more chapters to this story and the ball is in their courts to end the story now or allow it to proceed to the next level.

And if the President is not careful, he might be put against the run of play.

For now, I want to sit, relax, and enjoy the drama unfolding before us..

On a final note, "Let the President continue 'Presiding' and the Speaker continue 'Speaking' "... 

     

Omole Isaac Adeonipekun (O'Zik) is a student of the Faculty of law, a Journalist, an editor, an analyst, and a social commentator. You can reach him via [email protected]

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