University of Lagos
Professor Adeyemi Daramola of the Department of English and Literary Studies, University of Lagos, Akoka, has described the use of the English Language as a medium of communication among Nigerian leaders, past or present, as very poor.
The University Don stated this during the recent public presentation of two new books by Prof. Segun Awonusi, also of the university.
The don, while reviewing one of the books, entitled Essentials of English Phonetics and Phonology, at the event, said, “The English Language is not properly used at all in Nigeria. The people in government, corporate organisations and individuals don’t know how to use the language properly.
“It is unfortunate that all Nigerian Presidents and Heads of State, past and present, including politicians, don’t speak English properly.
Immediate President Goodluck Jonathan’s command of the language was very poor and his wife was even poorer.”
Daramola also noted that some indigenous Nigerian languages, including the three major languages – Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba – were slowly dying.