Adamu Aminu.
In a recent plenary session, Senator Sani Musa from Niger State urged his colleagues to maintain ethical standards in the Senate.
This call to action came in the wake of a controversy surrounding Senator Abdurraham Kawu, who made a pronunciation mistakes during an interview on Channel TV.
The incident sparked a heated debate about the importance of fluent spoken English in governance.
Some Nigerians have come to prioritize fluency and polished spoken English as a key aspect of a person’s personality.
However, this obsession with English proficiency has led to a disproportionate emphasis on language skills over more important qualities.
As communication expert Sharon Hellmann notes, “Clear comprehension of any language is far more important than fluency.” In fact, prioritizing fluent spoken English can have negative effects on governance deliverables.
The Hausa proverb “An bar Jaki Ana Dukan Taiki” (the astray donkey is ignored, while the paddle bag is beaten) aptly applies to Senator Sani Musa’s situation.
While acquiring English proficiency is a valuable skill, it should not be prioritized over democratic and governance deliverables to the extent of mocking a fellow Senator during a plenary session.
The question remains: what has fluency and proficiency in English done to boost the nation’s GDP? What have spoken English experts done to salvage the country from its economic predicament?
The answer Is clear: delivery of good governance is far more important than acquiring proficiency in any language.
In fact, it is the effective governance that can lead to economic growth, not language skills.
It is essential to recognize that English is just one of many universally accepted and popular international languages, such as; Mandarin, Italian, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Hindi are all widely spoken and used in international trade and diplomatic services.
While it is beneficial to possess proficiency in these languages, it should not come at the expense of governance deliverables.
In conclusion, while English proficiency is a valuable skill, it should not be prioritized over the delivery of good governance.
As Senator Sani Musa aptly put it, maintaining ethical standards in the Senate is crucial. It is time to shift the focus from language skills to more pressing issues that affect the nation.
Adamu Aminu wrote from Kano.