2017 N-Power Applicant Fires Back, Replies Beneficiary Who Called Applicants 'Educated Illiterates' | CNR

In what is obviously a swift response to the comment by the controversial Lagos State N-Power beneficiary, Johnson Ademola, who alleged that 2017 N-Power applicants were educated illiterates who could not write in simple English, one of the applicants, Tunde Eniola has offered a classic reply to the derogatory statement.

Beneficiary Ademola had yesterday raised dust on Facebook when a report emerged in which he alleged that nearly 80% of the 2017 applicants could not write in simple English language on social media.

His assertion generated heated debate, with many accusing him of playing to the gallery.

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But one of the applicants, Tunde Eniola,  an N-Power applicant from Kwara state said the issue at stake is both controversial and necessary, and as such, demand a careful response rather than fight and quarrel.

Eniola wrote: "I have read the controversial report in one online newspaper in which a certain Lagos-based N-Power beneficiary, Johnson Ademola, called pre-selected applicants illiterates who could not write in simple English. Here is my reply to that controversial but necessary issue. I believe the matter calls for debate and sober reflection than the attack and counter attack it has generated on Facebook.

"Firstly, I will admit that some of the applicants write and post the kind of English that is not befitting of a graduate. But I disagree in totality, that this problem is peculiar only to the 2017 N-Power applicants. Even most of the existing beneficiaries will agree that posting of baldly constructed English sentences is prevalent in their groups and elsewhere.

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"It is therefore, a clear case of pot calling kettle black. It would have been constructive and reasonable if Johnson had admitted that the issue of graduates and bad English is a general problem that need serious attention. I don't want to burgle anybody with questioning how he arrived at the claimed 80% figure.

"It is both controversial and embarrassing to make such insensitive generalization, but it is even more dangerous, if not detrimental to ignore the issue he raised or pretend that it is not the appropriate time to bring it up to the public square for debate. 

"My take is that since everything in life revolves around communication, and English being the official language of communication in our country, graduates should endeavour to learn and apply good English both in speaking and writing. The benefits of this transcends N-Power job and reducing unemployment in Nigeria; it is a necessary requirement for working in big companies and multinationals", Eniola maintained.

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CNR Nigeria observed that many N-Power beneficiaries and applicants, while reacting to Johnson Ademola's statement, use badly constructed English sentences - the very issue Mr. Ademola raised in his assertion.