Opinion
Promoting Spelling Exercise In Schools
Language is the human essence. It operates at two levels, namely: the phonic level (Spoken Language), and the graphic level (Written Language). English Language which is used globally, also manifests at these two levels. Therefore, in pursuance of proficiency and international intelligibility, neither the spoken aspect nor, the written aspect should be neglected.
Written English is the graphic representation of the English letters, sounds or symbols. In the view of TREGIDO, (1962). “Literary or written English is more careful than spoken English. This is because, when anything is written down, it is often a permanent record which everyone can see, check and examine.”
Thus, Written English demands correct spelling of the English words. A wrongly-spelt-word possesses a difficult problem to the reader and affects the proper understanding of its meaning. In the past, “Dictation,” as an integral part of English Language learning, was an instrument par-excellence for acquainting pupils with the rudiments and rigors of spelling a word. Many primary and secondary English books provided sections for “Dictation” or “Spelling”.
Unfortunately, at present, the use of “Dictation” in learning the spelling of words has gone into oblivion. This is apparently reflected on the inability of an S.S.III student, or, a first year undergraduate student to spell simple words such as: “amalgamate”, “innovate”, “amicable”. Or, to know the difference in spelling between for instance, “practise” (verb), and “practice” (noun), “pronounce” (verb), and “pronunciation” (noun); “advise” (verb), and “advice” (noun) deceive” and “believe,” “receive” and “relieve,” “illegible” and “eligible”.
This inability of students to spell the English words correctly is also reflected on their inability to take down notes during the teaching and learning process. Students find it difficult to write when the teacher is teaching. Few of them, who attempt writing, over-labour the teacher for assistance in spelling simple English words. This slows down the teaching process.
Examination malpractice, which is part of the educational maladies, is also attributable to the students’ inability to spell the English words. Many students indulge in examination malpractice because they cannot spell the English words correctly.
The absence of a reading culture amongst students is traceable to the problem of pronunciation caused by spelling difficulty. Thus, there is a dying reading culture amongst students.
The use of the mobile phone with its own language and communication style, is replete with graphic inadequacies, because, it does not insist on correct and formal spelling of the English words. Literary English, or, written communication and reading exercise demand a sound knowledge of the orthography of English Language. Orthography refers to the method and system of spelling in a language. In this respect, the English dictionary comes handy and is incontrovertibly relevant. The English Dictionary or, Lexicon remains the final arbiter on all questions of English grammar and usage. It is a book containing the lexicon of English language – that is, all the words and phrases in the English language. Succinctly put, it epitomizes the accepted grammatical pattern and usage in English language. Besides, it embodies the alphabetic component of each English word. Therefore, the dictionary should be relevantly seen by every learner of English language as the only effective tool for learning the orthography of English language.
It should be said, that it has been meticulously observed that students’ spelling difficulties are with content, or, lexical words, perhaps, because of their structural complexity. Content words belong to the open word system. Open words have the innate quality of admitting new members (words) – neologism. Neologism refers to the introduction of new words into a language, as a result of cultural, technological, or, knowledge explosion, or, expansion, which culminates in the expansion of the vocabulary of that language.
As new words gain entrance into a language, speakers of that language should be acquainted with the alphabetic component of these words. This is only possible through conversance with the dictionary as in English language, since the English dictionary undergoes regular lexicographic update.
According to the Spell-Bound Manuel (2013), “The Spell-Bound Africa exercise, is a spelling competition designed to challenge children studying in Africa to learn new words and recognize them by sound, definition and etymology in an informal environment”. Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words and their meaning.
With the promotion of the Spell-Bound Exercise, students will be challenged to pursue and acquire skills for spelling. Learners or, students will be propelled to learn the spelling of the new words. This will go a long way to stimulate their interest in the use of the dictionary and other materials that will enhance their knowledge of the Orthography of English language.
With a sound knowledge of English Orthography, the problem of note taking in class, reading and writing will be minimized. Regular spelling exercise will restore confidence in the pupils and students and check the rate of examination misconduct.
Livinus writes from Egwi, Etche, Rivers State.
From all indications, Nigeria possesses enough human and material resources to become a true economic powerhouse in Africa. According to the National Population Commission (NPC, 2023), the country’s population has grown steadily within the last decade, presently standing at about 220 million people—mostly young, vibrant, and innovative. Nigeria also remains the sixth-largest oil producer in the world, with enormous reserves of gas, fertile agricultural land, and human capital.
Yet, despite this enormous potential, the country continues to grapple with underdevelopment, poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS, 2023) show that about 129 million Nigerians currently live below the poverty line. Most families can no longer afford basic necessities, even as the government continues to project a rosy economic picture.
The Subsidy Question
The removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been one of the most controversial policy decisions in Nigeria’s recent history. According to the president, subsidy removal was designed to reduce fiscal burden, unify the foreign exchange rate, attract investment, curb inflation, and discourage excessive government borrowing.
While these objectives are theoretically sound, the reality for ordinary Nigerians has been severe hardship. Fuel prices more than tripled, transportation costs surged, and food inflation—already high—rose above 30% (NBS, 2023). The World Bank (2023) estimates that an additional 7.1 million Nigerians were pushed into poverty after subsidy removal.
A Critical Economic View
As an economist, I argue that the problem was not subsidy removal itself—which was inevitable—but the timing, sequencing, and structural gaps in Nigeria’s implementation.
- Structural Miscalculation
Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries remain nonfunctional. By removing subsidies without local refining capacity, the government exposed the economy to import-price pass-through effects—where global oil price shocks translate directly into domestic inflation. This was not just a timing issue but a fundamental policy miscalculation.
- Neglect of Social Safety Nets
Countries like Indonesia (2005) and Ghana (2005) removed subsidies successfully only after introducing cash transfers, transport vouchers, and food subsidies for the poor (World Bank, 2005). Nigeria, however, implemented removal abruptly, shifting the fiscal burden directly onto households without protection.
- Failure to Secure Food and Energy Alternatives
Fuel subsidy removal amplified existing weaknesses in agriculture and energy. Instead of sequencing reforms, government left Nigerians without refinery capacity, renewable energy alternatives, or mechanized agricultural productivity—all of which could have cushioned the shock.
Political and Public Concerns
Prominent leaders have echoed these concerns. Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, described the subsidy removal as “good but wrongly timed.” Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party also faulted the government’s hasty approach. Human rights activists like Obodoekwe Stive stressed that refineries should have been made functional first, to reduce the suffering of citizens.
This is not just political rhetoric—it reflects a widespread economic reality. When inflation climbs above 30%, when purchasing power collapses, and when households cannot meet basic needs, the promise of reform becomes overshadowed by social pain.
Broader Implications
The consequences of this policy are multidimensional:
- Inflationary Pressures – Food inflation above 30% has made nutrition unaffordable for many households.
- Rising Poverty – 7.1 million Nigerians have been newly pushed into poverty (World Bank, 2023).
- Middle-Class Erosion – Rising transport, rent, and healthcare costs are squeezing household incomes.
- Debt Concerns – Despite promises, government borrowing has continued, raising sustainability questions.
- Public Distrust – When government promises savings but citizens feel only pain, trust in leadership erodes.
In effect, subsidy removal without structural readiness has widened inequality and eroded social stability.
Missed Opportunities
Nigeria’s leaders had the chance to approach subsidy removal differently:
- Refinery Rehabilitation – Ensuring local refining to reduce exposure to global oil price shocks.
- Renewable Energy Investment – Diversifying energy through solar, hydro, and wind to reduce reliance on imported petroleum.
- Agricultural Productivity – Mechanization, irrigation, and smallholder financing could have boosted food supply and stabilized prices.
- Social Safety Nets – Conditional cash transfers, food vouchers, and transport subsidies could have protected the most vulnerable.
Instead, reform came abruptly, leaving citizens to absorb all the pain while waiting for theoretical long-term benefits.
Conclusion: Reform With a Human Face
Fuel subsidy removal was inevitable, but Nigeria’s approach has worsened hardship for millions. True reform must go beyond fiscal savings to protect citizens.
Economic policy is not judged only by its efficiency but by its humanity. A well-sequenced reform could have balanced fiscal responsibility with equity, ensuring that ordinary Nigerians were not crushed under the weight of sudden change.
Nigeria has the resources, population, and resilience to lead Africa’s economy. But leadership requires foresight. It requires policies that are inclusive, humane, and strategically sequenced.
Reform without equity is displacement of poverty, not development. If Nigeria truly seeks progress, its policies must wear a human face.
References
- National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). (2023). Poverty and Inequality Report. Abuja.
- National Population Commission (NPC). (2023). Population Estimates. Abuja.
- World Bank. (2023). Nigeria Development Update. Washington, DC.
- World Bank. (2005). Fuel Subsidy Reforms: Lessons from Indonesia and Ghana. Washington, DC.
- OPEC. (2023). Annual Statistical Bulletin. Vienna.
By: Amarachi Amaugo
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