Scholars and students of English language at the University of Ibadan came together on Wednesday 17th of January, 2018 to celebrate an erudite scholar and a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo for his contributions to learning specifically the English language.
The event which was held at the Room 32, a Lecture Room of the institution’s Faculty of Arts is the 2018’s edition of the Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo Personality Lecture organized by the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies, University of Ibadan Chapter.
The lecture titled “Addressing the Decline in Language Use in Nigeria: The Roles of English Graduates” was delivered by Professor Akin Odebunmi, a senior lecturer of the department.
Odebunmi, having narrowed down the topic to focus on English language took the audience through a wide expanse of the issues confronting the English language. According to him, the language is declining globally because there are people who write and speak bad English even among native speakers. He, however, concentrated on the Nigerian situation, where he identified what he termed mild, acute and chronic manifestations in terms of the levels of the pervasive poor handling of English.
Other discussants were Mr Akeem Lasisi of The Punch newspaper and Miss Nasir Jamilah of The Cable.
Scholars at the event were Banjo’s long-time friend, colleague and co-sojourner in excellent scholarship, Prof. Ayo Bamgbose; the Dean of the faculty, Prof. Ademola Dasilva; the Head of Department of English, Prof. Ayo Ogunsiji; Prof. Festus Adesanoye and other academics.
