Hon. Adigun Agboworin: Grammar No Be Our Language, Grammar No Be Success // Adeniyi Amubikanhun

In the early 90s, the legendary Afro-Juju maestro, Sir Shina Peters, committed a grammatical faux pas.

In the process of sending his get-well wishes to the ailing JuJu Music generallissimo, King Sunny Ade, Shina Peters uttered the phrase “soonest recover”. Whilst grammar purists ridiculed Peters over that gaffe, the man went on to wax lyrical with the phrase, completely turning things around to deliver his hit song,”Grammar No Be My Language.”

His words ” grammar no be success” in that song resonate deeply even today: The ability to speak perfect grammar, especially in a foreign language, is not a measure of success in a person’s life.

A similar situation unfolded last week with Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin, the respected member representing Ibadan Northeast/Southeast Federal Constituency. Whilst addressing the House, Hon Agboworin appeared to struggle with parliamentary officialese which is typically the case with a lot of House members.

However, his critics, especially the opposition party, whom he trounced in the last House of Representative’s elections, latched on it and essentially made a meal out of it.

The fact remains that Hon. Agboworin, now serving his second term, has out-performed many of his peers and predecessors in delivering impactful representation to his constituents.

Indeed, for Hon Agboworin, being on point grammatically does not equate success. Among the so-called grammarians in the House of Representatives, how many can boast of touching lives and delivering dividends of democracy like Hon. Agboworin?

It is disappointing that as a society, we often prioritize trivialities like oratory over meaningful accomplishments. Ridiculing a performing parliamentarian over a linguistic gaffe says more about the critics than it does about him. The joke isn’t on Hon. Agboworin—it’s on those fluent in grammar, but stagnant in progress.

Consider Kayode Adewale, a Nigerian teacher from Ogun State recently shortlisted for the $1 million Global Teacher Prize (GTP). Adewale’s recognition isn’t based on his command of English grammar but his innovative approach to teaching mathematics in local languages, proving that communication is about impact, not perfection.

We are immensely proud of Hon. Agboworin. His contributions to his constituency and Oyo State are undeniable. He has proven that service is about action, not grammatical articulation, and we are confident he will continue to excel.

To those who measure worth by oratorical skill, let us compare achievements. Few, if any, can match Hon. Agboworin’s record so far. While his traducers continue to indulge in trivialities, and look out for slip-ups that they would enjoy, Hon. Agboworin will continue moving higher in the service of his people. Come 2027, we look forward to seeing him in even greater leadership roles.

Sir Shina Peters who, despite being made the butt of jokes in the media over that error, would later go on to become a legend in Nigeria’s music industry. His star power and sheer talent as an entertainer could never be blighted by his haters. His results spoke for him. “Grammar no be success, na results be success”. We can say the same about Hon. Agboworin who is a rising star and a living proof of that.

Adeniyi Amubikanhun writes from Ibadan.