By: Prince Dan Olaitan Dada.
SMEF stands for Sanity in Public Affairs. Today we speak on sanity in communication and public sensitization. Development that cannot be understood by the people cannot be owned by the people.
1. The Primary School Test
Primary school taught us one rule: “If the person you are talking to cannot understand you, then you have not spoken.”
That rule is breaking today. There is too much complex language in public affairs. The Central Bank of Nigeria speaks of “monetary policy tightening”. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission speaks of “band migration”. The Ministry of Works speaks of “infrastructure renewal phase”.
Sector leaders, answer this: Can a Primary 6 pupil in Ankpa, a market woman in Zaria, a farmer in Benue, or an okada rider in Asaba explain that back to you in simple words? If No, then you have not communicated. You have only performed grammar.
2. Why SMEF Is Speaking Now
SMEF’s mandate is to help Nigerians understand government and development so they can support and obey the law willingly. But understanding is failing. Citizens now fear policy and projects because announcements sound like examinations.
When tax reform happens, citizens should not hear “streamlined fiscal instruments”. They should hear: “We have removed roadblocks. You will pay tax once, in the office. That money will build your road and hospital.”
When electricity tariff changes, citizens should not hear “tariff band migration”. They should hear: “Electricity costs more because gas is expensive. Poor families will receive a discount. Report anyone selling darkness to you.”
When a new road, hospital, or school project starts, citizens should hear: “Government will build a 10km road from here to the market. Work starts on Monday. It will take six months. This road will cut your transport cost by half.”
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That is plain talk. That is common sense. That is sanity.
3. Call to Sector Leaders: It is Time to Change Tone
SMEF calls on the following leaders to speak Nigeria, not grammar:
A. Federal and State Ministries: Education, Health, Finance, Works, Power, Information, Agriculture.
B. Regulatory Agencies: Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Communications Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Joint Revenue Board, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency.
C. Political Parties and Government Spokesmen.
D. Traditional Rulers and Religious Leaders who address the public.
Simple rule:
Apply the Primary School Test to every press release, project update, interview, and policy explanation. Use short sentences. Use understandable good English, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin. Use market, farm, and classroom examples. Complex English is for examinations. Governance is for life.
4. SMEF’s Four Commitments: Sensitization and Understanding for All Sectors
SMEF will not only speak. We will act through sensitization:
1. Policy in Plain Talk: SMEF will explain one government policy weekly in 60 seconds of simple language for radio and social media.
2. Sector Development Awareness: SMEF will publish weekly “What is Happening in Your Sector” alerts on Health, Education, Works, Power, and Agriculture in understandable good English and local languages. Citizens must know what projects are starting, ending, or affecting them.
3. Sanity Translation Desk: Our volunteers will translate major announcements and development updates into local languages and Pidgin within 24 hours.
4. Civic Education in Schools: SMEF will enter primary schools to teach pupils how to read government news and ask questions. A child who understands today becomes a responsible citizen tomorrow.
Conclusion: Understanding and Awareness, Not Grammar, Build Nigeria
Democracy dies when only professors understand government. Democracy grows when the trader, the driver, the farmer, and the child in class all know what is happening in every sector and why.
Sector leaders, hear SMEF clearly: Pass the Primary School Test or stop talking. If the person listening cannot understand you, you have not spoken. SMEF will help you speak so Nigeria can hear.
SMEF is not against English. We are for results. Results begin when every Nigerian, from Aso Rock to the last desk in primary school, can say: “I understand what government is doing in every sector and why.”
That is sanity. That is SMEF.
Signed:
Prince Dan Olaitan Dada.
Founder and Convener,
Sanity Multi-Efforts Forum SMEF
SMEF: “Sanity in Public Affairs and Good Governance”
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