Mind your word – words hurt than sword -By Alabi Quadri A.

“The wounds given by a sword can be healed but nothing can heal a wound given by the words“

In daily usage of human language, there are inevitable linguistic elements used in denoting and conveying our emotions, thoughts and feelings. These linguistic elements are what we refer to as “Words (diction)” or “Choice of words”. They are mostly applied in verbal communication. They have the potential to influence variety of reactions and behavioural changes in an individual during communication process 

“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.”

For the past four decades Nigeria has witnessed numerous outbreaks of ethno-religious conflicts one of the causes of the ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria is the way of choice of words or linguistic behaviour.

The choice of words and interpretation in a given context determine how conflict situations could be provoked or properly managed 

For instances, “The Ife-Modakeke conflict was erupted due to the use of derogatory language “Oyo pe” this word was stated as one of the factors that led to the conflict” (Babajimi 2003). Ibeanu, 2003 also gave a similar scenario in Umuleri/Aguleri conflict where the Aguleris were referred to as “Aguleri Ipo” (Aguleri weaklings) by the Umuleris 

Apart from the scenario that lead to intra-ethnic conflicts, derogatory language also caused the religion rivalry in Nigeria. For instances, during the June 12, protest “Islamic group, MURIC compares Buhari with Jesus, says June 12, protesters ungrateful after being “Healed” published in June 14, 2021 by Sahara reporters. In July SaharaReporters also published “Igboho is like Prophet Mohammed who fled Mecca for Medina persecution – Afenifere” 

As a result of the news publish by SaharaReporters on Monday, July 26, 2021 with the headline “Igboho is like Prophet Mohammed who fled Mecca for medina over persecution – Afenifere”. The Muslim thought it was immoral to bring Mohammed (SAW) to the issue of acclaimed Yoruba nation activist Sunday Igboho and is disrespectful to compare Mohammed with Igboho, Daily Times Nigeria published in July 28, 2021 “Sunday Igboho: Islamic group attacks Afenifere for comparing Yoruba activist to prophet Mohammed, Moses”. Some Christian in response to MURIC on social media they argued that “If you (MURIC) can compare Buhari with Jesus, why can’t Afenifere compare the situation of Igboho to Moses and Mohammed”. 

From all indication Afenifere was only trying to portray how Mohammed (SAW) had his Hijra out of Mecca to Medina since they don’t want him in Mecca to preach his gospel. Denigrating headline used by Sahara reporters prompted a spontaneous reaction from the Muslim. To pacify the Muslims, the management of Sahara reporters issued the following statement “EDITOR’S NOTE: On Monday, July 26, 2021 a story titled, ‘Igboho is like prophet Mohammed who fled Mecca for Medina over persecution – Afenifefere’. We apologise to all those who feel hurt by the report. As a media platform, we report on events as they occur. We understand that some people who read the report did not understand that it did NOT emanate from SaharaReporters but was a report distilled from a statement released by Afenifere, a socio-cultural organization. We assure our esteemed readers and followers that it was not our intention to denigrate the Islamic faith and Prophet Muhammad as we hold all faiths in high regard. We thank you for your feedback”. 

Lastly, it is crucial in Nigeria to move away from words that can cause rivalry in the society, the use of words in a situation of disagreement can determine the level of conflict envisaged. We are not at war same time we are not at peace “Is the word that will bring out kola nut from the pocket and is the word that will bring out sword from suitcase” ~ Yoruba proverb 

Alabi Quadri A. Is a student of Mass Communication, Kwara State University, Malete 
09018201963 alabiquadri13@gmail.com