EVEN the early morning heavy down pour last Saturday could not affect the size and quality of guests at the launch of Swish Comics, a publication aimed at improving spoken and written English grammar among children of primary school age in Nigeria.In the house to bless the new delivery, beautifully packaged, a language clinic sort of, was former Information and Communication Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, who was invited as special guest launcher; Maero Ozako of Zulu and Chummies fame, who anchored the review of the magazine; popular actress Kate Henshaw-Nuttal as well as a crowd of children who are the target of the new publication among others.Overwhelmed with joy, the Script-Writer/Creative Director, Swish Sprogs Publications, publishers of the magazine, Mrs Dotty Gbemudu-Otite acknowledged this rare show of love and passion by the guests, saying, 'I feel most honoured to have all of you present at this occasion and for that I say a glamorous thank you.'The project, a family affair, was conceived, Dotty recalled, 'along with my three children (my swish sprogs), after we relocated from England in 2010. They often came home from school with mention of phrases, which they thought were both funny and incorrect. We then decided to write down the top commonly used phrases they had heard and their corrections.'She added, 'This is mainly what I have used to develop the Swish Comics by making use of the most commonly used incorrect phrases in different story lines/settings and correcting them too.'With the publication, three main, but related objectives are targeted. Dotty said, 'The Swish Comics is aimed at helping improve spoken and written English grammar for children of primary school age in Nigeria, increasing vocabulary and encouraging reading. It will also benefit Nigerian children in the Diaspora, as it will help bridge the communication gap between them and their friends and relatives who live in Nigeria.'Dotty is passionate about the project. And she has mapped out strategies to spread Swish Comics gospel across the country. Her words: 'Over the coming months, Swish Sprogs Publications will visit various schools across Nigeria to raise awareness of the Swish Comics. In addition, we will be partnering with corporate organisations and state governments to provide corporate social responsibility sponsorships for public schools they support.' She described the project as her little way of giving back to her beloved country, 'Nigeria at this very significant time in its development.'Apart from dedicating the launch 'to the glorious future of all Nigerian children across the world,' Dotty underscored the commitment of the publishing outlet, 'to being the ambassador for impeccable English grammar in Nigeria.'Its mission is to use the Swish Comics medium 'to influence every Nigerian child, in one Nigerian household at a time, giving them a world of opportunities for their future,' said Dotty.In her remarks, Prof. Akunyili canvassed the expansion of the publication's horizon in terms of coverage as she looked forward to the days Swish Comics would be launched in Ghana and other West African countries.She called on parents, school proprietors, governments at all levels, as well as corporate organisations to support the initiative. 'If our banks could spend millions to bring comics to Nigeria, I do not see reason why Swish Comics should not be supported. Importation of comics is capital flight,' Akunyili counseled.The script-writer has, over the years, distinguished herself as a gifted writer. Dotty won the Mobil Nigeria National Essay Competition on 'War Against Indiscipline' in 1985. She is passionate about making a difference in her local community by using her writing prowess to influence children positively and effectively. Her versatility, creativity and sense of quality continue to be her greatest assets. Dotty's philosophy is to educate others in order for them to create positive results.As an alumnus of the De Montfort University, Leicester in the United Kingdom, Dotty holds a Law degree from the Edo State University, Ekpoma, where she was the best graduating law student. She was called to the Nigerian bar over 17 years ago. Her initial entrance into the corporate world was in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria where she worked in various positions including Legal, Insurance and Liaison. She has enjoyed a distinguished career in the United Kingdom spanning over eleven years, having excelled in various senior management positions including legal, commercial, contact, risk management and compliance in multinational companies in the city of London and in Kent. She returned to Nigeria in 2010, following an appointment as Special Assistant (Parastatals, Agencies and Corporate Organisations) to a Minister of Special Duties.
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