Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, has responded after President of Kenya, William Ruto, made a statement that suggests, the English Nigerians speak is not good enough.
On X, the Minister disagreed with the Kenyan President and made it clear to him that, “Nigerians actually speak very good English”.
Alake made the statement at the Kenyan Mining Investment Conference in the Kenyan Capital, Nairobi. The Minister said, Ali Joho, Kenya’s Mining Minister agreed with his response, saying, Nigerians are “persuasive”.
Dele Alake posted: “At the Kenyan Mining Investment Conference in Nairobi, I had the opportunity to respond to a light comment that had gone viral earlier, where President Ruto jokingly suggested that Nigerians don’t speak good English.
“I told him that Nigerians actually speak very good English. My colleague, Kenya’s Minister of Mining, Ali Joho, even backed it up with how persuasive Nigerians can be.”
Consequently, Ruto joined in the “banter” and it turned into a “good-natured exchange” as both countries share “real ties” encompassing “families ties”.
Dele Alake further posted: “President Ruto himself later joined in the banter on stage, and it turned into a relaxed, good-natured exchange.
“And for the record, Kenya and Nigeria share more than jokes. We share real ties. Even family ties in some cases, as many already know.”
According to Kenya’s Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, the Conference “is designed to highlight Kenya’s mineral portfolio, promote sustainable investment and provide a credible platform for dialogue among sector stakeholders who include government, investors, industry leaders, development partners and mining communities.”
