₦airaland Forum

Ruto, Alake In Diplomatic Banter Over Nigerian English At Nairobi Mining Conference

by Silas Ezeugwu


A moment of diplomatic banter between Kenya’s President, William Ruto, and Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, drew laughter and applause at a major mining conference in Nairobi, following an earlier viral remark about Nigerians’ command of English.

The exchange comes days after a video circulated on social media in which President Ruto appeared to suggest that Nigerians do not speak English well. While many Nigerians interpreted the comment as a light-hearted jab, it nonetheless sparked widespread reactions online.

At the ongoing Kenyan Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition in Nairobi, Alake responded during his opening address, with President Ruto in attendance.
“I want to assure Mr President and the good people of Kenya that Nigerians speak impeccable English,” Alake said, prompting loud laughter across the conference hall.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Ali Joho, added to the humour, noting that “Nigerians speak such good English” that one had successfully used it to win the hand of President Ruto’s daughter in marriage.

The remark referenced the marriage between President Ruto’s daughter, June Ruto, and Nigerian academic, Alexander Ezenagu, a point that further amused attendees.
Not to be outdone, President Ruto took to the stage shortly afterwards, continuing the playful exchange and keeping the audience entertained in what many described as a rare moment of levity at a high-level investment gathering.

The friendly back-and-forth, widely seen as a “diplomatic roast”, underscored the cordial relations between both countries, even as it highlighted the role of humour in easing international discourse.

Observers noted that beyond the laughter, the exchange reflected the growing cultural and interpersonal ties between Kenya and Nigeria, with participants describing the moment as a celebration of shared African identity rather than division.

https://leadership.ng/ruto-alake-in-diplomatic-banter-over-nigerian-english-at-nairobi-mining-conference/

While Terrorists run unchecked Alake one of the spokesmen of Tinubu 2023 campaign is busy exchanging banters.

Unfortunately, Dieing Nigerians cannot such banter.

Imagine a Nigerian marrying the daughter of the Kenyan president. These are some of the reasons why some Africans, including SA and Ghana, don't like the boldness of Nigerians.

Friendly

just friendly jabs

We want to see diplomatic collaboration that has a direct positive effect on the people and not irrelevant diplomatic banter

Much ado about nonsense!

Ruto was simply getting back at Nigeria because of president Tinubu earlier jab

Ruto mismanaged an opportunity to fire ballistic missiles at Tinubu. He would have not stopped at Education though it was directed at the fake certificate holder. At least Kenya has never produced a drug dealer as a president and also, borrowing to fund solar power in aso rock neglecting the country’s power sector.

Yawnsssss, nawaooo, yawns

It's good sometimes to lighten up the atmosphere

What looked like an insult has been reduced to friendly pleasantries.

It was never an insult in the first place!

Does Ruto have another daughter that is single? Asking for a neighbour!

This ruto is one of the African leaders I had high hopes in his government...


Huge disappointment so far!

SadiqBabaSani:
While Terrorists run unchecked Alake one of the spokesmen of Tinubu 2023 campaign is busy exchanging banters.

Unfortunately, Dieing Nigerians cannot such banter.

Ability to contribute meaningfully becoming problem for my gender on daily basis, yet they blame lady's for their inability to contribute outside relationship stuff. if they don't attack, they must turn it to something else,or rather go mute.


Meanwhile, everyone knows that Nigeria English and education standards is one of the best in the continent, if country wants to criticize, definitely not Kenya. Anyway Ruto deceived by Hausa and Fulani accents to judge entire nation.

brain54:
This ruto is one of the African leaders I had high hopes in his government...

Huge disappointment so far!

Albeit, he's African. What good cometh out of thee, Africa?

ojuu4u:
Ability to contribute meaningfully becoming problem for my gender on daily basis, yet they blame lady's for their inability to contribute outside relationship stuff. if they don't attack, they must turn it to something else,or rather go mute.


Meanwhile, everyone knows that Nigeria English and education standards is one of the best in the continent, if country wants to criticize, definitely not Kenya. Anyway Ruto deceived by Hausa and Fulani accents to judge entire nation.

How do u pple have energy to reply pple that are bitter inside them and need deliverance

Africa should collaborate more to develop this continent. Mining and minerals alone can make Africa a powerhouse.

And their english can't make it to Oxford dictionary. I'm sure he was pained when he saw Nyash in the standard Oxford dictionary 😆

Franchise21:
It's good sometimes to lighten up the atmosphere

Lighten up what? Can't you see the distraught in that man's face. Nigerians are smashing all his daughters

Recall that tinubu fired the first shot

I

billgabb:
Ruto mismanaged an opportunity to fire ballistic missiles at Tinubu. He would have not stopped at Education though it was directed at the fake certificate holder. At least Kenya has never produced a drug dealer as a president and also, borrowing to fund solar power in aso rock neglecting the country’s power sector.

Your Bro Obi nah Watin??

No b everyday dem dey hold your people for same reason?

zinaunreal:
Lighten up what? Can't you see the distraught in that man's face. Nigerians are smashing all his daughters

If that's where love took his daughters to, so be it

Franchise21:
If that's where love took his daughters to, so be it

These african country's obsession with Nigeria is too much. Check them on tik tok

zinaunreal:
These african country's obsession with Nigeria is too much. Check them on tik tok

If not for bad leadership and corruption, Nigeria would have been the greatest black country on earth

Your kinsman Buhari orchestrated this bloodbath with northern elites to get power

Now the chicken has come home to roast, the brothers in arms he brought into the country to wrestle power are causing havoc and you are blaming Alake

Let the north fix their own problems

SadiqBabaSani:
While Terrorists run unchecked Alake one of the spokesmen of Tinubu 2023 campaign is busy exchanging banters.

Unfortunately, Dieing Nigerians cannot such banter.

SadiqBabaSani:
While Terrorists run unchecked Alake one of the spokesmen of Tinubu 2023 campaign is busy exchanging banters.

Unfortunately, Dieing Nigerians cannot such banter.

let's criticize with sense


na Alake go carry gun enter bush, is that his profession?

I am telling you, you can not believe that while terrorist kill Nigerians daily a foolish lunatic in the name of Peter Obi is running up n down like headless chicken seeking preisidentoal ticket he will never get.

SadiqBabaSani:
While Terrorists run unchecked Alake one of the spokesmen of Tinubu 2023 campaign is busy exchanging banters.

Unfortunately, Dieing Nigerians cannot such banter.