- Umahi: “I Was Raised In The Village, I No Hear Phone”
- Arise TV Reporter: “ Let Your Team with you interpret for you…That is how I Speak…”
By Abiola Olawale
Nigerians have begun to react to a hilarious moment that occurred between the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, and correspondence of Arise TV, Laila Johnson.
The situation occurred during a media session held in Lagos State to provide updates on the ongoing Calabar-Lagos Coastal lane.
During the media session, Johnson, who spoke brilliantly, asked the Minister questions, however, Umahi who seemed lost by her use of English voiced out, “Sister I was raised in the village, me I no dey hear “phone”
In response, Laila explained to the minister that it was just her way of speaking.
Umahi then requested interpreters, but Laila insisted that he had enough people around him to help him understand what she was saying.
Following the exchange, Umahi addressed Laila’s question by asserting that they had obtained all the necessary approvals to commence the project.
The New Diplomat reports that the Federal Government had announced the commencement of construction work on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, spanning 9 States with two spurs leading to the Northern States.
The Federal Government had also begun the demolition of properties affected by the right of way on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway construction.
The first phase of the project, made up of 47.47 kilometers of dual carriageway, was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd, which is to be constructed in concrete pavement.
The over 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been generating heated debates over its cost, the possibility of completion, and the destruction of properties and businesses along its Right-of-Way.
Nigerians have since been commenting on the hilarious moment with many wondering why a Minister of the country is not able to understand proper English pronunciations. Below are some of the reactions curated from social media;
“Her focus is phenomenal 👏👏👏👏👏👏. I learned something new again. Don’t get distracted. Focus”(@officialarole)
“She ignored the gaslighting and STOOD ON Business. What a Queen❤️”(@Annabella32)
“I love her guts 😮You were raised in the village, what are you doing in Abuja?”(@Chubby 1694)
“A Queen and More! Thank you for staying focused and getting the job done! The joke is on him!”(@Rachelettab)
“Everyone could hear the lady clearly, she did not speak any difficult “phoney” or accent. Oga was just trying to distract the brilliant lady with his weak jokes, glad @lailajohnsonsalami didn’t fall for them. These people think governance is a joke😏🙄😒”(@dayoogedengbe)
“This is so embarrassing, his intention was to shame the young woman but the joke is on him, shame😮”(@Allimerry)
