'English Is Our Lingua Franca'- Fani Kayode Slams Buhari For Addressing Kankara Students In Hausa

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has pointed out that English is the country's Lingua Franca as he slammed President Muhammadu Buhari for addressing the recently released students of Katsina  Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Hausa during a National broadcast on Friday.

Fani-Kayode who joined a host of other influential Nigerians to condemn the President's act pointed out that millions from all over the country prayed for the release of the Kankara schoolboys.

READ ALSO: Insecurity: Release Of Kankara Schoolboys Has Vindicated Buhari, Tinubu Says

The former minister further advised President Buhari to treat Nigerians equally if he wanted the country to remain as one.

"You addressed the Kankara students at a public gathering in front of the nations media in Hausa rather than English. May I remind Mr. President that English is the lingua franca of Nigeria & not Hausa & that those kids are NIGERIAN children and not just Hausa Fulani children.

"Millions from all over the country, including the South,prayed for their release & they also deserved to understand what you said to the kids when you met them. If you want Nigeria to remain one then treat us all as equals. If you do not then carry on with what you are doing," tweet by Fani-Kayode read.

Recall that after the release of the Kankara schoolboys on the evening of Thursday, they had a meeting with President Buhari on Friday.

In the meeting, President Buhari addressed the students in Hausa which triggered a lot of questions pertaining to the unity of the country.

You addressed the Kankara students at a public gathering in front of the nations media in Hausa rather than English. May I remind Mr. President that English is the lingua franca of Nigeria & not Hausa & that those kids are NIGERIAN children and not just Hausa Fulani children.1/

— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) December 20, 2020