First Lady Remi Tinubu Akara comment controversy continues as she defends her remarks on petty trading and challenges top Nigerian artists to support the poor.
Speaking during the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Saturday, the First Lady advised entertainers to give back to society.
She also defended her viral comment on empowering women through petty trading.
According to her, the burden on government is enormous and well-meaning individuals need to join efforts towards ensuring poverty reduction.
Mrs. Tinubu reaffirmed commitment to the Renewed Hope Initiative’s grassroots empowerment scheme.
She said, “I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry. I have mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work.
“They make the Burna Boys of this world, the Asakes, all of them, Davido, we want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money,” she said.
The First Lady said luxury cars were not a problem, but entertainers should also give back.
“Good cars are good, a Maybach is good, a Rolls-Royce is good, but still, you can help,” she remarked.
Tinubu listed pepper, vegetable, okra and melon sellers, alongside akara and kuli-kuli traders, as beneficiaries of her empowerment scheme.
She said petty traders, including pepper and vegetable sellers, deserved support.
“The burden on the government is huge. You can still help. There are pepper sellers, there are vegetable sellers, there are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara sellers. Akara is delicious, I can tell you that,” she said.
The First Lady further narrated the story of an Abuja graduate who turned to selling akara after failing to secure a job.
“There was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job, and he said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job. He’s in Abuja.
“We approached him, I didn’t put my name to it, and we equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well,” she disclosed.
First Lady Defends Her Remi Tinubu Akara Comment
Recall that the First Lady recently suggested that women could be empowered through government grants to start businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn, and processing kuli-kuli.
The remark ignited controversy, with many Nigerians criticising her while others defended her.
The First Lady’s comment had trailed her for weeks, with President Bola Tinubu playfully referring to her as “Iya Alakara” at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner in Abuja.
This debate over financial struggle and success highlights similar reflections in the industry, such as when Funke Akindele shared how she hustled through odd jobs as a UNILAG student. For further updates on national news, visit Vanguard.
