- How I Supported An Akara Seller – Remi Tinubu
- First Lady urges Nigerian celebrities to establish charitable foundations.
- She says small enterprises can create jobs and boost household incomes.
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her remarks on empowering women through small scale businesses, insisting that petty traders deserve support from both the government and the private sector.
Speaking on Saturday during the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, the First Lady maintained that grassroots empowerment remains a practical way to improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities for low income earners.
Her comments come weeks after she faced criticism over suggestions that women could benefit from grants to establish businesses such as akara frying, corn roasting and kuli kuli production. Critics argued that the remarks did not adequately address the broader economic challenges confronting many Nigerians.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that reaffirming her position, Tinubu said the Renewed Hope Initiative was designed to support small business owners and help them grow sustainable sources of income.
She also appealed to successful Nigerian entertainers to establish charitable foundations and dedicate part of their wealth to supporting vulnerable members of society.
Using Senegalese American singer Akon as an example, she encouraged prominent Nigerian artists to become more involved in philanthropy.
“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.”
The First Lady said there was nothing wrong with celebrities acquiring luxury vehicles but urged them to complement their success with acts of generosity.
“Good cars are good, a Maybach is good, a Rolls Royce is good, but still, you can help,” she said.
Tinubu explained that the empowerment programme targets a wide range of petty traders, including sellers of pepper, vegetables, okra, melon and akara.
“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, and akara sellers. Akara is delicious, I can tell you that,” she said.
According to the First Lady, supporting small scale enterprises can improve household incomes, create jobs and reduce dependence on government assistance.
She cited the example of an unemployed graduate in Abuja who turned to akara production after failing to secure formal employment.
“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.”
Tinubu said the success story demonstrates that small businesses should not be underestimated, as they have the potential to grow into sustainable enterprises capable of employing others.
Despite the criticism that followed her earlier comments, the First Lady has continued to promote the initiative. In June, she distributed ₦50,000 grants to 2,000 petty traders during a visit to Jigawa State, insisting that public criticism would not discourage the programme.
