President Bola Tinubu lightheartedly dubbed his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as ‘Iya Alakara’ during a recent Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja. The playful nickname, captured in a video by Aso Rock TV, referenced a recent public discourse involving the First Lady.
The controversy began when the First Lady encouraged Nigerian women to pursue small-scale ventures like selling akara, roasted corn, or kuli-kuli through her economic empowerment program. Critics viewed these suggestions as dismissive of the current financial struggles facing many citizens, sparking significant social media debate.
In response to the backlash, the First Lady clarified her position while visiting Jigawa State. She emphasized that the Renewed Hope Initiative supports a diverse range of petty traders beyond just akara vendors. She highlighted a 100 million Naira donation aimed at empowering 2,000 small-scale business owners in the state. The First Lady maintained that the initiative is committed to providing sustainable financial resources to help market women grow their enterprises.
