The Director-General of Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN), Ahmed Bala, has spoken out in defense of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu. He argues that her recent suggestions for citizens to engage in small-scale ventures like selling roasted corn or akara have been unfairly politicized and taken out of context.
Speaking during a meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Abuja, the First Lady noted that her program distributes grants to vulnerable individuals to help them launch independent businesses. She intended these words to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance during difficult economic times, rather than minimizing the struggles of the populace.
Despite this, the comments drew significant criticism online from those who felt the advice ignored the severity of Nigeria’s economic hardships. In response, Bala emphasized that the First Lady was simply advocating for the dignity of labor. He pointed out the irony that many who criticize such domestic efforts often accept menial, labor-intensive jobs when they migrate abroad.
Bala asserted that Nigeria must move past a culture of dependency. He compared the nation to countries like China and Singapore, suggesting that their economic success stemmed from a strong work ethic and individual enterprise. He concluded by urging citizens to stop focusing on political controversy and instead prioritize skill acquisition and productive work to contribute to nation-building.
