President Bola Tinubu has humorously referred to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as “Iya Alakara” (Mother of the akara seller), poking fun at the recent controversy surrounding her remarks on women’s small-scale businesses.
Speaking at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, the President greeted his wife by the playful nickname, drawing laughter and applause from guests.
The remark follows public criticism of the First Lady’s recent comments encouraging women to embrace small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, kuli-kuli and other local products as viable sources of income.
Responding to the backlash earlier this week during a programme in Jigawa State, Mrs. Tinubu defended the initiative, explaining that the Federal Government’s empowerment scheme also supports traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain (bole). She disclosed that ₦100 million had been provided to the Jigawa State Government to support 2,000 petty traders, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000 to expand their businesses.
The First Lady maintained that the empowerment programme would continue despite public criticism.