‘It’s not only akara,’ Remi Tinubu defends comments, says FG also supports tomato, pepper sellers

Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has addressed the recent backlash over her remarks concerning small-scale businesses, clarifying that federal empowerment initiatives extend to a wide range of traders, including those selling tomatoes, pepper, and vegetables, not solely akara (bean cake) vendors.

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It's not only akara, we also have tomato sellers. We have boole, and those also selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market.

Speaking at the inauguration of a new hall in Jigawa State, Mrs. Tinubu announced that the Federal Government has donated N100 million to the state government. This fund is designated to empower 2,000 petty traders, with each beneficiary receiving N50,000 to bolster their businesses. "It's not only akara, we also have tomato sellers. We have boole, and those also selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market," she stated, emphasizing the breadth of support.

Mrs. Tinubu acknowledged the criticism but asserted that such feedback would not deter the government's commitment to its empowerment programs. She expressed confidence that the beneficiaries appreciate the support and that the government remains focused on improving the lives of Nigerians. "We are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. But we are forging ahead and making sure that our people, you know, are well cared for," she added.

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We are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. But we are forging ahead and making sure that our people, you know, are well cared for.

During her address, the First Lady also touched upon Nigeria's vast, yet largely unexplored, natural resources. Citing an orange orchard she visited in Benue State, she urged young Nigerians to look beyond the traditional focus on oil and discover the diverse economic opportunities available across the country. "Nigeria is a really blessed country. We have not even gone to explore yet because we are thinking it's oil. But there are so many things," she remarked, advocating for broader economic diversification.

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Nigeria is a really blessed country. I've been travelling, and I pray that our young people will see the resources we have in this nation. We have not even gone to explore yet because we are thinking it's oil. But there are so many things.