Ladi Oluremi Tinubu Defends Akara Comments, Urges Support

Ladi Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, defended her comments made during the launch of a national community food bank program in Lokoja, Kogi State. She suggested that women should be empowered through government grants to start businesses in petty trades such as frying akara and roasting corn.

Her remarks, which drew criticism from various Nigerian groups, including the Yoruba Union, were clarified by Tinubu, who emphasized the need for grassroots empowerment schemes. She appealed to the Nigerian entertainment industry, urging young stars like Davido, Akon, and Burna Boy to establish charitable foundations to help the poor.

Tinubu highlighted the struggles of petty traders, including pepper and vegetable sellers, and shared a story of a graduate who resorted to selling akara after failing to secure a job. During her visit to Jigawa State in June, she announced a grant of N50,000 to 2,000 petty traders, insisting that criticism should not deter the empowerment program.