FIRST Lady, Remi Tinubu, has defended her recent remarks on empowering small-scale businesses such as akara and roasted corn, insisting that the Federal Government’s intervention targets a wide range of petty traders as part of efforts to improve livelihoods under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
News Point Nigeria reports that the First Lady made the clarification on Monday during the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, days after her comments about akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses attracted criticism on social media amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Akara is a popular Nigerian snack made by deep-frying ground beans into balls.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Tinubu explained that beneficiaries of the intervention coordinated through her office are not limited to akara sellers but also include traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain, popularly known as bole.
Responding to the criticism, the First Lady reaffirmed her support for small-scale entrepreneurs, stressing that the initiative was designed to strengthen businesses that provide livelihoods for thousands of Nigerians.
“And I know they’ve been talking that I said akara. It’s not only akara… we also have tomato sellers. We have bole, and those selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market, we’ll continue to empower them, add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government has provided N100 million to the Jigawa State Government to support 2,000 petty traders under the empowerment programme.
According to her, each beneficiary will receive N50,000 to recapitalise and sustain their businesses.
She also maintained that the government would not be discouraged by criticisms surrounding the initiative.
“I know all those people who are affected, they do appreciate it. And we are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. But we are forging ahead and making sure that our people are well cared for,” she said.
The First Lady further encouraged young Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture, noting that the country possesses enormous untapped potential beyond the oil sector.
She cited an orange orchard she recently visited in Benue State as an example of the vast opportunities available in agriculture and urged youths to explore the sector as a viable path to economic empowerment and national development.
