Presidency: First Lady’s ‘akara business’ comment meant to encourage women into small businesses

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

The Presidency has urged Nigerians to engage in any legitimate enterprise, however small, amid the biting hardship in the country.

The spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, said this in an interview.

He stoutly defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over her comment in which she encouraged Nigerians, especially women, to start roasted corn, akara, kuli-kuli and other small-scale businesses to earn a decent living.

After hosting the wives of the 36 governors in Abuja last week, Mrs. Tinubu highlighted the financial interventions provided through her office to vulnerable Nigerians in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).

Her comment immediately generated widespread reactions from Nigerians who accused her of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

But in an interview on Mic on Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye on Saturday, Dare said Mrs. Tinubu did not miss any point, insisting she was advising Nigerians to get some level of entrepreneurial skills.

“She didn’t miss her point. Her point is that lwhatever it is, try and do something; have some level of entrepreneurial skills.

“When you look at the informal sector, whose resilience continues to lift this economy, it’s because of these small-scale entrepreneurs who sell akara, because we find it predominantly everywhere and also in the North. They are also significant,” Dare stated.

Citing his own experience and that of the business tycoon Aliko Dangote, the presidential aide urged Nigerians to get engaged in any legitmate enterprise, however small, amid the biting hardship in the country.

“Look at me today. Whenever I am today, my mother sold akara and banana. I carried bananas on the tray in my head to markets in Jos, Plateau State. My mother sold oranges. And through that, they were able to train me. What’s wrong with that if that was right 60 years ago? Because it’s about the capital, you have to grow these businesses by starting small.

“Go and read Dangote’s story. Go and read how he started. He also started like a small trader. So, the point the First Lady was making is that whatever it is, be engaged in some kind of enterprise,” he added.

But a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, faulted Mrs. Tinubu’s comment, saying she should lead by example. “Senator Remi Tinubu should first set up corn, akara, and kuli-kuli businesses for some members of her family and the APC women leaders. It will encourage other Nigerians to venture into the same business,” Effiong said in a post on his X page on Saturday.

1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW

Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.

Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

0.00USD

Amount
0.00

TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com

LATEST POSTS