Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has responded to criticism over her earlier remarks about small businesses, saying the Federal Government’s empowerment initiatives are not limited to akara vendors but also support traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain.
Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of the newly built Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the palace of the Emir of Hadejia in Jigawa State, Tinubu clarified the intention behind her earlier comments. Her remarks were captured in a video broadcast by TVC News.
The comments come after backlash on social media over her previous reference to businesses such as akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli, with critics accusing her of downplaying the economic realities facing many Nigerians.
Addressing the reaction, the First Lady disclosed that the Federal Government had provided N100 million to the Jigawa State Government to support 2,000 small-scale traders.
“Because of the atmosphere, what is going on, I’ve told Her Excellency that we’ve already given, donated about 100 million to her to use to empower 2,000 petty traders.
“And I know they’ve been talking that I said akara. 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.
“We will continue to empower them and add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable. So that is what we are doing,” she said.
Tinubu explained that each beneficiary would receive N50,000 to strengthen and expand existing businesses.
“We continue to carry the capacity. We have the amount of 2,000 women who are already in small businesses. They will recapitalise their businesses with the N50,000 each. We’ve already given the N100 million,” she added.
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She also insisted that criticism surrounding her earlier statements would not discourage the government’s intervention plans.
“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, you know, are well cared for,” Mrs Tinubu said.
Speaking further, the First Lady highlighted Nigeria’s economic potential beyond crude oil and referenced an orange orchard she recently visited in Benue State.
“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,” she said.