Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called on top Nigerian music stars, including Burna Boy, Davido and Asake, to establish charitable foundations and use their wealth to support vulnerable Nigerians.
Speaking on Saturday during the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, the First Lady defended her earlier remarks on empowering women through small businesses, insisting that supporting petty traders remains an important way to reduce poverty.
Her June comments encouraging women to start businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli had attracted criticism from some groups, who argued that the proposal failed to address the country’s wider economic challenges.
Responding to the criticism, Tinubu said her empowerment programme goes beyond akara sellers and also targets traders selling pepper, vegetables, okra, melon and other food items.
She also appealed to successful entertainers to give back to society through organised charity work.
“We want to see the Burna Boys of this world, the Asakes, Davido, with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money,” she said.
While acknowledging that there is nothing wrong with living comfortably, the First Lady urged wealthy celebrities to also invest in improving the lives of struggling Nigerians.
“Good cars are good, a Maybach is good, a Rolls-Royce is good, but still, you can help,” she added.
Tinubu explained that empowering small business owners can create jobs and reduce the economic burden on government.
She recalled the story of a university graduate in Abuja who started selling akara after failing to secure employment.
According to her, after receiving support through the initiative, the young entrepreneur expanded his business and now employs 12 workers.
The First Lady maintained that grassroots empowerment remains a key part of the Renewed Hope Initiative, saying small businesses can transform lives and strengthen local economies.
Source: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
