An All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader has defended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu over the backlash trailing her recent comments encouraging Nigerians to embrace petty trading, insisting that there is dignity in honest labour.
The youth leader made the remarks during a press conference held at Imo House in Abuja while addressing issues surrounding the alleged replacement of Adamu Tanko in Gurara Federal Constituency of Niger State.
Responding to criticisms of the First Lady's advice that women could engage in small businesses such as frying akara, selling roasted corn, or kuli-kuli, the APC youth leader said it was far more honourable for anyone to earn a living through legitimate means than to engage in criminal or immoral activities.
He stated that it is better for a woman to be known as an akara or kuli-kuli seller than to be identified as a prostitute, hookup girl, or sugar mummy.
"Is it not better to be noble than to be doing filthy things? It is better they know you as an akara seller than to be known as an armed robber. It is better they know you as a kuli-kuli seller than to be known as a prostitute," he said.
The youth leader further disclosed that his own mother sold akara, stressing that there is nothing shameful about engaging in petty trading to earn an honest living.
According to him, critics have deliberately twisted the First Lady's comments, noting that she merely used akara business as an example while encouraging women to invest government empowerment grants into any legitimate small-scale enterprise of their choice.
He also highlighted several interventions carried out by the First Lady through the Renewed Hope Initiative, arguing that her contributions should not be judged solely by the controversial akara comment.
Among the initiatives he listed were:
₦100 million grants distributed to support women entrepreneurs through state governments.
₦2 billion donated towards tuberculosis intervention.
₦1 billion provided to tackle malnutrition.
₦1.5 billion allocated to support the treatment of cancer and hypertension patients.
The APC youth leader maintained that the First Lady has consistently demonstrated commitment to women's empowerment and improving the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.
Oluremi Tinubu had recently come under intense criticism after advising Nigerians to consider starting low-capital businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, vegetables, pepper and kuli-kuli as a means of economic survival.
The First Lady later clarified that the Federal Government's empowerment programmes are designed to support various categories of petty traders and entrepreneurs, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000 to recapitalise their businesses.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, defended the First Lady, saying her message was about promoting self-reliance, entrepreneurship and the dignity of labour rather than diminishing the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu also appeared to make light of the controversy during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner in Abuja, where he humorously referred to the First Lady as "Iya Alakara" (Mama Akara Seller).