Video: Tinubu brands First Lady as “Iya Alakara”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu
Abdullateef Fowewe
President Bola Tinubu has playfully referred to his wife, Remi Tinubu, as “My dear wife, First Lady, Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House Banquet Hall, a remark that drew warm laughter from attendees.
“My dear wife, First Lady, Iya Alakara,” the president said, referencing comments Mrs Tinubu recently made in public about akara, the popular Nigerian bean fritter.
The light-hearted quip came amid speeches and informal exchanges between the president, journalists and guests assembled for the annual dinner.
This comes days after comments Mrs Tinubu made about akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses sparked widespread backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing her of trivialising the country’s economic hardship.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has clarified that the First Lady’s comments are encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale entrepreneurship, saying there is dignity in honest labour and such ventures are vital to the economy.
The First Lady also defended her earlier comments on small-scale businesses, enunciating the Federal Government’s empowerment programmes extend beyond akara sellers to include traders in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain.
