President Bola Tinubu on Thursday seemingly joined in on the controversy that trailed remarks made by his wife to offer grants to women to sell akara and kulikuli’, local delicacies.
The president made a playful remark by calling the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ‘Iya Alakara’, a phrase in Yoruba which means the woman selling akara.
He made this remark while acknowledging her at the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
Addressing guests at the event, the President said, “Gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, the Iya Alakara.”
The President attended the dinner alongside his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the event hosted by the State House Press Corps.
The remark appeared to reference a recent viral video in which the First Lady encouraged women to embrace small and medium scale businesses, saying that starting a petty trade such as frying akara is not difficult.
The First Lady’s comment had stirred mixed reactions among Nigerians who argued for and against her comment.
(Ripples)