Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s first lady, has encouraged Nigerians to start a small business, such as selling akara or roasted corn, saying those ventures require little capital
The first lady spoke while addressing journalists in an interview that has since gone viral.
Says government has offered support
Tinubu said her office has continued to support Nigerians through grants and other interventions.
According to her, beneficiaries received grants, not loans.
“We’re trying to give hope and to start Akara business doesn’t take a lot of money,” she said.
“To start roasting corn or somebody even said about groundnut… kuli kuli doesn’t take much.”
“We didn’t give them a loan. We gave it to them as a grant.”
“So we’ve encouraged Nigerians as best as we could.”
Lists interventions
Furthermore, the first lady highlighted several interventions she has supported.
She said she donated N2 billion to tackle tuberculosis.
She also said she contributed N1 billion for breast cancer programmes.
In addition, she said she released N500 million to address food malnutrition.
“When I heard there’s so much TB cases, I gave two billion,” she said.
“To breast cancer, I gave a billion.”
“To food malnutrition, I gave half a billion.”
Backs Tinubu’s agenda
Meanwhile, Tinubu said her office has invested in agriculture, social investment, education and ICT training.
She added that the administration remains committed to expanding its interventions.
“We are still open and still want to do more,” she said.
‘Nigerians should renew hope’
The first lady urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite current challenges.
She said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is designed to inspire optimism.
“The narrative has really changed to challenge the average man,” she said.
“The average man is supposed to have hope.”
“I like the idea that Mr President said this is the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“We have to renew our hope.”
