First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has criticised those who had interpreted her recent remarks off the cuff that Nigerians should embrace the small business culture as not applying to the tomato, pepper, vegetable and boli (roasted plantain) traders in the country, especially in Lagos, Abuja, Lokoja and Jos etc.
This followed-growing public criticism she received for her earlier counsel to Nigerians to venture into low cost businesses for their subsistence, during the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall in the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa state.
On the controversy, the First Lady revealed that Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) already gave a sum of ₦100million to the Jigawa State Government to empower 2,000 petty traders, explaining the intervention was for a wider base of small businesses and not just the ones involved in the controversy.
Also read: FG Bans Motorcycles, Tricycles on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Over Safety Concerns
She said she would be giving each beneficiary N50,000 that would enable them to recapitalise and scale their businesses.
Not only akara, there are tomato sellers; boli and others that sell pepper and vegetables in the market, I know they are discussing this, and I am sure when it comes to supporting their trade, we should continue to build their resources and power, so that it can be sustained,” she said
For his part, Mrs. Tinubu said the administration didn’t mind the bad comment and pointed out that many of the ones who benefited from the intervention were grateful for it, while the government was still stepping in to help low income traders, this time, with grants and not loans.
The empowerment programme is aimed at enhancing household incomes for a sustainable support of micro-businesses in Nigeria, she added.
Also read: Oshiomhole Backs Death Penalty for Kidnappers, Renewed Push for State Police in Edo
The First Lady also encouraged young Nigerians to not cling to the oil industry but select alternative economic avenues like agriculture which are potential sources of their job creation and economic growth for the country, since it has immense natural resources which if tapped yields sufficient jobs and economic growth.
Her latest comments come in the wake of certain damaging remarks she made last week that unleashed a huge rhetorical attack upon the nation’s belly, urging Nigeria’s citizens to not have their backs to the wall even as they experience some economic pains and said some businesses like the kuli-kuli and roasted corn business, as well as the production of akara could be kicked off with a small amount of money.
Also read: South Korea Fans Boo Coach Hong Myung-bo After Disappointing World Cup Exit
Critics, from civil society and opposition, contended the comments underrated the scope of the country’s economic problems while activists hailed it as a “bombshell” and a nod towards entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
