President Bola Tinubu on Thursday jokingly referred to the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara,” a Yoruba expression that translates to “Mama Akara.”
The President made the remark during the State House Media Dinner in Abuja, days after the First Lady’s comments encouraging unemployed women to embrace small-scale businesses such as frying akara (bean cakes) and roasting corn sparked widespread public debate.
A video of Senator Remi Tinubu’s remarks, which circulated on social media, showed her advising women to consider low-capital ventures like akara frying and corn roasting as practical ways to earn a living.
While some Nigerians praised the suggestion as a realistic approach to self-employment, others criticised it, arguing that it failed to address the country’s broader unemployment and economic challenges.
Introducing the First Lady at the event, President Tinubu said, “My dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara.”
The lighthearted comment drew laughter and applause from guests at the dinner.
Watch video:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BXidrQyba/
