A chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Joe Igbokwe has declared that the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu has good intention to uplift vulnerable citizens, especially youths from poverty in Nigeria.
This followed recent comments by the President’s wife during her recent interview, where she revealed how the current has given grant to enable poor Nigerians raise start up capital and set up small businesses as simple ways to earn a living.
Oluremi said in that interview: “To start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn or kuli-kuli doesn’t take much. We have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could, we have given people a grant, I also gave to several others”.
According to her, “we didn’t give them a loan. We gave it (N50,000 money) to them as a grant. So, we have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. What is within our hands, I have given. And I keep giving. Those are those are the things we have done”, Oluremi said.
Responding to the social media baters over the comments by Oluremi, Igbokwe said the backlash left him “ashamed,” accusing critics of twisting sincere guidance into a “campaign of abuse.”
He said in a Facebook post Saturday that the controversy began after a viral video showed the First Lady urging citizens, especially youths, to consider ventures such as frying akara as simple ways to earn a living.
Many Nigerians pushed back, arguing government should create jobs instead of promoting petty trading amid economic hardship.
Igbokwe lamented that “social media has become a platform where genuine advice is often met with insults and abuse”.
He hit out at those mocking the First Lady, describing them as “empty heads” and “headless mobs,” and warned that “society would eventually learn from its actions.”
Igbokwe’s comments heightened tension to the heated debate, as reactions to Remi Tinubu’s remarks continue to split opinion nationwide.
More Nigerians in social media community are pushing back at the narratives, arguing governments to create jobs instead of promoting petty trading amid economic hardship across the federation.
