Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has clarified that her women empowerment initiative is not limited to akara (bean cake) sellers, stressing that the programme also supports tomato, pepper, vegetable, bọọli (roasted plantain) vendors, and other petty traders across the country.

 

Speaking during a women empowerment programme in Jigawa State, the First Lady dismissed reports suggesting that only akara sellers were targeted under the initiative, describing such claims as misleading.

 

According to her, the intervention is aimed at strengthening existing small businesses by providing financial support to women engaged in various forms of petty trading.

 

She disclosed that her office had donated N100 million to empower 2,000 women petty traders in Jigawa State, with each beneficiary receiving N50,000 to recapitalise and sustain their businesses.

 

"I know they've been talking that I said akara. It's not only akara. We also have tomato sellers, those selling pepper, vegetables and others in the market. We'll continue to empower them and add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable," she said.

 

Mrs. Tinubu maintained that her office would not be distracted by criticism or what she described as inaccurate reports, adding that the programme would continue to reach more women across the country.

 

"We are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. We are forging ahead and making sure that our people are well cared for. We will continue to care in the capacity we have," she added.

 

The First Lady also expressed optimism about Nigeria's economic potential, urging young people to look beyond crude oil and explore the country's abundant natural and agricultural resources.

 

Recalling a recent trip where she saw vast orange orchards, she described the experience as "mind-blowing" and encouraged Nigerian youths to harness the nation's untapped opportunities.

 

"I pray that our young people will see the resources we have in this nation. We have not even begun to explore them because we are thinking it's oil, but there are so many things," she said.

 

She further urged Nigerians, particularly the younger generation, to remain hopeful and take ownership of the country's future, describing Nigeria as a blessed nation with enormous potential for growth and prosperity.