President Bola Tinubu on Thursday playfully referred to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara” (Mama Akara Seller), in an apparent light-hearted reference to the recent controversy surrounding her remarks on small-scale businesses.
The President made the remark while observing protocol during his address at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House, Abuja.
A video of the event was shared by Aso Rock TV on YouTube.
It showed Tinubu smiling as he acknowledged dignitaries in attendance before turning to his wife.
“Good evening, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara,” the President said, drawing laughter and reactions from the audience.
The nickname comes weeks after the First Lady urged Nigerian women to consider small-scale businesses such as selling akara (bean cakes), roasted corn and kuli-kuli through the Renewed Hope Initiative’s empowerment programme.
She had noted that such ventures “don’t take much money” to start.
