The Renewed Hope Neighbour 2 Neighbour, a pro-government group, says First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu’s recent comment on selling akara, was a message of economic empowerment.
This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, by the group’s National Coordinator, Belusochukwu Enwere.
Enwere, who said that the first lady’s comments had been taken out of context on social media, added that the remarks were made in the context of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s efforts to empower vulnerable Nigerians through grants and skills acquisition programmes.
According to him, the first lady’s comments were clear and constructive. They highlight the importance of starting small businesses with minimal capital and scaling them up over time.
He explained that examples such as selling akara, kuli-kuli, and roasted corn were domestic business ideas that required relatively low start-up capital.
He added that the comments reflected a widely accepted entrepreneurial principle that successful businesses often began on a small scale before expanding through hard work.
“We regret that these remarks have been taken out of context and sensationalised by some sections of the public and social media.
“The first lady’s message was one of hope, resilience and practical empowerment; start small, grow big,” he said.
According to Enwere, the philosophy aligns with the realities of entrepreneurship both in Nigeria and globally, where many successful enterprises evolve from modest beginnings.
He commended the first lady for what he described as her commitment to improving the welfare of women, youths and other vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Enwere noted that the initiative had provided grants, vocational training, healthcare interventions and other support programmes, aimed at promoting self-reliance and reducing poverty.
He also highlighted Tinubu’s personal interventions in funding programmes targeting tuberculosis eradication, breast cancer support and the fight against malnutrition.
”The efforts demonstrate her commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to support the first lady’s initiatives rather than criticising her remarks, stressing that tackling poverty and unemployment required collective action.
“Eradicating hunger and poverty requires collective action, shared responsibility and a renewed sense of optimism.
“Let us focus on the substance of the first lady’s vision of empowering citizens to take ownership of their economic destinies, one small business at a time,” he said.
He further urged the media and members of the public to engage constructively with Tinubu’s empowerment programmes instead of distorting her message.
He emphasised that supporting small businesses remained a key pathway to economic growth and self-sufficiency.
He also expressed confidence that the Renewed Hope Agenda would help build a more prosperous Nigeria.
