A pro-government group, Renewed Hope Neighbour 2 Neighbour, has defended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, over public criticism of her recent remarks encouraging Nigerians to start small businesses such as selling akara, describing the comments as a practical message of economic empowerment rather than an attempt to downplay the country’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the group’s National Coordinator, Hon. Belusochukwu Enwere, said the First Lady’s comments had been taken out of context and sensationalised on social media.
According to the group, Senator Tinubu’s remarks were made in the context of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s efforts to empower vulnerable Nigerians through grants and skills acquisition programmes.
“The First Lady’s comments were clear and constructive. They highlighted the importance of starting small businesses with minimal capital and scaling them up over time,” the statement said.
It explained that examples such as selling akara, kuli-kuli, roasted corn and similar ventures were merely used to illustrate business ideas that require relatively low start-up capital, particularly when supported with grants instead of loans.
The group argued that the comments reflected a widely accepted entrepreneurial principle that successful businesses often begin on a small scale before expanding through hard work, innovation and sustained support.
“We regret that these remarks have been taken out of context and sensationalized 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,” Enwere added.
According to Renewed Hope Neighbour 2 Neighbour, the philosophy aligns with the realities of entrepreneurship both in Nigeria and globally, where many successful enterprises evolved from modest beginnings.
The organisation also commended the First Lady for what it described as her commitment to improving the welfare of women, youths and other vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
It noted that the initiative had provided grants, vocational training, healthcare interventions and other support programmes aimed at promoting self-reliance and reducing poverty.
The statement further highlighted Senator Tinubu’s personal interventions in funding programmes targeting tuberculosis eradication, breast cancer support and the fight against malnutrition, saying the efforts demonstrate her commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
The group called on Nigerians to support the First Lady’s initiatives rather than criticising her remarks, stressing that tackling poverty and unemployment requires 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: empowering citizens to take ownership of their economic destinies, one small business at a time,” the statement said.
It also urged the media and members of the public to engage constructively with the First Lady’s empowerment programmes instead of distorting her message.
The group maintained that supporting small businesses remains a key pathway to economic growth and self-sufficiency, expressing confidence that the Renewed Hope Agenda would help build a more prosperous Nigeria.
