‘Burden on Govt Is Huge’, Remi Tinubu Asks Davido, Burna Boy to Help the Poor

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to Nigeria’s leading Afrobeats stars, including Davido, Burna Boy and Asake, to establish charitable foundations that would support poor and vulnerable Nigerians. She said this becomes necessary as the government alone cannot shoulder the growing burden of poverty in the country. She said celebrities who have attained […]

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to Nigeria’s leading Afrobeats stars, including Davido, Burna Boy and Asake, to establish charitable foundations that would support poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

She said this becomes necessary as the government alone cannot shoulder the growing burden of poverty in the country.

She said celebrities who have attained financial success should complement government efforts by investing part of their wealth in initiatives that directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens.

Mrs Tinubu made the appeal while speaking at the launch of the National Community Food Bank in Kogi State.

Addressing participants at the event, she cited Senegalese American singer Akon as an example of a global music icon known for using his success to support humanitarian causes.

“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry. I’ve mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work.

“The Burna Boys of this world, Asake, all of them, Davido. We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money,” she said.

The First Lady acknowledged that successful entertainers had every right to enjoy the rewards of their labour but urged them not to overlook the needs of struggling Nigerians.

“Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls Royce is good, but still you can help. The burden on the government is huge,” she said.

She added that support could be directed at petty traders and other low income earners, including “pepper sellers, vegetable vendors, melon sellers, okro sellers as well as akara and kulikuli producers”.

Mrs Tinubu also encouraged Nigerians, particularly young graduates, not to despise honest means of livelihood because of the nature of the work.

She recalled the story of a graduate in Abuja who ventured into selling zakara after failing to secure paid employment.

According to her, discreet assistance enabled him to expand the business.

“And there was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. He said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job.

“We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well. So our people should never despise jobs,” she said.

The National Community Food Bank was launched as part of broader efforts to improve food access for vulnerable households.

The First Lady’s latest appeal comes barely two weeks after her earlier remarks encouraging petty trading, including selling akara, kuli kuli and roasted corn, sparked widespread criticism from Nigerians.

Many argued that the comments did not reflect the country’s worsening economic hardship.

Responding to the backlash, Mrs Tinubu clarified that her remarks were not limited to akara sellers but were intended to highlight the Federal Government’s empowerment programmes for petty traders, including tomato, pepper, vegetable and boli sellers.

She maintained that the interventions would continue despite the criticism, insisting that dignity in labour and support for small businesses remain central to the administration’s empowerment drive.

The debate gained fresh attention when President Bola Tinubu, during a Presidential Villa event earlier this month, jokingly introduced his wife as “Iya Alakara” (Mother of Akara).

The reference drew laughter from the audience and underscored how widely the remarks had resonated in public discourse.

Her latest call on wealthy entertainers to establish charitable foundations broadens that conversation.