President Bola Tinubu on Thursday jokingly referred to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara” during a public event, in what appeared to be a light-hearted reference to the recent debate sparked by her comments on petty trading.
The President made the remark while acknowledging dignitaries at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House, Abuja.
A video of the event shared by Aso Rock TV showed Tinubu smiling as he greeted guests before introducing his wife with the nickname.
“Good evening, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara,” the President said, drawing laughter from members of the audience.
The comment comes weeks after the First Lady advised Nigerian women to embrace small-scale businesses such as selling akara (bean cakes), roasted corn and kuli-kuli under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s economic empowerment programme.
