Tinubu jokingly calls his wife, Remi, ‘Iya Alakara’

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday appeared to join the controversy that accompanied his wife’s statement offering grants to women to sell akara and kulikuli’, local specialties.

The President’s humorous remark was made by calling the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ‘Iya Alakara’, an expression in Yoruba language which means a woman selling akara.

He made this statement while giving a confession at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

READ ALSO: Tinubu calls for manufacturing-led West Africa as ECOWAS opens new headquarters in Abuja

In front of the guests who attended the event, the President said, “Mr journalists, ladies and gentlemen, my beloved wife, First Lady, Iya Alakara.”

The President attended a dinner with his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at an event hosted by the State House Press Corps.

The statement appeared to refer to a recent viral video in which the First Lady encouraged women to go into small and medium scale businesses, saying that starting a small trade like frying akara was not difficult.

The First Lady’s comments have evoked mixed reactions among Nigerians who support and oppose her comments.