The Presidency has launched a staunch defense of First Lady Remi Tinubu following public backlash over her advice to Nigerians to engage in small-scale, informal enterprises like selling bean cake (akara) and roasted corn.

Critics, including human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, had berated the remarks, suggesting the First Lady should instead set up these trades for her own family members.

However, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, countered the criticism during a recent interview on the Mic-On podcast. Mr. Dare shared his own personal background, revealing that he sold akara and bananas to support his mother while growing up in Jos, Plateau State.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Dare asserted. “My mother sold akara, bananas and oranges, and through this, they were able to train me.”

He further explained that the First Lady`s message has been widely misunderstood. According to the presidential aide, Mrs. Tinubu’s primary goal was to encourage entrepreneurship and emphasize that Nigerians should strive to engage in some level of economic activity rather than remaining idle, THENEWSCREDIT reports.

Highlighting the importance of the informal sector, Dare noted: “When you look at the informal sector of our country, its resilience continues to raise this economy. You must not miss the First Lady’s point. Her point is that whatever it is, try and do something”.