The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has said that although luxury is good, Burna Boy, Davido, Asake and other wealthy Nigerians should help the less-privileged.
She said “the burden on the government is huge”, so the rich should help.
Also, Mrs Tinubu reiterated her call for Nigerians to consider small businesses such as akara.
She made the calls in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Saturday, where she launched the national community food bank.
“Nigeria is a great country. We have a lot of wealthy people. But our priorities are different. And I think it’s high time we started helping those who need help in the country.
“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.
“Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls-Royce is good, but still you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.
“You can still help.
“There are pepper sellers. There are vegetable sellers. There are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara, kulikuli. Akara is delicious; I can tell you that,” she added.
The first lady also urged Nigerians not to look down on legitimate means of eking out a living.
“And I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. And he said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job, and he’s in Abuja.
“We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers under him, and he’s doing very, very well.
“So our people should never despise jobs,” she said.
Speaking on empowerment programmes in Kogi, Tinubu announced the donation of ₦100,000 to empower another 2,000 petty traders in the state.
She also commended the beneficiaries for their efforts.
“Today in that same spirit, the Renewed Hope Initiative has donated ₦100 million to the First Lady of Kogi State and RHI coordinator to empower another 2,000 petty traders in Kogi State with the sum of ₦50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.
“And I’m glad that the women who are beneficiaries, they got the idea because I saw them bringing their tray of different food items, very small items, to welcome me today.
“And I think the message is quite received, no matter how people want to turn it around,” Mrs. Tinubu added.