Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has made a passionate appeal to the nation’s biggest Afrobeats stars, including Burna Boy, Davido, and Asake, urging them to use their wealth to support underprivileged citizens. According to her, the responsibility of providing for the country’s vast population is too heavy for the government to shoulder alone.
Speaking at the launch of the National Community Food Bank in Kogi State, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the need for collective effort in alleviating poverty. She pointed to international music icon Akon as a prime example of an entertainer who has consistently used his resources for impactful humanitarian work.
‘Maybachs and Rolls-Royces Are Good, But Help the Poor’
During her speech, the First Lady acknowledged the luxurious lifestyles of Nigeria’s music elite but challenged them to channel some of their wealth into structured philanthropy. She urged them to establish foundations that directly benefit grassroots traders and everyday Nigerians struggling to make ends meet.
“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,” Mrs. Tinubu said. “Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls-Royce is good, but you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.”
She added that these acts of charity could go a long way in supporting micro-businesses, such as pepper, vegetable, okra, and melon sellers, who form the backbone of the local economy.
Don’t Despise Humble Beginnings
In addition to her plea to the entertainment industry, the First Lady urged young Nigerians not to look down on legitimate means of earning a living. She cautioned against waiting indefinitely for white-collar jobs when entrepreneurship and petty trading could lead to financial independence.
To illustrate her point, she shared a success story of a young graduate in Abuja who resorted to selling akara (bean cakes) due to unemployment. After her office discovered his dedication, they stepped in discreetly to equip his business.
“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,” the First Lady remarked, encouraging youths to embrace industriousness in any positive form.