President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has stirred fresh reactions after sharing an AI-generated image depicting First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, days after her remarks about small-scale businesses sparked widespread criticism.
The image, posted on Friday, portrays the First Lady operating a roadside akara stand while wearing an apron with the inscription, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”
The post came shortly after Mrs Tinubu suggested in an interview that businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli kuli require relatively little capital to start.
According to her, the Federal Government was supporting such ventures through grants rather than loans to help improve the livelihoods of Nigerians.
“We’re trying to give hope, and to start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” she had said.
Her remarks generated widespread debate, with critics accusing her of being out of touch with the country’s economic challenges, while supporters argued that she was merely pointing to affordable business opportunities.
The AI-generated image has since intensified discussions on social media. While some users described it as a humorous response to the criticism, others argued that it mocked Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
Reacting on X, a user identified as @Top_GunM wrote, “Warra country. It’s so unfortunate. This is meant to be the wife of the president of the most populous black nation in the world and this is what she’s being reduced to.”
Another user, who tweets as #mizmuchstella, criticised the Presidency’s media team, saying, “Whoever is the handler of this account should be sacked. Your job is to position this government as good, but it is obvious you have no basic knowledge of your job.”
Also reacting, #WilverZaddy said, “I hope Nigerians are seeing the man they voted for using them to catch cruise? Is this what a president is supposed to say? A president directly mocking the masses while the economy bites harder with high level of insecurity in the country. Such a big pity and mess.”
Another X uder #ChimaAmako82045 described the post as an insult to Nigerians, writing, “Keep enjoying this mediocrity n insult you are giving Nigerians, e just remain months to vote the idiotic family out of aso rock, and na that time when una wan rig am na him una go know Nigerians pain. Enjoy it while it last but remember it won’t last forever.”
The First Lady of Nigeria and the Akara Business: Thinking beyond ridicule
Remi Tinubu sparks debate after urging Nigerians to start akara, corn businesses
Straight, who writes as #outtahighbee, argued that the Presidency was damaging its own image, saying, “lol You guys are not helping this president of ours at all. You think you are but you keep dragging the old man down and further down with this cruise. Everybody can’t sell akara and kuli kuli now Abi iru wahala wo leleyi gan sef? Oro yin su mi o.”
Gentry☮️, who tweets as #gentrytee22, said the image reflected how little the government valued its citizens, describing it as “a nationwide meme.”
“This is to show how small the government of the day rates its citizens. You advocate for mediocrity and call it innovation, people who wants better for themselves complain now it has to turn to a nationwide meme being used by the government media team lol. It’s a shame,” the user wrote.
Offering a different perspective, Tim Oma, who writes as #SirTimeyin, defended the Presidency, arguing that Nigerians had already turned the First Lady’s comments into online jokes.
“I find it interesting that so many people are suddenly outraged. When the First Lady’s “Akara” comment became content, Nigerians turned it into skits, memes, and endless cruise. We laughed, and moved on. Now the President has added his own quota to thesame joke, and everyone is wailing. Why the surprise? Once a national issue becomes entertainment, don’t be shocked when those in power start treating it like one too. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
Another X user, Sta M, who tweets as #sto0511M, welcomed the image and encouraged the Presidency to release more similar content.
“Thank you for this image we want more of these kind images to dish out to them so that theh can continue roaming in 1 roundabout,abeg pepper 🌶 dem more for us our body sey sweet us with that PBAT statement,” the user wrote.
President Tinubu had on Thursday jokingly referred to the First Lady as “Iya Alakara” (Mama Akara Seller) while speaking at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja.
WARNING: If You Are Not 18+, Don’t Click The Link Below 👇🫣
Did you want to monetize your website, join MONETAG or ADSKEEPER and start earning
Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it.
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.
Never Miss A Single News Or Gist, Kindly Join Us On WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vad8g81Eawdsio6INn3B
Telegram Channel:
https://t.me/gistsmateNG
