‘Mama akara seller’ – Tinubu addresses First Lady amid controversial remark

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday made a slight remark where he referred to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as Iya Alakara in Yoruba which means mama akara seller.

He made this remark while acknowledging her at the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

Addressing guests at the event, the President said, “Gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, the Iya Alakara.”

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

DAILY POST reports that the remark appeared to reference a recent viral video in which the First Lady encouraged women to embrace small and medium scale businesses, saying that starting a petty trade such as frying akara is not difficult.

The First Lady’s comment had stirred mixed reactions, especially among youths as some saw it as an insult.