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| Mr Real |
Nigerian singer, Mr Real, has rejected First Lady Remi Tinubu’s suggestion that Nigerians consider small-scale businesses as a means of livelihood, declaring that he would rather become a bandit than sell akara or kuli-kuli.
Naija Brain reports that the First Lady, while speaking on the activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, encouraged Nigerians to explore low-capital businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli.
According to her, the initiative provides grants, rather than loans, to vulnerable Nigerians to help them establish small businesses.
She said, “To start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn or kuli-kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave them a grant. We have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. I also gave to several others.”
Reacting in a series of posts on his Instagram page, Mr Real dismissed the advice, insisting he would rather resort to banditry than engage in petty trading.
The singer wrote, “I go rather join bandit than to sell kulikuli and Akara. And my target will be politicians. At least if am being caught they will habitat me. So is worth the risk.”
His comments came amid growing criticism of the First Lady’s remarks on social media.
Also reacting, Nigerian disc jockey Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, faulted Remi Tinubu’s comments, arguing that the government should focus on creating opportunities and infrastructure that empower citizens rather than encouraging subsistence businesses.
The First Lady had stated that the Renewed Hope Initiative was designed to provide financial support through grants to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable Nigerians.
She said, “We’re trying to give hope, and to start the 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.
“So we’ve encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. What is within our hands, I have given, and I keep giving.”
However, DJ Switch condemned the remarks in a post on her Instagram page, describing the advice as out of touch with the realities facing Nigerians.
She wrote, “With absolute no due respect Remi! Thunder fire you! While other nations are creating spaces and infrastructure to develop their people for this rapidly developing world, you want us to sell kuli-kuli? And the otondo’s behind you are nodding their greedy necks! I can’t express how much I despise you, people.”