Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has triggered talk after urging some of the country's biggest music stars to use part of their wealth to support poor and vulnerable Nigerians, saying the government cannot shoulder the burden alone.
Speaking during the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Saturday, Tinubu singled out Davido, Burna Boy and Asake, urging them to establish or support charitable foundations to help struggling citizens.
“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry,” she said, adding that Nigerians would like to see successful musicians actively supporting the less fortunate.
While acknowledging there was nothing wrong with celebrities enjoying luxury lifestyles, including owning Maybachs and Rolls-Royces, she encouraged them to use their success to uplift disadvantaged communities.
“The burden on the government is huge. You can still help,” she said.
Tinubu cited Senegalese-American singer Akon as an example of an entertainer using his wealth and influence for philanthropy.
“I will use Akon, a music icon, who does a lot of great charity work. Then 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,” she said.
The First Lady also defended programmes supporting small-scale traders, recounting how one of her initiatives helped an unemployed university graduate selling akara in Abuja grow his business and employ 12 people.
Her remarks come as millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with the rising cost of living.
They also follow recent comments by President Bola Tinubu, who lamented Nigeria's inability to manufacture slippers, arguing that instead of using cowhide to produce quality shoes and bags, many Nigerians consume ponmo, which he described as a reflection of poverty.