First Lady calls on music stars and wealthy Nigerians to support the less privileged through charity initiatives.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Afrobeats stars Burna Boy, Davido and Asake to establish charitable foundations to support vulnerable Nigerians.
Speaking in Lokoja, Kogi State, during the launch of the National Community Food Bank on Saturday, the First Lady said wealthy Nigerians, especially those in the entertainment industry, should complement government efforts by investing in humanitarian causes.
She noted that while luxury lifestyles are acceptable, successful entertainers should also use their wealth to uplift struggling citizens through organised charitable programmes.
Mrs. Tinubu cited Senegalese-American singer Akon as an example of a global music star known for supporting communities through philanthropy, urging Nigerian celebrities to emulate such initiatives.
She also encouraged Nigerians not to look down on honest means of livelihood, recounting the story of a graduate who started selling akara in Abuja after failing to secure a white-collar job and later expanded the business to employ 12 workers after receiving support.
As part of her visit to Kogi State, the First Lady announced a ₦100 million donation through the Renewed Hope Initiative to empower 2,000 petty traders with ₦50,000 each to expand their businesses.
She commended the beneficiaries for embracing small-scale entrepreneurship and encouraged more Nigerians to pursue legitimate businesses while contributing to the development of their communities.