Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denounced the criticism that followed First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent call for Nigerians to participate in small-scale enterprises.
According to reports, Tinubu faced harsh criticism after she urged Nigerians, especially women, to think about starting small businesses like frying and selling roasted maize and akara in order to enhance their standard of living.
In a statement released on Saturday and signed by his media assistant, Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni expressed his opinion that the First Lady had been misinterpreted.
He maintained that Tinubu’s message was meant to promote economic self-sufficiency among Nigerians, particularly women and low-income families, through low-startup-capital enterprises.
He stated, “I want to address recent misinterpretations surrounding the First Lady’s advocacy for unofficial business ventures, particularly in the production and sale of traditional food items like akara and kulili.”
According to Mumuni, many Nigerians who are impoverished merely need a minimal amount of financial assistance to start small enterprises that can produce steady revenue.
In actuality, some impoverished Nigerians simply require a token to launch and successfully run a business. Some Nigerians can launch a business and start turning a profit with just ₦50,000 or ₦100,000. The First Lady is talking about those individuals. “Needless criticism is unnecessary,” he stated.
In addition to promoting low-cap companies, Mumuni stated that the Federal Government had implemented a number of initiatives to assist medium-sized and large-scale businesses.
He claims that programs like the Bank of Industry intervention funds and financing windows, the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, the Presidential Palliative Loan Program, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria’s support initiatives show the government’s dedication to empowering companies of all sizes.
He emphasized that the various programs cater to entrepreneurs with varying levels of funding needs, from small start-ups to established firms, and stated that many Nigerians had already benefited from the initiatives.
He claims that the First Lady’s remarks shouldn’t be seen as discounting the nation’s economic difficulties or restricting the goals of women.
“The First Lady’s remarks show that Nigerian women and families genuinely care about their financial independence. Her focus on these endeavors is motivated by the fact that easily accessible, low-capital business options can give households immediate cash and food security.
He said, “This is an acknowledgment of viable pathways that have demonstrably helped many families achieve basic sustenance, not a dismissal of women’s capabilities or potential.”
He asked Nigerians to differentiate between constructive criticism and what he called “misplaced anger.”
“We need to differentiate between good criticism and unjustified rage. Opinions regarding the direction of policy are legitimate, but it would be more fruitful to focus our combined efforts on tackling the serious issues confronting our country, such as pervasive insecurity, poverty, and hunger. These continue to be the crucial concerns that demand immediate national discussion and response, he said.
