by Abiodun Ishola Ladepo
So, out of everything First Lady Remi Tinubu said in this video, all her detractors could latch onto is the one about “kulinkuli,” “akara business”, and “roasting corn.”
They didn’t hear the one about giving N2b of her own money towards Tuberculosis.
They didn’t hear the one about giving N1b towards breast cancer.
They didn’t hear the one about giving half a billion (N500M) towards malnutrition.
They didn’t hear the one about ICT training.
They didn’t hear the one about social engineering.
They didn’t hear the one about agriculture.
All in the same video o!
The only thing they heard is her point that it doesn’t take a lot of money to start akara, kulikulu, or corn roasting business, and that she’s given “grants” to people for those kinds of ventures.
They mocked, derided, and vilified her.
Those that have never given shishi in their life for their own parents, their own siblings, their own friends, their own neighbors to start ordinary booli-at’epa are criticizing her for giving money to total strangers.
I understand that we play politics with everything nowadays. Shebi I mock Bitter Obi and his ObIdiots here on a regular basis. I won’t be surprised if one ne’er-do-well comes under this post to call me “data boy” or “hungry man” for reminding them that this woman has been doing big and small philanthropy since before entering politics.
Entitlement mentality kee you die. Just because she is rich she must give everything she has to everyone all at the same time?
How much have their fathers given for charity to even their own family members, let alone outsiders?
This social media is something else.
Awon Executive Beggars – those going inbox on Facebook to beg people for money – are also criticizing her. No wonder you are begging for “urgent N200k”. You’d rather beg strangers on Facebook for money rather than fry akara to earn your own money in a dignified way.
Ori yin ti gbale.
You have banged your head on a hard surface.
Mama Ope, the famous restauranteur in Ibadan, started on a table-top (counter or ganter, as we call it) in Mokola market. From there, she rented a shop and turned it into a buka in that same Mokola market. From there, she opened an “ultra-modern” restaurant on Jemibewon road where only the rich ate. She kept the buka in Mokola. The one on Jemibewon is still there.
Amala Skye nko?
She started with a small buka in Bodija market. Then she renovated it, making it bigger and classier. Then she moved across the road in that Bodija market area and opened an ultra-modern restaurant for the rich. She kept the buka as well.
These are just two examples.
There’s a lady who fries akara almost directly across the road from the gate of Government College, Ibadan (GCI). She also sells bread. I have written about her before. She’s been doing it for as long as I can remember. Coman see crowd in front of her in the morning. Coman see crowd in front of the one frying puff-puff.
The “Ebi n pawa” group – ebi to n pa monamona ku yen lo de maa payin ku patapata-porogodo-yanyan🤣.
Awon eleregbe.
There’s a lot of arable land in Oyo State. If you need money, coman start farming. You will find land to lease for small amount if you can’t buy yet.
Ko je bo se je.
Doxology.
PS: Ironically, I was at a party yesterday evening where young people catered. One was at the grill doing chicken. It was awesome.
One was at the akara frying pan. We had three rounds of hot akara at our tables.
One was in charge of fresh palm wine. I had two ahas (calabash cup) before mixing the third with stout.
One supplied kulikuli.
One was in charge of assorted bottled drinks.
One was in charge of entertainment.
Etcetera Etcetera.
I know Tinubu haters and perpetual skeptics will think I am making it up to support Mrs. Tinubu. Ask Bayowa Hassan. He was there. He’s the one to my right in the attached photo taken as my second round palm wine was being poured.
Only the lazy will starve in Nigeria. And I don’t care if the lazy starves to death.
©️Abiodun Ishola Ladepo
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