Oluremi Tinubu Urges Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, Other Wealthy Nigerians to Establish Charities for the Poor

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on wealthy Nigerians, particularly successful entertainers such as Burna Boy, Davido and Asake, to channel part of their wealth into charitable foundations to support the country’s vulnerable population.

Speaking on Saturday at the launch of the North Central National Community Food Bank in Lokoja, Kogi State, the First Lady said government alone could not shoulder the burden of caring for millions of vulnerable Nigerians, urging affluent individuals to complement ongoing social intervention programmes.

“We have a lot of wealthy people. But our priorities are different. And I think it’s high time we started helping those who need help in the country,” she said.

She challenged leading figures in the entertainment industry to emulate international celebrities who combine successful careers with philanthropy.

“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,” the First Lady stated.

Senator Tinubu also appealed to Nigerians not to look down on modest but legitimate means of livelihood, stressing that small businesses remain the backbone of the nation’s economy.

She recounted the story of a university graduate who turned to street vending after failing to secure formal employment and, following support, had expanded the business to become an employer of about 12 people.

“Our people should never despise small jobs,” she said.

As part of efforts to support micro-enterprises, the First Lady announced a donation of ₦100 million through the Renewed Hope Initiative to the Office of the First Lady of Kogi State. The fund will provide ₦50,000 grants to 2,000 petty traders across the state.

She commended the beneficiaries for embracing small-scale entrepreneurship, noting that the trays of pepper, tomatoes, okra and other produce they brought to welcome her reflected the resilience of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Speaking on the National Community Food Bank Programme, Senator Tinubu described it as a deliberate and sustainable intervention aimed at addressing food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households.

According to her, the initiative targets children under six years, pregnant women and nursing mothers, and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by promoting food security, improving healthcare outcomes and strengthening social welfare.

She said the programme is being implemented through a partnership involving the Office of the First Lady, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Bank of Agriculture.

Earlier, the First Lady met with the Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, urging them to champion the implementation of the National Community Food Bank Programme by ensuring that food supplies reach the intended beneficiaries.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the Renewed Hope Initiative to programmes aimed at improving the welfare and livelihoods of Nigerian families.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, commended the First Lady for her interventions across the country, describing them as evidence of her commitment to improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his economic reforms, saying the President had taken difficult but necessary decisions to rescue the country’s economy.

During her one-day visit to Kogi State, Senator Tinubu commissioned the Oluremi Tinubu Pension and Treasury House, the Lokogoma Primary Healthcare Centre, which also serves as a food distribution point under the programme, and the new office complex of the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency.