During his speech at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja, the President made the statement while according to etiquette.  Aso Rock TV posted a video of the event on YouTube.

Tinubu was seen grinning as he turned to his wife after acknowledging the dignitaries present.
The President continued, “Good evening, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara,” which caused the audience to chuckle and react.

The First Lady of Nigeria recently suggested that women explore small-scale businesses, such as selling akara (bean cakes), roasted corn, and kuli-kuli, as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s empowerment programme. This suggestion was met with criticism on social media, where some accused her of being insensitive to the current economic hardships faced by citizens. In response, she clarified that the empowerment initiative encompasses a broader range of businesses, including those selling tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, and roasted plantains, not just akara.

During the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, she addressed the backlash, stating that the Federal Government had contributed N100 million to empower 2,000 petty traders in the state. She emphasized the program’s aim to support various vendors to ensure sustainability in their trades, reassuring stakeholders that the initiative is comprehensive and not limited to just one type of trade. The First Lady reiterated the commitment to continue empowering these traders and enhancing their resources for better sustainability.