‘Establish Foundations for the Poor’ – First Lady Urges Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, Other Celebrities

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on some of the country’s biggest music stars, including Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, and other celebrities, to establish charitable foundations aimed at supporting low-income Nigerians and small-scale traders.

Speaking at the launch of the National Community Food Bank in Abuja, the First Lady said celebrities have the financial capacity to complement government efforts by empowering struggling Nigerians, particularly petty traders and entrepreneurs.

She encouraged the entertainers to channel part of their wealth into initiatives that would provide financial assistance and opportunities for pepper sellers, vegetable vendors, okra sellers, melon traders, akara sellers, and other small business owners.

“The Burna Boys of this world, the Asakes, all of them, Davido—we want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money,” she said.

While acknowledging that there is nothing wrong with owning luxury cars such as Maybachs and Rolls-Royces, Mrs Tinubu stressed that wealthy celebrities could also make a significant impact by investing in humanitarian causes.

“Good cars are good, a Maybach is good, a Rolls-Royce is good, but still, you can help. The burden on the government is huge. You can still help,” she added.

The First Lady cited the example of a university graduate who turned to selling akara after failing to secure employment in Abuja. According to her, support provided to the entrepreneur enabled the business to expand significantly.

“Akara is delicious. I once read about a graduate who started selling akara because he couldn’t get a job in Abuja. We supported him, and today he has 12 employees and is doing very well,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu urged Nigerian celebrities to unite under charitable foundations to assist vulnerable citizens, noting that such efforts would complement government interventions and create more opportunities for those at the grassroots.