JUST IN: President Bola Tinubu playfully praised First Lady Remi Tinubu during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja.
ABUJA, FCT — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday jokingly referred to First Lady Remi Tinubu as “Iya Alakara,” meaning “Mama Akara Seller,” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. The President made the remark while acknowledging his wife during the event attended by government officials and members of the media.
According to remarks made at the dinner, the President described the First Lady as “my dear wife, First Lady, Iya Alakara.” The comment came in reference to recent statements by Mrs Tinubu about akara, a popular bean cake widely consumed across Nigeria.
The light-hearted remark drew laughter from guests at the banquet hall as the President continued his address. The Presidency has not issued any additional statement on the comment, but videos and reports from the event showed the exchange generated reactions among attendees.
The Presidential Press Corps Dinner is an annual gathering that brings together journalists covering the Presidency and senior government officials. The event often provides an opportunity for informal interactions between government leaders and members of the press.
The development means the President’s remarks are likely to attract public attention on social media, where comments made by top public officials often generate discussion beyond the event itself. It also highlights the informal atmosphere that occasionally characterises official state functions in Nigeria.
