“Your Maybach Can Wait” — First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Urges Burna Boy, Davido, Asake to Help Poor Nigerians

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on some of the country’s biggest music stars, including Burna Boy, Davido and Asake, to use their wealth and influence to support poor Nigerians through charitable foundations.

Speaking on Saturday in Lokoja, Kogi State, during the launch of the National Community Food Bank, the First Lady said celebrities have a role to play in easing the economic hardship facing many Nigerians.

She appealed directly to the entertainers to establish foundations that would provide support for vulnerable people across the country.

“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry. I’ve mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work.

“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.”

Oluremi Tinubu acknowledged that enjoying the rewards of success is not wrong but encouraged the musicians to balance luxury with philanthropy.

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

She added that support for struggling traders, including pepper sellers, vegetable sellers, melon sellers and other small business owners, could make a significant difference in many communities.

The First Lady also encouraged Nigerians not to look down on honest work, regardless of how small it may seem.

She recalled the story of a university graduate in Abuja who turned to selling akara after failing to secure white-collar employment.

According to her, the graduate later received support that helped him expand his business.

“There was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. He said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job.

“We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well.

“So our people should never despise jobs,” she said.

Her remarks come at a time when many Nigerians continue to grapple with rising living costs and economic challenges, with increasing calls for both government and private individuals to contribute to social welfare initiatives.