Speaking on Saturday in Lokoja, Kogi State, during the launch of the National Community Food Bank, the First Lady said while the Federal Government continues to implement programmes to support citizens, the scale of poverty and economic hardship requires greater participation from wealthy individuals and the private sector.
According to her, Nigeria is blessed with many affluent citizens who can make meaningful contributions to society by investing in humanitarian causes and creating foundations that cater to the needs of the less privileged.
"Nigeria is a great country. 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.
"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," Mrs. Tinubu said.
Using some of Nigeria's biggest Afrobeats stars as examples, she urged them to establish charitable organisations that would directly support struggling Nigerians.
"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.
"Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls-Royce is good, but still you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.
"You can still help. There are pepper sellers. There are vegetable sellers. There are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara kulikuli. Akara is delicious. I can tell you that," she added.
The First Lady stressed that supporting small-scale traders and low-income earners could have a significant impact on communities, noting that every contribution counts regardless of its size.
She also encouraged Nigerians, particularly young people, not to look down on legitimate businesses or small-scale entrepreneurship, saying dignity exists in every honest means of earning a living.
Recalling the story of a university graduate who turned to selling akara after failing to secure white-collar employment, Mrs. Tinubu said perseverance and support helped transform the business into a thriving enterprise.
"And there was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn't get a job. And he said he sells Zakara because he couldn't get a job and he's in Abuja.
"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.
As part of ongoing empowerment efforts under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the First Lady announced an additional financial intervention for petty traders in Kogi State.
She disclosed that the initiative would provide ₦100 million to support another 2,000 small business owners across the state, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000 to strengthen and expand existing businesses.
"Today in that same spirit, the Renewed Hope Initiative has donated ₦100 million to the First Lady of Kogi State and RHI coordinator to empower another 2,000 petty traders in Kogi State with the sum of ₦50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.
"And I'm glad that the women who are beneficiaries, they got the idea because I saw them bringing their tray of different food items, very small items, to welcome me today, and I think the message is quite received no matter how people want to turn it around," Mrs. Tinubu added.
The National Community Food Bank initiative is designed to improve access to food for vulnerable Nigerians while complementing government efforts to address poverty, food insecurity and economic challenges across the country.