Odewaleadesoye: The debate about Senator Oluremi Tinubu's comments on akara, agbado and kuli-kuli has divided many Nigerians. Some have defended her statement, saying there is dignity in labour and that many successful people started from humble beginnings. On that point, they are right.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with selling akara, roasting corn, making kuli-kuli, or engaging in any honest business. Millions of Nigerians have raised families, trained children through school, and built successful lives through small businesses. Honest work deserves respect.
But that is not why many Nigerians are angry.
The real issue is that Nigerians are tired of being told to manage hardship while those in power continue to live comfortably.
When a government is performing well, citizens are discussing opportunities, innovation, jobs, infrastructure, healthcare and education. When people are struggling to survive, every statement about poverty naturally becomes controversial.
Yes, ₦50,000 may help some petty traders. It may help a woman already selling food or a market trader who only needs a little support to restock goods. That is true.
But we must also ask an honest question: what about the millions of Nigerians already drowning in debt, unable to feed their families, struggling with rent, transport costs, school fees and rising food prices?
If someone owes ₦150,000, has not eaten properly for days, and is struggling to survive, how far can ₦50,000 really go?
The problem is not the grant itself. The problem is presenting survival as economic progress.
Nigerians do not want handouts forever. Nigerians want an economy that works.
They want stable electricity so businesses can grow.
They want affordable food.
They want security so farmers can return to their farms.
They want jobs that pay decent wages.
They want access to credit with reasonable terms.
They want a country where young people can dream beyond daily survival.
Recent reports also show that political activities continue across the country while many citizens are battling economic hardship and insecurity. At the same time, schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State remain a source of concern for many Nigerians, with families still hoping for their safe return.
This is why many people reacted strongly to the akara conversation. It was never really about akara.
It was about frustration.
It was about a growing feeling that ordinary Nigerians are being asked to endure more sacrifices while receiving less hope in return.
Nobody is saying small businesses are bad.
Nobody is saying people should be ashamed of humble beginnings.
What Nigerians are saying is simple:
Stop weaponising poverty.
Stop making hardship look normal.
Stop treating survival as success.
Build an economy where people sell akara because they choose to, not because they have no other option.
A nation cannot continue to measure progress by how creatively its citizens cope with suffering.
The true measure of progress is how many people no longer have to struggle just to survive.
That is the conversation Nigeria should be having.
Nigerians deserve more than survival. They deserve a government that creates opportunities, protects lives, grows businesses, and restores hope. Until then, conversations about akara, agbado and kuli-kuli will continue to remind us of a much bigger problem.
Odewale Adesoye (A.K.A. Green Man) Concerned Nigerian and Advocate for Economic Opportunity
What have these children done to deserve this wickedness?
Their only offense, as it appears, is being born in today's Nigeria....a Nigeria where our leaders interprete every problem as political.
One supporter recently wrote elsewhere that the opposition is responsible for the widespread kidnappings and all. I asked if this was what his candidate did when he was in the opposition....or this rule only applies to the current opposition.
Don't we have security agencies again? If the opposition is truly responsible, why not name them with evidence, arrest and prosecute them?
You now see that these politicians don't care about us? They don't even have a functional brain. Because they are clueless and stupid upstairs, everything has got one interpretation - THE OPPOSITION.
The other day, they even blamed the opposition for the epileptic power supply.
Sad thing is, their followers, those who are the supposed leaders of tomorrow, young people, educated youths and young adults, think like these people....they carry the same ideology. Does this mean that even Nigeria's tomorrow is doomed?
What have you got to say about the offense of the bandits?
So you also gloss over the fact that these bandits are wrong
A lady has gone viral after sharing her controversial stance on domestic violence. According to her, no matter the situation, a man should never hit a woman back—even if she starts the physical confrontation. In the trending video, she explained that she would rather face divorce, police involvement, or any other consequence than be physically assaulted by her partner. She argued that men should walk away, restrain the situation, or seek help instead of retaliating. Her comments have sparked intense debates online, with many people sharing different opinions on self-defense, gender equality, and domestic violence.
Old Cargo will keep spewing till she turns 65 without marriage..
Jagabanfromcali: BS which your people are known for , there is documented and verified in the courts evidence of Tinubu’s involvement in the drug business
Jagabanfromcali: BS which your people are known for , there is documented and verified in the courts evidence of Tinubu’s involvement in the drug business
givedemwotowoto: Let's assume you were there as you claimed, you actually just confirmed that Anambra had high insecurity before Peter Obi took over leadership. He went to work immediately, and soon after, the results became obvious. Here is the then IG of Police declaring Anambra the safest state in 5 years under Peter Obi:
Crime › Re: Court Sentences Two To Death By Hanging For Kidnapping NYSC Staff (photo) by Mansa6: 7:55am On Jun 30
