Nigeria, July 3 -- President Bola Tinubu on Thursday playfully referred to his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, as "Iya Alakara" (mother of the akara seller) while speaking at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House in Abuja.

The remark, which drew laughter and applause from guests, was made during his opening remarks.

"Good evening, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara," the president said.

The comment comes amid public debate over remarks recently made by the First Lady on women's empowerment through small-scale businesses.

According to TheCable, Oluremi Tinubu had attracted criticism on social media after describing businesses such as akara selling, roasted corn...