Ms Tinubu-Ojo also declared herself the first daughter of Nigeria.
Barely two days into his administration, the daughter of the newly sworn-in president of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, has declared herself the Iyaloja-General of the republic.
Ms Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja of Lagos markets, also crowned herself the first daughter of Nigeria.
Iyaloja is a Yoruba word that translates to "Mother of the Market" in South Western states. It is an elective position commonly used to refer to market leader.
Every market has a male and a leader known as Babaloja and Iyaloja, respectively.
Among the leaders, a general leader is chosen hence the title, Iyaloja-General.
Ms Tinubu-Ojo, 47, had held the position of Iyaloja-General since 2013, when she took over from her grandmother, Abibat Mogaji, whoicurrent president's mother.
Ms Tinubu-Ojo stirred angst when she updated her Twitter bio to read, "This is the official handle of the Iyaloja General of Nigeria. The First Daughter of the FRN" on Monday.
Her updated Twitter bio is a far cry from the previous administration, where the president's children were not visible. Even the 'Office of the First Lady' was not recognised.
Created in October 2022, the Twitter handle already has over twenty-two thousand followers.
First daughter
As the first child of the president, having lost her elder brother, Ms Tinubu Ojo is a member of the first family.
The first family is an unofficial title which draws its etymology from pop culture and became popular in 1962 after American comedian Vaughn Meader released his comedy album, 'The First Family'.
Going by reactions, many seem to believe that Ms Tinubu-Ojo, by announcing herself as the First Daughter of Nigeria, may be getting some other monetary inducements.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Iyaloja of Lagos launched her latest project, Friends of Iyaloja Initiative, which she said will channel her experience, connections and human resources towards supporting her father's administration.
"I shall be focusing on Youth & Women Empowerment, empowering people with Special Needs, empowering the vulnerable and several other programs aimed at affecting the lives of Nigerians, especially, those in the grassroots.
"We shall partner with other notable NGOs with track records of excellence in the Key areas. We shall also seek collaborations with several governmental agencies, ministries and parastatals created to serve Nigerians in areas that pertain to our operational cycle," she wrote.
Reactions
Her newly updated bio, however, did not go down well with Nigerian Twitter users who have not failed to air their opinion on the matter.
Daughter of Bola Ahmed Tinubu was quick to update her Twitter and official from Iyaloja of Lagos to Iyaloja General of Nigeria. Remaining MC Oluomo. They want the titles and power for their personal actualization but nothing to do with it.-- Omotayo Williams (@KadunaResident) May 31, 2023
Who is Iyaloja? Who is this person parading herself as the "The Iyaloja General of Nigeria" ?Who constituted the office? What exactly is her duty? https://t.co/oCnZ84JQh0-- Chude Nnamdi (@chude__) May 31, 2023
Meet Folashade Tinubu, Iyaloja General of Nigeria! 🤣Soon, Tinubu will create an office for MC Oluomo, 'Agbero General of Nigeria.'😂"Yoruba Ronu" abi? You will see renewed shege in this regime!600 Naira fuel is the beginning."On Asiwaju's mandate" shall you trek & sûffër 🤣 pic.twitter.com/xeXjsCnkiE-- Itz Lara Miles (@itzlaramiles) May 31, 2023
You dey talk about Remi, their daughter Shade don make herself Iyaloja General of Nigeria. Haha! She don even launch one Pet initiative wey she go use dey syphon money. Haha! Naija don jam big time.-- Victor Wolemonwu (@DrVic_Exotic) May 31, 2023
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Agbado's "Iyaloja General of Nigeria" should come here in Anambra and collect dues from market people.I want to check something 😂 *holds laugh*-- Dara (@ronaldnzimora) May 31, 2023
Iyaloja General
In 2013, it was revealed that the late President General of Lagos Market Men and Women, Abibat Mogaji, appointed Ms Tinubu-Ojo as her successor before she passed away.
This was against speculations that President Tinubu, the former governor of the state, handpicked her to lead the market women.
Before her appointment, the First Daughter was the Deputy President General of the Market Men and Women.
Since then she has functioned as not only the leader of market traders, but also one of the leading women in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN which morphed into the All Progressives Congress, APC.
