Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Christopher Musa, has revealed that his mother sold akara and akamu to support the family, saying he remains proud of her sacrifices and urging Nigerians not to look down on petty traders.
Musa made the remark at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of Armed Forces personnel at Lungi Barracks in Abuja. The programme, themed “Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,” was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Recalling the mixed reactions that greeted the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu’s recent financial support for akara sellers and other petty traders, the minister said many Nigerians fail to appreciate the dignity of honest labour.
“A few weeks ago, the first lady, the mother of the nation, contributed some amount for akara sellers and others, and I was surprised when I heard the responses from citizens.
Standing here today as the Minister of Defence, my mother sold akamu. It is with that akamu that supported my mother to where I am today.
I am very proud that my mother supported my father by selling akara and akamu. Don’t let anybody make you feel that selling akara and akamu is below standard,” he said.
Musa said his mother’s determination and willingness to support the family through small-scale trading played a major role in shaping his journey to becoming Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.
He encouraged participants at the empowerment programme to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that no legitimate business is too small to create opportunities and transform lives.
