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Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians not to look down on petty traders, saying there is dignity in honest work regardless of the size of the business.
According to Vanguard, Musa made the remarks on Sunday at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of Armed Forces personnel at Lungi Barracks in Abuja.
The workshop, 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).
Reflecting on the criticism that followed recent financial support provided by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to akara sellers and other petty traders, the minister said he was surprised by some of the public reactions.
“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,” he said.
Musa recounted how his mother’s small business played a significant role in supporting the family and shaping his future.
“Standing here today as the Minister of Defence, my mother sold akamu. It is with that akamu that my mother supported me to where I am today,” he said.
He added that his mother also sold akara to supplement the family’s income.
“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.
The minister stressed that entrepreneurship and small-scale businesses remain vital tools for economic empowerment and family support, encouraging participants to take advantage of opportunities that could improve their livelihoods.
The empowerment programme was designed to equip widows and wives of Armed Forces personnel with entrepreneurial skills and financial support as part of the Nigerian Government’s efforts to strengthen the welfare of military families and promote enterprise development.
