- Musa praised the dignity of petty trading
- He said his mother sold akara and akamu
- He urged military families to embrace entrepreneurship
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians not to look down on petty traders, revealing that his mother sold akara and akamu to help raise and support their family.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Musa made the remarks during a one-day entrepreneurship training and financial empowerment programme for widows and wives of military personnel held 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 partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Reflecting on his upbringing, the minister said his mother’s small business played a vital role in his education and eventual rise to public office.
He also referred to the criticism that followed recent financial support provided by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to akara sellers and other petty traders, describing the reactions as disappointing.
According to Musa, many families have improved their living conditions and educated their children through income earned from small businesses.
He said he was proud of his mother’s efforts, noting that her sale of akara and akamu helped support the household and contributed to his success.
The minister stressed that no honest means of earning a living should be considered insignificant, urging Nigerians to respect the dignity of labour.
He encouraged participants at the programme to make good use of the business training and financial support offered to establish or expand their enterprises.
Musa added that entrepreneurship could provide military families with additional and sustainable sources of income, reducing dependence on salaries and government assistance.
The empowerment initiative is aimed at equipping widows and wives of members of the Armed Forces with practical business skills and financial resources.
Organisers said the programme forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the welfare of military families while promoting entrepreneurship among vulnerable groups.
