My mother sold akamu, akara to support our family, says Nigeria's Defence Minister

Nigeria's Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, has spoken out in support of petty traders, sharing a personal anecdote about his mother's resilience. He revealed that his mother sold "akamu" (a type of cornmeal pap) and "akara" (bean cakes) to support their family, expressing immense pride in her hard work and urging Nigerians to respect such endeavors.

Musa made these remarks during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of service personnel at Lungi Barracks in Abuja. The event, themed “Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,” was organized by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.

His comments arrive weeks after the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, offered financial support to "akara" sellers and other petty traders, a gesture that sparked mixed reactions. Reflecting on the criticism, Musa used his own background to underscore the dignity inherent in honest work and the value of entrepreneurship. "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," he stated, emphasizing that no one should feel that selling such items is "below standard."

Musa highlighted his mother's determination and her willingness to contribute to the family's well-being through small-scale trading as a significant factor in his own journey to becoming Minister of Defence. The empowerment program itself is designed to equip participants with entrepreneurial skills and provide financial support, aligning with the Federal Government's commitment to enhancing the welfare of military families and fostering enterprise development.

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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.