My Mum Sold Akamu, Akara to Train Me – Defence Minister Musa

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has recounted how his mother sold akamu and akara to support the family, saying he is proud of her hustle and urging Nigerians not to look down on petty traders.

Musa made the remarks on Friday at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of service personnel at Lungi Barracks, 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 SMEDAN.

His comments come weeks after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu provided financial support for akara sellers and other petty traders a gesture that sparked mixed reactions online.

Addressing the criticism, the minister told his personal story to highlight the dignity of honest work.

“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,” Musa said.

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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.”

He said his mother’s determination through small-scale trading played a major role in his journey to becoming Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.

The empowerment programme was designed to equip widows and wives of service personnel with entrepreneurial skills and financial support.

It is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the welfare of military families and promote enterprise development under the “Renewed Hope” agenda.