Minister of Defence Christopher Musa has urged Nigerians to respect petty traders, saying no honest way of earning a living should ever be looked down on.
Speaking in Abuja at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of military personnel, Musa shared how his mother supported their family by selling akara and akamu. He said her sacrifice helped shape his journey to becoming Minister of Defence.
The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Defence in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). It was themed Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development and aimed to equip participants with business skills and financial support.
Using his family’s story to encourage the beneficiaries, Musa said his mother’s petty trading complemented his father’s efforts and changed their family’s future.
“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.
“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 added, “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.”
Musa said entrepreneurship gives families a reliable path to self-reliance and stronger finances. He urged participants to make good use of the opportunity, expressing confidence that supporting military families through enterprise development would improve their welfare and complement the Federal Government’s efforts.
