My mother sold Akamu, defence minister defends dignity of petty trading

Nigeria's Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has emphasized the importance of not undervaluing the work of petty traders, highlighting the dignity inherent in honest work regardless of its scale. At a workshop in Abuja aimed at empowering widows and wives of service personnel, Musa drew parallels between his own life and the experiences of those who engage in small-scale business.

The event, titled "Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development," was organized by the Ministry of Defence and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). Musa reflected on the recent financial assistance provided by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to akara sellers and other petty traders, expressing surprise at the negative reactions from citizens.

He recounted how his mother, who sold akamu and akara, played a crucial role in supporting his family and shaping his future. Musa strongly defended the dignity of such businesses, urging participants to embrace entrepreneurial opportunities as a means to improve their livelihoods.