My mum sold akamu, akara to support our family — Defence Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed how his mother’s petty trading helped sustain his family and contributed to his rise in life.

Musa said his mother sold akara and akamu to support his father and provide for the family, stressing that he remains proud of her hard work.

The retired general spoke at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of service personnel at Lungi Barracks, Abuja.

“Standing here today as the Minister of Defence, my mother sold akamu. It is with that akamu that my mother supported me to where I am today,” he said.

“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 made the remarks while reacting to criticism that followed financial support provided by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to akara sellers and other petty traders.

He urged Nigerians not to look down on small-scale traders, saying honest work and entrepreneurship should be respected regardless of the size of the business.

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 the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.

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