Nigeria's Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians to embrace the dignity of honest labour, saying no one should be looked down upon for earning a living through petty trading.
Addressing participants at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of military personnel at Lungi Barracks in Abuja, the minister shared a personal story about his upbringing, revealing that his mother sold akamu (pap) to support the family.
Musa said his mother's small business played a crucial role in his journey, proving that humble beginnings can lay the foundation for future success.
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 (SMEDAN).
The minister also reacted to the criticism that followed First Lady Oluremi Tinubu's financial support for akara sellers and other petty traders, expressing disappointment over the negative comments directed at the initiative.
According to Musa, small-scale traders contribute significantly to the nation's economy and deserve encouragement rather than ridicule. He stressed that every legitimate business, no matter how modest, has value and should be respected as a means of creating livelihoods and supporting families.