The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has defended recent comments by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on the akara business, saying her remarks were intended to encourage Nigerian youths to embrace hard work and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on the controversy, Umahi said the First Lady’s message had been misunderstood, stressing that there is dignity in every legitimate profession and that hard work remains the key to success.

According to him, “Our First Lady, Remi Tinubu, was trying to encourage Nigerian youths. We must change our work attitude; everyone must be hardworking like the Chinese. My mother sold akara, and my father was a farmer. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that because they used those businesses to train me, I must continue farming at their level.”

Umahi noted that while his parents’ occupations helped shape his future, education and determination enabled him to pursue a different career path. He urged young Nigerians to value honest work while striving for greater achievements through dedication and perseverance.

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