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Tag: David Umahi

  • Umahi Defends Remi Tinubu, Says ‘My Mother Sold Akara, My Father Was a Farmer’

    Minister of Works David Umahi has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over criticism of her recent remarks encouraging Nigerians to embrace vocational skills and small-scale businesses, saying her advice was genuine and should not be ridiculed.

    Speaking at a public event, Umahi said every Nigerian must develop a strong work ethic, adding that not everyone can pursue the same profession.

    ‘My mother sold akara’

    The minister recalled his upbringing, saying his family earned a living through farming and petty trading before he rose to public office.

    “My mother was selling akara. My mother was a farmer. My father was a farmer. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that having used that to train me, I will continue to farm at their scale or continue to sell akara at their scale,” he said.

    He urged Nigerians not to dismiss practical advice simply because it involves humble beginnings.

    Supports First Lady’s message

    Umahi said the First Lady was encouraging young people to become productive rather than remain unemployed.

    “When our First Lady, our Mother of the Nation, was trying to encourage the youths, we must change our work attitude. Everybody must be working. Everybody must have something to do,” he said.

    He added that developing practical skills remains important for national development.

    “Why do we make joke of every genuine advice? Will everybody be a banker at the same time? So, let us be serious, for once,” he added.

    Responds to Lagos flooding claims

    The minister also rejected claims that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contributed to the recent flooding experienced in parts of Lagos.

    Responding to comments by Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni, Umahi said infrastructure experts should be allowed to address technical issues.

    “Leave this profession for us. We, the professors of infrastructure, leave it for us,” he said.