“APC didn’t make me rich” – Joe Igbokwe speaks on ‘akara business’ controversy

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe has defended the advise by First Lady Remi Tinubu for Nigerians to embrace small businesses like frying akara, selling Kuli-kuli and the likes of it.

Igbokwe while sharing his own remarkable rags-to-riches story said being a member of the ruling party did not make him wealthy.

In a post made on Facebook, the APC chieftain painted a picture of a life built on grit, hard work, and determination long before his participation in politics.

“Some people will see me today and think in their wildest imaginations that I am rich because I belong to APC Nigeria. My story will choke you to the marrow,” Igbokwe wrote.

He recounted starting to support his mother financially as a primary school pupil in the 1970s.

As a young boy, Igbokwe said he fetched firewood and water for sale, planted yams for people on their farms, and later worked as a bus conductor in the bustling streets of Lagos.

He also stated that after graduating as a Mechanical Engineer from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1985, he ventured into entrepreneurship. In 1988, Igbokwe opened a restaurant business on Western Avenue in Lagos.

According to him, expanded into selling motor parts, trading in cars, buying and selling land, and has authored five books.

“Today I am a fulfilled man,” he declared, attributing his success to consistent effort rather than political patronage.

The APC stalwart described the First Lady’s controversial remarks as timely and sincere guidance for Nigeria’s youth.

“HE Oluremi Tinubu raised a fundamental issue that will help our young people to grow up and make it in life.

“HE Oluremi is a wise woman. She knows something you do not know. No food for lazy man,” he added.

He warned against get-rich-quick schemes, while urging Nigerians to shun “Yahoo Yahoo”, 419 scams, and stealing.

He further advocated learning trades and skills, starting small, and upholding values of honesty, kindness, courage, strength, responsiveness, and responsibility.

“You cannot plant cassava and go to harvest yam,” Igbokwe added.