FG WARNS ABUJA AUTO DEALER SARKINMOTA OVER CONDESCENDING REMARKS AGAINST CIVIL SERVANTS. (PHOTO).

 FG Warns Abuja Auto Dealer Sarkinmota Over Condescending Remarks Against Civil Servants

The Federal Government, through the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has issued a stern warning to prominent Abuja automobile dealer, Alamin Sarkinmota, for taunting Nigerian civil servants in his promotional videos. The warning was contained in a letter signed by NOA Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, on Monday at 1:00 PM WAT.

The controversy stems from a recent video skit by Sarkinmota promoting a Mercedes Benz 2023 C300 with Artificial Intelligence (AI) functionalities. In the video, Sarkinmota asked the car, “Can civil servants afford you?” to which the AI responded, “No! Maybe in 2062.” The remark drew widespread criticism for its condescending tone toward civil servants.

In the letter, Issa-Onilu expressed the agency’s displeasure, stating, “At a time when Nigerians are passing through so much social pressure and in an environment where get-rich-at-all-cost syndrome is pervasive, it is wrong to be speaking in such condescending terms about Nigerian civil servants.” He emphasized the critical role civil servants play in creating an enabling environment for businesses like Sarkinmota’s to thrive, adding that such remarks undermine the dignity of labor and decent values.

“Civil servants across sectors are the ones who work hard to provide an enabling environment for businesses like yours to prosper. It is therefore indecent to speak condescendingly about Nigerian civil servants who dedicate many years to driving the machinery of government for national development,” the statement read.

The NOA urged Sarkinmota to be mindful of his language in future promotions to avoid hurting the sensibilities of any segment of Nigerians. The agency noted that the warning was prompted by feedback from numerous viewers of the video. “Kindly please take note,” Issa-Onilu added, while expressing hope for a Nigeria where the dignity of labor is valued over material wealth.

Sarkinmota, a well-known auto dealer in the Federal Capital Territory, has a history of trolling civil servants for their inability to afford the luxury vehicles he sells, a practice that has now drawn official rebuke.