₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government has warned Abuja automobile dealer, popularly known as Alamin Sarkinmota, against taunting civil servants in the country about their inability to acquire most of the cars he put up for sale in his advert videos.

This was disclosed by the National Orientation Agency in a letter signed by its Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, on Monday.

In the video, Sarkin Mota asked the AI functionality of a Mercedes Benz 2023 C300 if civil servants would be able to afford the vehicle.

“Can civil servants afford you?” he asked, and the AI function responded, saying, “No! may be in 2062.”

[b]This was as he urged viewers to hustle very well to be able to afford the cars he sells. According to Onilu, the agency is not pleased with the recent advert put up by Sarkin-Mola in a video to promote a Mercedes Benz 2023 C300 with Artificial Intelligence functionalities, where he asked the question “Can civil servants afford you?” and the AI function responded to say “No! may be in 2062.”
[/b]
The statement read, “We write in reference to a video skit that you made ostensibly to promote a Mercedes Benz 2023 C300 with Al functionalities, which you showcased and asked the question ‘Can civil servants afford you?’ and the Artificial intelligence function responded to say ‘No! may be in 2062.’

“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 and material things are being promoted over and above dignity of labour and decent values, it is wrong to be speaking in such condescending terms about Nigerian civil servants.

“To be a civil servant in Nigeria as is the case in most countries of the world is a very important role. Civil servants across sectors are the ones who work hard to provide enabling environment for businesses like yours to thrive and prosper.

“It is therefore indecent to speak condescendingly about Nigerian civil servants who spend many years of their lives dedicated to driving the machinery of
government so that businesses like yours can thrive for the benefit of
national development.”

The agency therefore warned the auto dealer to mind his choice of words whenever he is trying to promote his vehicles for sale so as not to hurt what it described as “sensibilities of any segment of Nigerians.”

“We have taken the trouble to respond based on the feedback we are getting from many people who have watched your video skit on the 2023 C300 Mercedes-Benz. Kindly please take note.

“Please accept the assurance of my best wishes as we work together to build a resilient country where every cadre of citizen can thrive and be respected, a Nigeria where dignity of labour is valued over and above material things,” the statement added.

Source: https://www.intelregion.com/news/fg-warns-dealer-sarkin-mota-over-viral-video-mocking-civil-servants-ability-to-afford-luxury-car/

The car is not for civil servants simple
True or false?
If they are triggered they should simply review the welfare of civil servants

They are mad. Someone is doing his business and doing marketing how best he believes it is and the govt is reacting. Isn't it sad and pitiable that civil servants can actually not afford luxury cars?? Is the guy wrong in what he said about civil servants

Actually, civil servants can loot every kobo allocated to their ministries to buy any car of their choice. If you go to Abuja, you'll see that happening. Civil servants even have estates in Abuja.

Let's be mindful of what we put of there in the name of ads because when we end up building a society without an atom of decency and morality, we all will pay the weighty price.

Nbotee:
They are mad. Someone is doing his business and doing marketing how best he believes it is and the govt is reacting. Isn't it sad and pitiable that civil servants can actually not afford luxury cars?? Is the guy wrong in what he said about civil servants

you go push am till he enter prison.. still you go dey your hole dey say free him lol

Zionmdde:
The car is not for civil servants simple
True or false?
If they are triggered they should simply review the welfare of civil servants

you go push am till he enter prison.. still you go dey your hole dey say free him lol

Nbotee:
They are mad. Someone is doing his business and doing marketing how best he believes it is and the govt is reacting. Isn't it sad and pitiable that civil servants can actually not afford luxury cars?? Is the guy wrong in what he said about civil servants

Zionmdde:
The car is not for civil servants simple
True or false?
If they are triggered they should simply review the welfare of civil servants

The advert doesn't make any sense because it puts others down and is capable of promoting get-rich-quick syndrome which isn't good for the society including yourself

When some people are pressured to go into crime, it's people like you again that will complain, if you're lucky to not be victims of such crimes.

We even chastise pastors who glorify riches and prosperity as opposed to salvation

You can advertise your products without labelling others or making disrespectful remarks

It's based on the above that your own post too doesn't make any sense. No be all government statements una go dey find ways to criticise

Obapluto:
you go push am till he enter prison.. still you go dey your hole dey say free him lol

Don't mind them

Nbotee:
They are mad. Someone is doing his business and doing marketing how best he believes it is and the govt is reacting. Isn't it sad and pitiable that civil servants can actually not afford luxury cars?? Is the guy wrong in what he said about civil servants

Why should an average Joe be able to afford luxury cars, anywhere in the world?

Eh?

It may be sad if a civil servant isn't able to afford a car for his regular use. There's nothing sad in an average civil servant not being able to afford a luxury car.

Get it right...there's nothing sad in a regular guy not being able to afford a luxury item.

People should stop codedly promoting corruption and other forms of crime

Zionmdde:
The car is not for civil servants simple
True or false?
If they are triggered they should simply review the welfare of civil servants

Give only one example in the world where the welfare or compensation package of a regular or average civil servant can afford luxury cars

Why should civil servants watch his content? Why should they want to afford luxury cars?

In which country of the world does government workers afford luxury cars - by the prevailing localized understandings of it? Can civil servants in the UK afford Bentleys or Aston Martins? Or do civil servants in Italy drive Lamborghinis or Ferraris?

This country is very disheartening.
Full of very irritating, entitled dunderheads. To think that the vast majority of the so-called civil servants at all levels ( at least 90%) are merit-less misfits who got their jobs through nepotism and corruption, and are even redundant and incompetent at it, yet they feel so entitled and want to live luxury lives for merely being absolute wastes of space!

Besides, the so called warning by the NOA is not even worth the paper it was printed on. What sort of institutional idiocy is this, to purport to enforce subjective 'morals' on a private individual who has committed absolutely no crime? Shouldn't they have something more impactful or meaningful to focus on? Alas, of course the Nigerian body of civil servants prefer to be utterly useless. Always prioritizing low hanging fruits and window dressing activities rather than substantive issues.

hedonido:
Why should civil servants watch his content? Why should they want to afford luxury cars?

In which country of the world does government workers afford luxury cars - by the prevailing localized understandings of it? Can civil servants in the UK afford Bentleys or Aston Martins? Or do civil servants in Italy drive Lamborghinis or Ferraris?

This country is very disheartening.
Full of very irritating, entitled dunderheads. To think that the vast majority of the so-called civil servants at all levels ( at least 90%) are merit-less misfits who got their jobs through nepotism and corruption, and are even redundant and incompetent at it, yet they feel so entitled and want to live luxury lives for merely being absolute wastes of space!

Besides, the so called warning by the NOA is not even worth the paper it was printed on. What sort of institutional idiocy is this, to purport to enforce subjective 'morals' on a private individual who has committed absolutely no crime? Shouldn't they have something more impactful or meaningful to focus on? Alas, of course the Nigerian body of civil servants prefer to be utterly useless. Always prioritizing low hanging fruits and window dressing activities rather than substantive issues.

You just said nothing meaningful..... The ads is wrong, simple!

Wawelexy:
You just said nothing meaningful..... The ads is wrong, simple!

how's it wrong? Civil servants on 200k na him wan buy Benz of 250million how? Your FG are just tryna make the civil servants feel important, but tell them to increase their salaries and other welfare na problem. Hope you're aware that if you newly join the Nigerian army your salary is 54k,people that put their lives on line, convert it to dollars then come back to your comment.

I really don't see any thing wrong with the ad. Civil servants can't afford it with their salaries, that's the truth. There are also legit business people who can't afford it with their income.

Abi isn't it our politicians who always come out to complain that their heavy salaries and benefits are not enough when some civil servants are not yet paid up to the minimum wage?

Why don't this agency checkmate those statements?

Globad:
Give only one example in the world where the welfare or compensation package of a regular or average civil servant can afford luxury cars

All I know is the guy said the truth

Cut the welfare of politicians and add to those of civil servants who toil day and night to keep the country running

Senators and HoR members can afford the cars na......no be a whooping N150M SUV all of them dey drive, even the NOA Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu himself is riding one that's probably close to the price in value

Globad:
The advert doesn't make any sense because it puts others down and is capable of promoting get-rich-quick syndrome which isn't good for the society including yourself

When some people are pressured to go into crime, it's people like you again that will complain, if you're lucky to not be victims of such crimes.

We even chastise pastors who glorify riches and prosperity as opposed to salvation

You can advertise your products without labelling others or making disrespectful remarks

It's based on the above that your own post too doesn't make any sense. No be all government statements una go dey find ways to criticise

I love criticism in my personal life and I view things using the same lens
Let government learn to make improvement when they are criticized and not to issue warnings. Politicians own properties abroad, while civil servants live from hand to mouth

All I know is that the guy said the plain truth. And he cannot be legally prosecuted for saying the obvious .

Obapluto:
you go push am till he enter prison.. still you go dey your hole dey say free him lol

Sharrap
Which law did he contravene?
Can any average civil servant who is not corrup afford that car? Or when did stating the obvious become a crime?

Let the car dealer ask AI if our greedy politicians can afford the car.

The answer will be 'yes ofcourse, since 1999'.

Long overdue this warning should be extended to MCs/hypemen it will only end in desperation to make quick wealth, which in turn leads to an even higher level of corruption in our already corruption infested civil service.

Zionmdde:
I love criticism in my personal life and I view things using the same lens
Let government learn to make improvement when they are criticized and not to issue warnings. Politicians own properties abroad, while civil servants live from hand to mouth

All I know is that the guy said the plain truth. And he cannot be legally prosecuted for saying the obvious .

Is everything about prosecution?

Did he say what's good for the overall moral health of the society? What's capitalism without morality?

Yes, government has been irresponsible. But is that why more and more people should also be irresponsible?

Zionmdde:
Sharrap
Which law did he contravene?
Can any average civil servant who is not corrup afford that car? Or when did stating the obvious become a crime?

Are all obvious facts always appropriate to state?

Zionmdde:
All I know is the guy said the truth

Cut the welfare of politicians and add to those of civil servants who toil day and night to keep the country running

So, how much will a civil servant need to earn to be able to afford it?

fuckingAyaya:
how's it wrong? Civil servants on 200k na him wan buy Benz of 250million how? Your FG are just tryna make the civil servants feel important, but tell them to increase their salaries and other welfare na problem. Hope you're aware that if you newly join the Nigerian army your salary is 54k,people that put their lives on line, convert it to dollars then come back to your comment.

Wait, will any reasonable increase in salaries make them afford that car?

So, is it about salary increase?

Zionmdde:
Sharrap
Which law did he contravene?
Can any average civil servant who is not corrup afford that car? Or when did stating the obvious become a crime?

He doesn't need to tell anyone before we know that civil servants cannot afford such cars.

Even civil servants in the advance countries such car ( all things being equal, provided the naira is = $).

Not all business men can even pay for such cars nowadays. Except those greedy politicians, ritualists/kidnappers and fraudulent guys who have too much money to throw around.

Globad:
So, how much will a civil servant need to earn to be able to afford it?

The aim should not be to make civil servants afford it, but to realize the need to boost their welfare

A pastor building a magnificent church made a statement "I want to change the narrative, as poor as church rat".
In saner climes, civil service is not looked down upon like ut is done here, infact it is a hot cake

Globad:
Are all obvious facts always appropriate to state?

Yes. Unless where someone is restricted by a non disclosure agreement or the likes

Globad:
Is everything about prosecution?

Did he say what's good for the overall moral health of the society? What's capitalism without morality?

Yes, government has been irresponsible. But is that why more and more people should also be irresponsible?

So you allow your son wear a torn short to school and when they yab him you will ask "Is that good for his moral health?"

Zionmdde:
The aim should not be to make civil servants afford it, but to realize the need to boost their welfare

A pastor building a magnificent church made a statement "I want to change the narrative, as poor as church rat".
In saner climes, civil service is not looked down upon like ut is done here, infact it is a hot cake

I laugh when people say saner climes?

Is civil service lucrative anywhere?

The point here is that no one should make demeaning statements against any group.

Godfullsam:
He doesn't need to tell anyone before we know that civil servants cannot afford such cars.

Even civil servants in the advance countries such car ( all things being equal, provided the naira is = $).

Not all business men can even pay for such cars nowadays. Except those greedy politicians, ritualists/kidnappers and fraudulent guys who have too much money to throw around.

1st paragraph, he said the truth. Why should we be allergic to being reminded of the truth? I am used to saying "ahhh even in the next 50 years I cannot afford that ooo, it's not for people like me" and I don't feel any bad or pressure about it

Truth is truth