FG Warns Auto Dealer, Sarkin Mota For Mocking Civil Servants’ Inability To Buy Luxury Car

The Federal Government has issued a warning to an Abuja car dealer, known as Sarkin Mota, over a viral video in which he mocked Nigerian civil servants for not being able to afford the luxury cars he sells.

In the video, Sarkin Mota jokingly asked the AI system in a 2023 Mercedes Benz C300 whether civil servants could buy the car.

The AI responded, “No! Maybe in 2062.” He also encouraged viewers to “hustle hard” if they wanted to afford such vehicles.

Reacting to the video, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, criticized the dealer for mocking the struggles of hardworking civil servants.

Issa-Onilu said the agency decided to speak up because the video had sparked concern among viewers and was seen as disrespectful.

He emphasized that civil servants play a vital role in the country’s development and help create the environment that allows businesses like Sarkin Mota’s to succeed.

Issa-Onilu added that mocking them at a time when many Nigerians are facing economic hardship sends the wrong message, especially in a society already under pressure to prioritize wealth over hard work and integrity.

He urged the dealer to be more thoughtful with his words in future adverts and avoid making comments that could offend or belittle any group of Nigerians.

The statement reads, “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 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.

Watch the video below:

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