FG warns dealer over viral video mocking civil servants’ ability to afford luxury car

The Federal Government has cautioned Alamin Sarkinmota, a well-known car salesman in Abuja, against making fun of the nation's federal personnel for their incapacity to purchase the majority of the vehicles he offers for sale in his promotional movies.

The National Orientation Agency revealed this on Monday in a letter that was signed by Lanre Issa-Onilu, the agency's director general.

Onilu claims that the agency is not happy with a recent advertisement that Sarkin-Mola made in a video to advertise a Mercedes Benz 2023 C300 with AI features. In the video, he asked, "Can government servants afford you?" and the AI responded, "No! perhaps in 2062.

"We write in reference to a video skit that you made ostensibly to promote a Mercedes Benz 2023 C300 with Al functionalities," the statement read. "You asked if civil servants could afford you, and the artificial intelligence function said, 'No! may be in 2062.'"

It is inappropriate to use such demeaning language about Nigerian civil servants at a time when the country is experiencing a great deal of social pressure, where the get-rich-at-all-cost mentality is prevalent, and material possessions are valued more highly than hard work and moral principles.

It said, "We write in reference to a video skit that you made ostensibly to promote a Mercedes Benz 2023 C300 with Al functionalities. You showcased the vehicle and asked, 'Can civil servants afford you?' The artificial intelligence function replied, 'No! may be in 2062.'"

Speaking in such a condescending manner about Nigerian civil servants is inappropriate at a time when the country's citizens are under a lot of social pressure, where material possessions are valued more highly than hard work and moral principles, and where the get-rich-at-all-cost mentality is prevalent.

In Nigeria, as in the majority of the world's nations, being a civil servant is a very significant position. The people who put in the most effort to create an atmosphere that allows companies like yours to grow and succeed are civil workers from all sectors. Therefore, disparaging Nigerian civil officials who devote many years of their lives to operating the government apparatus so that companies like yours might prosper for the advancement of the country is inappropriate.

In order to avoid offending what it called the "sensibilities of any segment of Nigerians," the agency advised the car dealer to be careful with the language he used while promoting his cars for sale.

Based on the comments we are receiving from a large number of viewers of your video skit on the 2023 C300 Mercedes-Benz, we have taken the time to reply. Please take note, please.

As we collaborate to create a resilient nation where all tiers of citizens can prosper and be respected—a Nigeria where the dignity of labor is valued above financial possessions—please accept my best wishes, the statement said.

Sarkinmota is well-known for making fun of government employees for being unable to afford many of the high-end cars he sells in the Federal Capital Territory.