Outcry over Minister’s N260m wristwatch during meeting with foreign investor

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has faced criticisms from Nigerians after being photographed wearing a N260 million Richard Mille wristwatch during a meeting with the CEO of Glencore, a Swiss-based company.

Alake’s choice of accessory while attempting to woo the Swiss company into investing in Nigeria sparked outrage among citizens on social media who viewed it as inappropriate for a government official.

Photos of the minister spotting the expensive wristwatch quickly circulated on the social media, eliciting condemnations from various quarters.

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Responding to the images, Chinedu, an online commentator, expressed disbelief at how a government official could afford such luxury without scrutiny, contrasting it with the standards in developed countries where officials would face scrutiny over the source of funds for such purchases.

Fortuna echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the disparity between the lifestyles of Nigerian officials and their counterparts in developed nations.

The sentiment was also echoed by Desire Chukwuemeka, who criticized the Nigerian political class for displaying an inferiority complex through extravagant displays of wealth.

Others questioned the logic of flaunting such opulence while seeking investment opportunities.

Oluwasegun pointed out the contradiction of soliciting investment while showcasing personal wealth, while Marvellous Israel criticized Alake for potentially undermining the credibility of Nigeria’s investment pitch with his extravagant display.

The incident reignited debates about the mindset and behaviour of Nigerian political elites, with many expressing frustration over what they perceived as a disconnect between the country’s leadership and the realities faced by ordinary citizens.

Source
https://www.newsscrollngr.com/index.php/ns-news/item/35544-outcry-over-minister-s-n260m-wristwatch-during-meeting-with-foreign-investor#gsc.tab=0