Buhari reluctantly approves N70m for Independence celebrations

ABUJA-APPARENTLY disturbed by the dwindling revenues of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari approved only N70million for this year’s Independence celebrations.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF made this revelation.

According to the SGF, Buhari reluctantly approved the
N70m after complaining that he would have preferred the money is diverted for the payment of workers salaries.

He said the president had argued that the money was too much to be spent on frivolities such as celebrations when Nigerians are grappling to survive the present day economic stress .

He further explained that “this year’s celebration is,
indeed low key because the present administration
appreciates the economic hardship that Nigerians and the nation is confronted with today and he almost slashed it downward from N70m”.

“To address the situation, government has adopted a
general policy to be very prudent in the management of
our financial resources, so this year’s celebration is,
therefore, in consonance with the cost-saving policy
direction of this administration”.

Towards a successful celebration the SGF said “four
events have been approved by the president to manage
the entire celebration process”.

“The events are: Jumat prayers, international
thanksgiving service, ceremonial change of guards and a children’s party”.

“Apart from these four events the president will also
address the nation on Oct 1”.

“To ensure a successful commemoration, four sub-
committees have been constituted to handle the
preparations for each of the four events”.