Senators yesterday lambasted the presidency’s plan to spend about ₦10 billion on the celebration of Nigeria’s 50th anniversary as an unnecessary extravagance.

The lawmakers who were debating the supplementary budget bill submitted by President Goodluck Jonathan, which included the sum of ₦10 billion for the celebration, described the plan as bogus and out of place. “This is just appropriating money for some people to siphon,” Andrew Babalola (PDP Oyo State) said. “It should be removed completely and budgeted for employment generation”.

Mr Babalola added that it was misplaced priority for the nation to spend that much on celebrations when most able-bodied Nigerians are without jobs.

His argument was taken up by other senators who said there was nothing to celebrate.

Osita Izunaso (PDP Imo State) said that since Nigeria gained independence, the country has not achieved any meaningful progress that will justify such ostentatious celebrations.

“What are we celebrating?” Mr Izunaso said. “Nigeria at 50, to me, have not achieved anything worthy of celebration.” Arguing in the same line, Joseph Akaagerger (PDP Benue state) said: “I do not think there is something to celebrate after 50 years, I support the bill (supplementary budget) but nothing should be reserved for the celebration.” Others argued that even though the nation hitting the golden age in unity calls for celebration, the celebration is not worth the N10 billion proposed for it.

“My idea is that the money voted for the Nigeria at 50 celebrations should be slashed to the barest minimum and we think of appropriating it for job creation and reduction in unemployment,” Dahiru Kuta said.

Since the presidency made the decision to spend N10 billion on the celebration of the nation’s 5oth independence anniversary, it has come under heavy criticism from the general public, setting up a cue for the senators.

Progress on budget

The supplementary budget, which is worth ₦639 billion, however passed through for second reading despite the oppositions to some of its contents.

Teslim Folarin, the senate leader who led debate on the bill, said the additions being sought after by the president will also be applied to settle the negotiated civil service wage increase and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) arreas of monetisation.

“This bill becomes necessary due to the desire of the federal government to provide funds to accommodate certain critical items such as statutory transfers, debt servicing, the service-wide vote and other critical expenditure heads that were either inadvertently omitted or under-provisioned for in the 2010 appropriation act,” the senate leader said.

The senate also passed the request of the president to slash the 2010 budget by 40 per cent for second reading.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5588714-146/senators_slam_presidency_over_n10b_anniversary.csp

This is money that can be used for better things like Education, Light,Road etc why just waste the money? mr J do review this.

Honestly, I see nothing wrong in spending that amount for the 50th anniversary of the nation. Some people are suggesting other necesities like electricity, water, roads, but it seems they have forgotten the billions invested sometimes last year on electricity without any positive effect, the budget allocated for education and other ministry. The problem is not money, but those ingenuous poachers, the executive robbers in the government, the CEOs of the 21st century, and even the contractors.

Acidosis:

Honestly, I see nothing wrong in spending that amount for the 50th anniversary of the nation. Some people are suggesting other necesities like electricity, water, roads, but it seems they have forgotten the billions invested sometimes last year on electricity without any positive effect, the budget allocated for education and other ministry. The problem is not money, but those ingenuous poachers, the executive robbers in the government, the CEOs of the 21st century, and even the contractors.

Please did you sit back to read and reason what you jst put up here? The reason why Nigeria is not moving forward. This attitude of when is Mohammed is wrong, but when is Okechukwu or Segun is right, is killing Nigeria.

They will surely oppose it because they didn't give them out of d money.

oh how i miss yaradua!! inspite of everything spoken against the erstwhile president he will never subscibe to such outrageous spendiing. Jonathan wake up!! it is your goodworks that will determine the votes you will ganner.

Browser69:

They will surely oppose it because they didn't give them out of d money.

You're right!
.
Those senators saying, "we have done nothing, there is nothing to celebrate,, " should be impeached with immediate effect, that statement shows they are not capable to occupy a position in the senate. For christ sake, these men earn millions of naira without yielding any result. Isn't it better to celebrate our weakness and disgrace than giving it out to some dirty old men?

Contrary to reports that the Federal Government presented a budget of ten billion naira (N10billion)for approval by the National Assembly for its Nigeria @ 50 celebration, figures emerging from the National Assembly shows that the actual budget figure is in excess of N16 billion (precisely N16,372,217,977).

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-472160.0.html

isn't Nigeria a vry funny circus?

Acidosis:

You're right!
.
Those senators saying, "we have done nothing, there is nothing to celebrate,, " should be impeached with immediate effect, that statement shows they are not capable to occupy a position in the senate. For christ sake, these men earn millions of naira without yielding any result. Isn't it better to celebrate our weakness and disgrace than giving it out to some dirty old men?  

1. Bankole and some of his fellow legislooters are not old men
2. Actually, we can find a way of putting the money to good use
 Just give the money to centres caring for HIV positive people and ask them render account
Our HIV positive programme in Nigeria is currently being funded by the Americans, actually since the time of President Bush
Nigeria has done virtually nothing to contribute to the continuation of the programme inspite of the Americans notification of their intention to cut down spending

N10b can cater for the total current costs of testing, free drugs for HIV patients as well as the breast milk substitute for HIV-positive nursing mothers  
If the money is put into the account which the Americans currently use, we can ensure that the dirty men, old and young, do not touch it

Are they talking because of the amount involved or because their is no allocation to NASS for the independence anniversary.

hmmm well dis is 2much who even brot d idea sef

princekevo:

Please did you sit back to read and reason what you jst put up here? The reason why Nigeria is not moving forward. This attitude of when is Mohammed is wrong, but when is Okechukwu or Segun is right, is killing Nigeria.

is like u are among those that wil  eat frm that 10billion and 4 ur info God go purnish al of u whey dey spoil nigeria

Contrary to reports that the Federal Government presented a budget of ten billion naira (N10billion)for approval by the National Assembly for its Nigeria @ 50 celebration, figures emerging from the National Assembly shows that the actual budget figure is in excess of N16 billion (precisely N16,372,217,977).

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-472160.0.html




what !! N16B  or my gawd!     what is happening to goodluck. i guess the politicians are building up their war chest al ready so sad

We have reasons to appreciate and celebrate Nigeria at 50 in respective of the challenges we have, and all we have been through, yet we are still standing with the help of God.

Inter tribal fuss, Jos crisis, killings, kidnappings, Air crash, June 12, ASUU Strikes, Labour treats, Political hooliganism,Religious crisis, over population, unemployments, Student vs Government and the likes.

Nevertheless, Its not logically sound to spend that huge amount for such. Considering the amount Senators earn, its not a big deal to them.

dolu2007:

We have reasons to appreciate and celebrate Nigeria at 50 in respective of the challenges we have, and all we have been through, yet we are still standing with the help of God.

Inter tribal fuss, Jos crisis, killings, kidnappings, Air crash, June 12, ASUU Strikes, Labour treats, Political hooliganism,Religious crisis, over population, unemployments, Student vs Government and the likes.

Nevertheless, Its not logically sound to spend that huge amount for such. Considering the amount Senators earn, its not a big deal to them.

These challenges na real wa o! And you think we're "still standing"? 

On another note,everyone really should see the breakdown of the 10b and you can't help but curse all of them,
Don't know how to post a link but just google this, Itemised 10 billion naira Budget Proposal for 50 years celebration,

chuxy12:

oh how i miss yaradua!! inspite of everything spoken against the erstwhile president he will never subscibe to such outrageous spendiing. Jonathan wake up!! it is your goodworks that will determine the votes you will ganner.

Do some of you worship the dead? Yar Adua is dead, get over it. He wasn't much use as a President anyway and right now, he is dead and will never come back.

I seriously think the 10 billion should be reconsidered. There is nothing to celebrate anyway.

Are we preparing for a national birthday bash ? How many cows will be killed ? Will every Nigerian have access to a plate of food and Irish cream, chop and belle full ? Will every Nigerian be at a club for free on October first night ? Will there be free transport to and from everywhere in Nigeria on that day ? Will there be free exotic condoms for everybody ? Hmmmmm!!!!!  Will there be more questions for me to ask ?

yommen:

Are we preparing for a national birthday bash ? How many cows will be killed ? Will every Nigerian have access to a plate of food and Irish cream, chop and belle full ? Will every Nigerian be at a club for free on October first night ? Will there be free transport to and from everywhere in Nigeria on that day ? Will there be free exotic condoms for everybody ? Hmmmmm!!!!!  Will there be more questions for me to ask ?

go question which jonathan and his cabinet ve to answer

IRAPADA:

is like u are among those that wil  eat frm that 10billion and 4 your info God go purnish al of u whey dey spoil nigeria

Next time b4 you quote someone it is wise to understand their comment first and their stand.

Have they even told us where the $10b will go? How it'll be used?

That amount can sort out power issues for one state.

FL Gators:

Have they even told us where the $10b will go? How it'll be used?

you think all the canopy and king sunny ade performances comes for free. we got to fuel the diesel generator and pay for aso ebi too

FL Gators:

Have they even told us where the $10b will go? How it'll be used?

Exactly!!!

What's dis, politicians are sayin dat Nigerian's has nothing 2 celebrate.! If we've nothing 2 celebrate then dat's a failure on their path. They haven't given us something 2 celebrate 4 d past 50 yrs. I think they all should b banned as don 2 d super eagles for incompetency.

Corruption shouldn't be our birthright. Nigerians are suffering and they are to celebrate that with 10 Billion naira. Very unfortunate.

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FL Gators:

Have they even told us where the $10b will go? How it'll be used?

Ofcourse! You need to get up to date on what is going on in Naija ooo . . . you don dey loose your ijinle status small small ooo!

g

The truth is that this money will still end up in the same overflowing pockets whether we celebrate or not. They shddo their wish and let us be. The NASS are disagreeing so that Mr Presidoo will give them better cut.

those clowns should shut the Bleep up

and put their own house in order before preying in other peeps matters