In the last five decades, the quality of life of Nigerians has declined rather than improved.

The average Nigerian  worker does not earn much to put food on the table-no thanks to the N5,500 (about US$55.00) per month, minimum wage.

Lately Africa’s most populous nation has consistently been on the adverse side of  various Human Development Reports.

The reports reflect that life expectancy has diminished, while real income of most families has drastically reduced; unemployment is outrageously high; Nigeria tops the list of countries with malnourished children.

For instance, the 2010 World Bank Report on Nigeria, revealed that 29.6 per cent of  Nigerians  live on $1.25 per day  while those who live on $2 are 83.9 percent.

In the face of these scaring statistics, the Federal Government recently proposed a budget of N 10 billion for ceremonies marking Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary. Charles Kumolu reports

GAILY dressed in attractive traditional attires, they merrily walk past through the  crowd, acknowledging cheers from people who had dared the scorching Northern sun to honour the event.

Amid deafening sounds of various traditional tunes, they flamboyantly adjusted their agbada and diverse native caps as they settled in their seats.  The president and the state Governors were also festively dressed  as they appeared in their finest.  Speeches rented the air , just as the crowd was fed with patriotic messages about the past five decades.

For once, there is no complaint about hunger in a land notoriously known for its hungry populace. But why would anyone be hungry at a N10 billion party? Perhaps, this may sound like a scene from a Nollywood video, but it is not.

Rather, it is what would play out in Eagle Square, at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja on October 1, 2010 if the presidency goes ahead with its proposed N10 billion independence anniversary celebration.

The Federal Government has concluded plans to celebrate Nigeria’s golden jubilee as a sovereign  nation with N10 billion. To actualise this, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan sent a budget proposal of  N10 billion  to the National Assembly.

With a per capita income of  $2,748 and a 2009  ranking on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) as the 20th hungriest country out of 118 hungry countries in the world, Nigeria is regarded as a poor country.

The World Bank 2010 World Development Report also  revealed that Nigeria’s per capita income stands at $2,748, falling behind that of Ghana and Cameroun with $10,748 and $10,758 respectively.

The combination of that and near collapsed of every aspect of the nation’s life has raised questions on whether the nation  really needs such an amount for an independence celebration?

“What are they celebrating?,” Chief  Ruben Fasoranti asked Vanguard Features,VF.
The elder statesman, who is the leader of Afenifere said, “our roads are very bad, unemployment is increasing, the national psyche  is down, so what are we celebrating.

It is a colossal waste of money, I think government should look  inward and tackle all the problems I just mentioned. We don’t need that kind of expenses because there is nothing on ground to justify it. The citizens need to be encouraged to have confidence in the government,”

Investigations corroborate Fasoranti’s position.  For many Nigerians,  the amount budgeted for the celebration is outrageous and unnecessary.

The feeling is that the nation does not have any good reason to roll-out drums at 50, just like the prevalence of the opinion that present and past rulers should rather mark the anniversary by soul-searching and self-assessment.

They argue that the N10 billion  will serve a worthy purpose if judiciously and conscientiously deployed to the provision of basic amenities and infrastructures which are starkly lacking in the country.

When VF encountered a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Usaman Bugaje, he was visibly angry.

An angered Bugaje said, “Does it make sense to you?,”   adding, that “It is very irresponsible for any government to set out such an amount for celebration. I think the members of the National Assembly should not pass such budget.  I am not sure that it has been passed by the National Assembly.”

Dr. Bugaje, who is also the National Secretary of the Action Congress,AC, said“ If they pass it, they are not being fair to members of their constituency, who have no light, good roads and whose hospital lack drugs.

What are you celebrating? I think both the executive and the legislature would be highly insensitive to the sufferings of Nigerian people if that proposal is approved. If we had a proper democracy, they would be held  accountable because there is nothing to justify such expenditure.

Pensioners have don’t even get their pensions. Someone one, who retired for over five years has not received his entitlements and you are going there to spend such money. It is highly irresponsible. The PDP government is trying to waste public fund under the guise of celebrating independence. It is sad.”

Although, the proposed budget had been forwarded to the National Assembly, as at the time of filing in this report, the law makers are yet to deliberate on it. But would the legislators do the bidding of the executive?

“The House Committee on Appropriations, of which I am a member, is looking into this issue. We will guide the House appropriately when we reach a reasonable decision. We are going to be thorough on the justification for this proposed expenditure,” Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, who is a member of House Committee on Appropriation was reported to have said.

Chief Ayo Opadokun is another person, who believes the presidency has no business celebrating what many called wasted years.

The  convener of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) believes that, “ a significant portion of that money would go into the pockets of the current political operators. We know what they are capable of doing.

There would be no significant achievement that such money would generate at the conclusion of the fiftieth anniversary.”

Nonetheless, a breakdown of the N10 billion proposal for the anniversary include N950 million  for the anniversary parade including march past, fleet review and aerial display, while another N350 million naira will be expended on national unity torch and tour.

First Lady Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan will spend N50 million on visits to special homes, orphanages, prisons and selected hospitals, while N20 million will be used in sponsoring a special session of the National Children’s Parliament and another N20 million naira will be used to organise a party for 1000 children.

The government will also spend N40 million to organise a Presidential banquet; N50 million for calisthenics performance; N310m for cultural, historical and military exhibitions while N40 million will go for what the government called ‘food week.’

Similarly, N320 million naira will be spent on secretariat equipment, accommodation, logistics and utilities while N30 million is budgeted for the designing and unveiling of the 50th anniversary logo.

Similarly, the Ministry of Information and Communications will get N1.2 billion for insertion of special reports on Nigeria in both local and international media, whereas another N320 million will be spent on jingles, adverts, billboards, documentary and publicity.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry will receive N105 million for undisclosed expenditure, later said to be anniversary parties by Nigerian missions abroad.

To mark the 50th independence anniversary of the nation, the government has also budgeted N700 million  to accommodate and transport special guests both from within and outside the country.

Another N450 million nair will be used to finance the production of branded souvenir, gift items for foreign heads of state and personalities and the placing of a large  coat of arms on Aso Rock.

Variety Gala night and fireworks will gulp N210 million , an international friendly football match and local competition will also gulp N200 million naira while event managers and producers will take home N120 million naira.

Designing and publication of compendium on Nigeria gets N400 million, one on the legislature gets N150 million and another one on the judiciary gets N50 million, while commissioning of golden jubilee plaza gets N10 million naira and designing, construction and mounting of Tower of Unity in the 36 states of the Federation gets N540 million naira.

Debates, essays, conferences, lectures and colloquium will gulp N150 million naira, even as musical concerts and carnival in the six geo-political zones will cost N60 million . Durbar, masquerades and cultural dances will consume N100 million  and designing and construction of 10 symbolic monuments of founding fathers of Nigeria will cost N80 million .

A memory tone at the Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos will consume N40 million, security and protocol will cost N500 million while medicals during the anniversary got  N25 million.