NIGERIA @ 50.

The government of President Goodluck Jonathan sent a budget proposal of 10 billion Naira to the Nigerian National Assembly. The money is not for the maintenance of roads or to equip hospitals in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, neither is any significant portion of it to help the underprivileged or the educational sector - it is a budget meant for the celebration of Nigeria ’s 50th Independence anniversary on the 1st of October 2010.

1. Anniversary parade including march past, fleet review and aerial display - N950 million.

2. National unity torch tour - N350 million.* Special visit to special homes, orphanages, prisons and hospitals - N50 million

3. Special session of the National Children Parliament - N20 million

4. Party for 1000 children - N20 million

5. Presidential banquet - N40 million

6. Calisthenics performance - N50 million

7. Cultural, historical and military exhibitions N310 million

8. Food week - N40 million

9. Secretariat equipment, accommodation, logistics and utilities - N320 million

10. Designing and unveiling of the 50th anniversary logo - N30 million

11. Special reports on Nigeria in both local and international media - N1.2 billion

12. Jingles, adverts, billboards, documentary and publicity - N320 million

13. Accommodation and Transportation of guests - N700 million

14. Production of branded souvenirs and gift items for foreign heads of state and erection of a coat of arms on Aso Rock - N450 million

15. Variety gala night and fireworks - N210 million

16. International friendly football match and local competition - N200 million

17. Event managers and producers - N120 million naira.

18. Designing and publication of a compendium on Nigeria - N400 million,

19. Compendium on the legislature - N150 million

20. Compendium on the judiciary - N50 million.

21. Commissioning of the golden jubilee plaza - N10 million naira;

22. Designing, construction and mounting of Tower of Unity in the 36 states of the Federation - N540 million.

23. Debates, essays, conferences, lectures, and a colloquium - N150 million;

24. Musical concerts and carnivals in the 6 geo-political zones - N60 million;

25. Durbar, masquerades and cultural dances - N100 million and

26. Designing and construction of 10 monuments of the founding fathers - N80 million.

27. A memory stone at the Tafawa Balewa Square , Lagos will consume - N40 million,

28. Security and protocol - N500 million

29. Medicals - N25 million

30. Miscellaneous - N105 Million.***

We all just sit back and watch things like this happen in our country? Isn't there a way we can stop this reckless spending? 10 billion for a 1day event? Party for 1000 children - 20 million? Miscellaneous - N105million? Oh dear, what a country!