Fed Govt to probe Nigeria @50 spending
R: VP Sambo, (L) SGF Yayale and FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed at the FEC meeting Wednesday. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN. THE Federal Government has said it will probe the money spent on the Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary celebration, even as President Goodluck Jonathan assured members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) that security agencies would fish out the perpetrators of the Abuja bomb blasts on the occasion.
The president also assured of government’s continued commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians and foreigners.
A minute silence was observed in honour of those who died in the explosions.
A committee is to be set up by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed, to probe the lapses in the celebrations.
These included the alleged embarrassment caused the President with the plaque meant for the Briton, Lillian Jean Williams, who wrote the nation’s first national anthem.
She was among the 50 prominent people honoured for their contributions to the country’s development.
FEC members yesterday expressed confidence in the President to continue to lead the country.
Information Minister Prof. Dora Akunyili yesterday addressed reporters after the FEC meeting with Minister of State for Information, Mr Labaran Maku, and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwogu.
Mrs Akunyili said: "Mr. President reassured Council members that security agents will do everything possible to fish out the perpetrators of the car bombing incidents that occurred during the Independence Day celebrations."
She said Dr Jonathan "assured Council of government’s continued commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians and foreigners residing in Nigeria. Mr. President requested for a minute silence in honour of our brothers and sisters who died during that unfortunate incident."
She said the SGF, who spoke on behalf of members of the Council "reiterated unflinching support of Council members to the President in his onerous task of steering the ship of the nation. He urged Mr. President never to be distracted by what happened."
Yayale, who also briefed the Council about Nigeria @50 anniversary celebrations, Mrs Akunyili said, noted that despite the incident, the anniversary was successful.
Expressing appreciation to President Jonathan for his support and encouragement, Mrs Akunyili quoted the SFG as saying that "the visiting Heads of Government were impressed with the parade. Luckily, they did not know what was going on while we were in the stadium."
On the probe of the celebration committee’s accounts, she said the SGF assured the Council that the spending would be examined for probity.
She said: "We intend to commend those that have done well and reprimand those that did not do their work. He (Yayale) said we need to clinically examine all that happened to enable us improve in future.
"All monies spent will be accounted for by all those the monies were given to, for transparency and proper accountability.
"There were contributions from other ministers on the successes recorded, observed lapses and way forward.
"A committee was put in place to examine the causes of the observed lapses with a view to correcting them in future events," she said.
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