Q - Is one billion Naira too little or too much to spend on President Jonathan's inauguration?
By gholly, this question really got me kolomental. For starters, word on the street was that it was 5 billion Naira but it has since dropped to 1 billion ($6.66 million). Before we look at the number, lets sit back for a second and analyze shall we?
On the one hand, i believe roughly $7 million (factoring diesel and 400k for egunje) is not much atall for an inauguration. This is factoring logistics, equipments (which trust naija will have to be bought bcos everything currently on ground is "bad" already anyways). Ghen, ghen. I'm sure that statement can get me killed. Plix, let me land o abeg!
DID YOU KNOW that in 2003, it cost the US over $40 million for George bush's inauguration (this is minus security costs though ... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22427-2005Jan19.html). Word on the street pegs Obama's inauguration at a whopping $160 million albeit slightly inflated and including security. Aiight, assume it was inflated by $60 million and lets say it costs $100 million for Obama. 100 - 7 = 93 (if you don't know this math, you should be hung in kirikiri). That's $93 million dollars more than GEJ (14 billion naira). Mind you, the yanks already have top notch equipments sitting there.
Lets continue our analysis for a second. I like to tell you a story. One day like this, pastor (Pope) said "oya, make i go jand (UK) chillax for a few days (4 to be precise)". How much did it cost the brits? A whopping 12 million pounds ($19 million dollars) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/05/popes-uk-visit-cost-12m]. I know i didn't watch it, but i don't think the pope had shepe or palm wine or some elaborate party. Neither did he dance to 9ice or MI music. Or did he? hmmmm... "Archbishop na enjoyment, pope na miliky.. suffering and smiling" - Fela
Anyways from those cases, i believe i have convinced you that the price tag is nothing (or in other words, its reasonable or cheap in comparison). I do believe regular maintenance of whatever location he intends to use and our dilapidated media outfits (NTA and the like) would gulp that much money annually anyways (this speculative at best but judging from the $7 million price on maintaining the Abuja stadium, its not far fetched).
I do believe the right question is "is this is a smart political move?". Yes, Nigerians are known to do things big but the average Nigerian will see that number and cringe. PDP is loosing ground and if you intend to guarantee some kind of continuity, isn't it in your best interest to show us that you have at least looked at cost saving measures. What in the world are your advisers doing?
The right question is "Is it necessary?". Its your inauguration and the people voted you in. IF we insist that it costs too much, are you [GEJ] willing to forfeit the glits and glamour for something alot less elaborate?
Well as the name of my post goes, looks like all of Nigeria have this question on our minds. My only hope is that a bitch not being one of those questions isn't because all the "bitches" are asking that same question? Harsh words I know. Permit me to rephrase. What do you intend to do about it?
Anyways, we all have our opinions about this issue. Kolomental has put his 2 cents. Off to take my meds.
Kolomental.
P.S. The folks at yaba left have graciously built me a nice ward. Exciting!
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