The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayele Ahmed, who made this known at a news conference in Abuja, however, said the Presidential Inauguration Committee headed by him, initially budgetted N1.3bn for the one week ceremony.
“Our initial budget was N1.3bn. It was reduced to N830m. But it may reach N1bn plus or minus,” he said.
Yayale did not say who made the reduction, but he advised journalists interested in knowing the exact amount that would be spent by the government on the event come to his office for the auditing after May 29.
The SGF was apparently reacting to a report by a United States-based Nigerian online news portal, SaharaReporters on Sunday that the government had set aside N5bn for the ceremony.
Sahara Reporters had also in the report claimed that a memo allegedly signed by the Minister of Aviation, Fidelia Njeze, showed that N63m was budgeted for the church service.
Yayale also said that 40 heads of governments, including President Yoweri Museveni, had been invited to the inauguration which began on Monday with Jonathan meeting the business community in Lagos.
He added that invitations would be extended to all the presidential candidates in the April 16 election and the chairmen of the 60 political parties in the country
The SGF said, “We are expecting him (Museveni). He has been invited. So far, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed between 10 and 15 heads of governments, but we have confirmation from about 10. The confirmation would continue to rise.”
Jonathan had on May 12 attended the inauguration, of Museveni, one of Africa’s longest rulers but his convoy was reportedly stoned by supporters of Uganda opposition leader, Kizza Basigye.
The President’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, denied the incident but Museveni tendered an apology to his Nigerian counterpart.
Yayale had during the interview with our correspondent, said that invitations would also be sent to the chairmen of the 60 registered political parties in the country to attend the President’s inauguration.
“Everybody is going to be invited; all the chairmen of the 60 political parties, we are going to take care of them,” he said.
The interactive session between Jonathan and the business community which kick started the inauguration was expected to be followed by a special session between the President and young people in Lagos.
On Friday, the President’s wife, Patience, will host a banquet for women and a special Children Day’s celebration.
It will be followed by religious services as well as a commemorative football match between Kano Pillars FC and Enyimba FC Aba, on Saturday.
“Nigerians are passionate about football and in order to meet the yearnings of football-loving Nigerians and make the inauguration memorable for lovers of football, a football match is to hold between Kano Pillars FC and Enyimba FC Aba, on Saturday, May 28,” Yayale said.
He added that the activities for the inauguration represented a symbolic celebration of the deepening of democracy in the country.
The SGF said, “As democracy is consolidated and becomes better internalised, it will generate the enabling environment for talents not only to blossom, but to be put into positive and productive uses thereby growing the economy and releasing the nation from the stranglehold of poverty.”
He disclosed that adequate arrangements had been put in place by the security sub-committee headed by the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi.
“We are not unaware of the security situation. We have a comprehensive arrangement, right from the roads that lead into Abuja. There is a security arrangement, the details are not disclosed to me, even as chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Committee,” Yayale said.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the Eagle Square venue of the inauguration.
Our correspondent learnt on Monday that police anti-bomb squad had moved to the site while the areas around the venue had been cordoned off.
By Olamilekan Lartey, Abuja Courtesy Of: Punch
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