Why President approved only N70M for Independence Day celebrations

President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly approved the sum of N70million to be spent on Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations.

This was disclosed on Tuesday, September 22, 2015, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal.

“This year’s celebration is, indeed low key because the present administration appreciates the economic hardship that Nigerians and the nation is confronted with today and he almost slashed it downward from N70m,” Lawal told journalists in Abuja.

“To address the situation, government has adopted a general policy to be very prudent in the management of our financial resources, so this year’s celebration is, therefore, in consonance with the cost-saving policy direction of this administration,” he added.

The SGF said further that the celebrations will include Jumaat prayers, an international thanksgiving service, ceremonial change of guards and a children’s party

Nigeria will celebrate its 55 year of independence on October 1.