President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate cancellation of all elaborate programs planned by top government officials to mark his one-year anniversary in office, scheduled for May 29, due to their exorbitant costs.
A presidential source revealed that the bill for the activities was set to exceed 4 billion naira, a figure that greatly angered the President.
The source quoted President Tinubu as saying he could not justify spending such a large sum on his first anniversary given the current economic hardships faced by Nigerians. As a result, he directed that the anniversary be marked in a low-key manner without any fanfare.
The canceled activities, which were set to consume billions of naira, included the creation of an official logo for the First Anniversary and Democracy Day Anniversary, the launch of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure and Development Fund, and an anniversary symposium. Other planned events were the introduction of a youth program component to the Democracy Day celebration, the incorporation of the commissioning of FCTA flagship projects into the first anniversary activities, and the unveiling of President Tinubu’s portrait (65×33 ft) at Abuja City Gate.
Additionally, a 5-minute documentary titled “Omo Iya’loja” about President Tinubu, a photo exhibition of the President, and a musical civil-command performance were also part of the original lineup.
