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Obi blasts AGF over London retreat for finance commission­ers

School feeding programme to cover basic education – FG

- By Abbas Jimoh By Abbas Jimoh PHOTO: NAN

The presidenti­al candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has berated the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, over the London retreat she organised for state commission­ers for finance.

Obi, on Saturday in a lengthy post on his X handle, stated that Nigerians must vehemently denounce and condemn the decision of Nigeria’s Accountant­General’s Office to hold a workshop in London.

“This decision is not only unacceptab­le but also deeply troubling on multiple levels. Given the prevailing hardship in the country and the pitiable state of our national currency and the economy in general, any public function abroad amounts to insensitiv­ity on the part of the government and any agency or individual­s involved.

“First and foremost, it represents a blatant disregard for fiscal responsibi­lity and prudent expenditur­e of public funds.

“At a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic challenges, including inflation, currency devaluatio­n, and a widening budget deficit, it is utterly irresponsi­ble to squander taxpayers money on extravagan­t overseas workshops,” Obi stated.

He said the resources allocated for such purposes should be directed towards addressing pressing domestic needs like health care, education, infrastruc­ture and poverty alleviatio­n.

The former Anambra State governor also said that holding a workshop in London sent the wrong message to the Nigerian people and the internatio­nal community.

“It perpetuate­s the perception of government officials indulging in luxury and extravagan­ce at the expense of the common citizen.

“It fosters a culture of elitism and detachment from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians, who are struggle daily to make ends meet amidst rising living costs and limited access to essential services.

“Moreover, there are serious questions regarding the necessity and effectiven­ess of conducting a workshop abroad, particular­ly in a city as expensive as London,” Obi stated.

He noted that Nigeria was home to numerous highly qualified profession­als and experts who are more than capable of providing the required training and expertise.

The federal government has said that the suspended Home Grown School Feeding Programme would now cover basic education and not just the primary schools when the suspension order is lifted.

The Director of Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, said this at the official launch and fund raiser of the Create that Change Developmen­t Initiative (CCDI) on Saturday in Abuja.

“This programme (CCD launch) is a lofty idea and it demonstrat­es your unwavering demonstrat­ion in addressing the critical issues that we have in education that is advancing the well-being and developmen­t of children, adolescent­s and the society at large. Your innovation aligns with the current administra­tion of President Bola Tinubu.

“We all know that we have the homegrown programme that is being put on hold for now. It is coming back stronger and better. Before now, it only covered a segment of primary school. The President (Tinubu) has said it will be for basic education in its entirety.

“We are planning; we don’t just want to come out without planning to ensure as soon as we receive the directive, proper implementa­tion is done. If it is the whole of primary school or basic education, it will be done properly. We await further directives on this,” she said.

Speaking earlier, Mrs Sharon Ayeni, the Executive Director of CCDI, said that the initiative was a vision God gave her to make a meaningful difference in the world to address pressing challenges and to uplift those in need in Nigeria.

 ?? ?? Members of Olubadan in Council at the residence of Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, at Alalubosa GRA, Ibadan, on Friday.
Members of Olubadan in Council at the residence of Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, at Alalubosa GRA, Ibadan, on Friday.

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