By: OLAOLU OLADIPO on September 13, 2013 – 4:53am
Laedership
The decision of the federal government to purchase about 53 gold-plated iPhones 5S for the commemoration of the country’s 53rd independence anniversary in October has come under scathing attacks by the civil society.
The national publicity secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio cultural group, Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, faulted the move, saying that it adds no value to the deplorable condition of the ordinary Nigerians on the streets. This is just as the chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Comrade Debo Adeniran, said the action was evidence of profligacy in the management of the country’s affairs where a large number of citizens live in abject poverty.
“If there is any truth to the allegation that the government is involved in this purchase, it would be the height of financial recklessness, because the expenditure will not add any value to the country. Besides, what is there for us to celebrate at 53?” Odumakin said.
Similarly, Adeniran berated the federal government over the purchase of the Iphones. He said, “It shows the profligacy of the federal government and its misplacement of priorities. Nigeria is a preponderance of poor people, who live below the standard poverty line and that should be a concern to the federal government, rather than giving the outside world the wrong impression that all is well.