The world's most powerful woman, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is known for her down to earth nature. she grows her own vegetables, regularly shop at the Supermarket like everyone else, lives in the same Berlin apartment she's been living some 16 years ago.
she has no interest in luxurious living. Jettisoning big cars, handbags, jewellery and shoes, etc, for simple living. She cooks and tends house with her husband Chemistry prof. Joachim Sauer. He flies budget airlines instead a joining Merkel in government jets.
Angela Merkel has no time for hairdressers or makeup artists. She caries her briefcase and goes about quietly without sirens and fanfare.
She slipped quietly into operas without pomp and peagentry. She has been known to scold her staff for excessive laughter at her jokes, telling them “You've heard me tell that story before!"
Below is the reality of the Nigeria narrative. Stupendous amount of money budgeted for projects that contribute next to nothing to the average Nigerian. While the Politicians tell the citizens to tighten their belts, the former continue to behave as if the nation's resources are theirs for the picking. A classical case of baboon dey work, monkey dey chop.
#66.6m-------payment of Aso Rock rent
#45m-----Sewerage Charges
#11.04bn-----Aso Rock refurbishment
##116m------Vehicle Tyres
#436m------for phased replacement of vehicle &spare parts
#67.9m--------Motor Vehicle fuel
#10m------purchase of giant HD Copiers for library
#46m------Printing of non-security documens
#22m------Printing security documents
Refurbishing of Aso Villa with #11bn
#37bn----------- budgeted for repairs of residential and office building since 2016.
Ditto #25bn-------- on electricity and plumbing in the same 5 year period. Pray, how do you repair a near-pristine building?
#4.85bn----Maintenance of Mechanical & Electrical installations
#5.3bn------+Rehabilitation of Office and Residential buildings
#5.2m Maintenance of Generators
#45m-------for fuelling Generators
#274m-------payment of Electricity charges
#67.1m-------Internet charges
All these humongous expenses amidst government warning of Economic recession & dwindling resources.
The above were some items on the 2021 Budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Mohammdu Buhari on the 8th October, 2020.
The President has since left for his usual medical check up in London. He left for the United Kingdom, Tuesday March 30, 2021, for a routine medical check-up, Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, said in a statement. The President joins other Nigerians(mostly politicians) who spent $1bn (£690m) on foreign medical trips in 2013, most of which was unnecessary, according to a Nigerian Dr Osahon Enabulele.
In 2017, the president spent over 150 days in the UK, treating an undisclosed ailment.
Buhari also returned to the UK for four days in May 2018 to see his doctor.
Comparing the frugality of Merke and the profligacy of the average Nigerian politician is a study in great contrast. Where one is content with the barest personal convenience, the other is looking for ways of feathering their nests. Without an attitudinal change of outlook, alas, the augury does not bode well for the Nigeria state.
Note: $1= #480
