Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has said he would donate his Federal Government allowance for the ongoing National Conference, totalling N12m, to charity.
He said he would not reject the allowances like some of his colleagues but would give it to the needy. He said this was to prevent a possible diversion of the money.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria is the third out of the 492 delegates at the conference to decline spending the money. Others are Pastor Tunde Bakare, and a former President, Nigeria Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, also a SAN.
The confab, which began on March 17, 2014, will last for three months. Each delegate will be paid N4m per month.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Friday, Falana said, “I once rejected rams and rice sent to me for Christmas by a state government but I found out that they were not returned to the sender; they were diverted by those who brought them.
“Since then, I have learnt to collect such gifts and donate them to the poor, who really need them.”
Falana stated that while a number of groups could sponsor their members; students, the physically-challenged, pensioners, workers and “other economically disadvantaged people” at the confab needed government support.
He added, “Those are the delegates who should be sponsored by the Federal Government. It does not make any economic sense to pay N12m to ex-governors, captains of industries, retired generals and other members of the national bourgeoisie.
“Why pay allowances to those who live in their own houses in Abuja or those who are accommodated in posh hotels by their state governments?
“I am aware that Pastor Tunde Bakare and Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, have announced that they would not take the allowances. That is commendable. I know both of them. They are very comfortable. In my case, I shall collect the allowances and give them to the needy.”
Falana, however, said he would consult with his colleagues in the civil society organisations, which he is representing at the confab, on the specific charity to give the money to. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Bros let wait till then and see.
ReplyDeleteYou have enough money already.If you donate to charity,so what?
ReplyDeleteWell Falana should be commended however, why should the FGN be spending so much. This is so wasteful and here we are talking about fighting corruption. 4 million naira a month for what!...
ReplyDeleteWhat a waste of resources
ReplyDeleteDis is a very good idea, I pray others should emulate dis fantastic step. 9ja people are suffering seriously n I think it is high time for our so called leaders, ex - Ministers, governors, perm sec. Judges n well to do that are in d Congress to look back n cojitate. Well, Oga Falana.
ReplyDeleteIts a well thought out decision. Falana has set d pace for others to follow since FG has decided to waste public funds on what should have been a sacrifice to our fatherland. Many poor people on d street while d rich is getting richer by day. Kudos to Falana and others that will emulate him
ReplyDeleteNice 1, a very good and wise decission taken by oga falana if only he meant his words not just a mere saying just to gain more recognitions from the public. All d same, i hail u sha!
ReplyDeleteAbeg them dey pretend
ReplyDeleteDo you know that most of the traditional rulers and elder statesmen present in that confab were been offered between 26 to 40 million? immagine how our money is been wasted.
DeleteDo you know that most of the traditional rulers and elder statesmen present in that confab were offered between 26-40 million for these 3months?. you see how our money is been wasted.
ReplyDelete