ALEXANDER BROWN HALL HOLDS SECOND EMERGENCY VIRTUAL MEETING: BUDGET DISPUTES, SPORTS FUNDING, AND EXECUTIVE YEAR PLAN UNDER REVIEW

Alexander Brown Hall convened its second emergency virtual meeting using the Google Meeet platform on August 10, 2024, at 5:10 p.m., under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Omotayo Goodluck. The meeting, called into session by Hon. Nosazeogie and seconded by Hon. Bello, aimed to address pressing concerns and make critical decisions for the hall’s operations. The session began with Clerk Hon. Onyiuke Chidinma reviewing the minutes from the previous meeting. Following this, Sport Minister Mr. Moshood delivered a report on the details of current sports jerseys.

The primary focus then shifted to the Finance Minister’s budget proposal. Hon. Oladele raised significant concerns about certain expenditures, including a N1,000 airtime allowance, which he deemed excessive. Hall Chair Ayotunde Oni defended the Finance Minister, attributing the high costs to logistical challenges and the absence of a functional receipt booklet. After thorough discussion, Finance Minister Moshood Babatunde agreed to a reduction in the airtime allowance to N500. The revised budget, totaling N67,200, was approved at 6:11 p.m.

The meeting then addressed the sports budget, which totaled N809,240. Senate Clerk expressed appreciation for the budget but questioned the high cost of sachet water and the necessity of purchasing 80 bags. Hon. Oladele also scrutinized the N100,000 allocated for the ABH league, questioning the use of hall funds for sponsorship purposes and the rationale behind purchasing three new footballs.

The Sport Minister responded by explaining that the previous budget did not align with current needs and underscored the importance of new equipment due to wear and tear from prior use. Hon. Adebayo noted that while a basketball was purchased in the previous term, it deteriorated rapidly, necessitating the acquisition of a new one. Hon. Ogunsanwo and other members voiced concerns over the basketball jersey and transport funding, recommending a more strategic approach to purchases.

Hon. Oladele highlighted that the sports budget constitutes 42.15% of the total hall budget and suggested that prioritizing expenses might be necessary. Hall Chair Ayotunde Oni defended the sports budget, arguing that it plays a crucial role in enhancing the hall’s visibility and impact. He acknowledged the need for budget adjustments but maintained that the promotion of the ABH league justified the expenditure.

Additional discussions included the need for improved friction-reducing materials for sports equipment, transport funds for both local and international competitions, and the selection of jersey colors to attract sponsors. The meeting also addressed concerns about the poor condition of the pitch, which affects the longevity of sports equipment, and the requirement for additional whistles.

The virtual meeting extended past 11p.m., with a consensus to further review and adjust the budget before adoption in the next session.