By Dipo Olowookere
Barring any last minute change, President Muhammadu Buhari will next Wednesday present the much-awaited 2017 appropriation bill to the National Assembly.
The presentation, according to reports, was earlier slated to take place on Thursday, December 1, 2016, but things changed and it was postponed to Wednesday, December 7, 2016.
From indications then, the December 7 date was looking sacrosanct until the Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, announced a new date for this yesterday.
While reading a letter received from President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate President informed his colleagues that the President will now address a joint session of the National Assembly next Wednesday.
Also, in the letter, the President informed the National Assembly that he intends to unveil his economic recovery plan to them.
Last month, the Federal Government disclosed that it would let Nigerians know how it was planning to get the country out of recession.
On October 6, 2016, the National Assembly summoned Mr Buhari to brief them on how he plans to rescue Nigeria from the economic woes.
But in the letter addressing to the lawmakers, Mr President said he would do this same day he presents the 2017 appropriation bill.
“I crave the kind indulgence of the National Assembly to grant me the slot of 1000 hours on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 to formally address a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2017 budget proposal and our plans to get the country out of recession.
“Please, extend Mr Senate President, the assurances of my highest regards to the distinguished Senators, as I look forward to addressing the joint session,” Mr Buhari wrote in the letter.
Nigerians would be hoping the government’s economic recovery plan would work wonders.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka