Mixed reactions have continued to trail the directive of the Ebonyi State government to the 13 local government chairmen to sponsor at least one Muslim pilgrim for the 2025 Hajj.
The state government after its State Executive Council meeting said the council had approved over N500 million for the sponsorship of 46 prospective pilgrims for the 2025 hajj.
Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, the commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr Jude Okpor said that the governor also asked all the local government chairmen to sponsor at least one Muslim from each of the local governments to go for the Hajj.
Mr Okpor said, “Nigeria is a secular state, and Ebonyi has not only become a peaceful home for all where religious tolerance is encouraged but also seen practiced.
“In practical exhibition of this government’s disposition and intention, EXCO approved the release of the total sum of N551,502,142.84 only for the sponsorship of 46 prospective pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj activities.
“This is to the financial implication of N8,784,085.59 only per beneficiary in the said package.
“EXCO also resolved to ask all the council chairmen to consider the sponsorship of one person in each of the council areas in the 2025 Hajj to broaden indigenes’ participation.”
But in a swift reaction, some citizens of the state have expressed sadness over the directive of the state government and maintained that while primary school teachers are currently on strike over non-payment of salaries, the state government wants council chairmen to spend millions on pilgrimage.
A retired teacher and pensioner, Mr Clifford Agwu queried, “Where lies our priority? Going on pilgrimage or paying teachers their wages? LGA chairmen refused to pay teachers and they are currently on strike and the governor cannot enforce the payment. Our primary school children are at home, yet the government is not disturbed.
“Why would the state government encourage council chairmen to spend close to N10 million each for the sponsorship of pilgrims while the teachers are at home over non-payment of their three months’ salaries by the same council chairmen who claimed there is no money?
“Government should have no business in sponsoring anybody – Christian or Muslim – to pilgrimage. It is estimated that the council chairmen will be spending close to N13 0million for the activities. The money will go a long way in settling the salaries owed to the teachers.”
An Official of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ebonyi State Council who spoke on grounds of anonymity said, “This government is very insensitive to the plight of the workers. Our children are at home because the teachers are on strike, rather than discuss the way out during the EXCO meeting, what they are discussing is how to spend money on pilgrimage.
“Our politicians simply want to destroy our education system because their children are studying abroad. The future of the poor masses means nothing to them.
“Those that they will nominate for the pilgrimage will still be their brothers, sisters, cronies and friends. This is unacceptable.”
