The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on the federal government to stop funding religious pilgrimages and instead redirect public funds to address pressing national needs.
The religion body made the call yesterday during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at State House, Abuja.
The bishops argued that the current structure of pilgrimage boards has been marred by inefficiency and corruption, and that religious groups should take full responsibility for organizing pilgrimages.
Led by Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the CBCN, the delegation emphasised that the national and state pilgrims’ boards have failed to serve the broader interests of the nation.
“You’re undoubtedly aware of the instances of corruption that have led to the removal of some board executives to ensure greater efficiency and accountability,” Ugorji said.
He proposed that public funds currently allocated to pilgrimages be channeled toward critical areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
The bishops commended President Tinubu for his efforts to reposition the country through economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the introduction of tax initiatives.
However, they acknowledged the hardships these policies have caused for ordinary Nigerians and urged the government to implement measures to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable.
“The removal of fuel subsidies has undoubtedly affected the people, but we believe the tax reform initiative will, in the long run, generate more resources for advancing the common good,” Ugorji stated.
President Tinubu, in his response, reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a resilient and prosperous nation. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the reforms but stressed that they were necessary to secure Nigeria’s future.
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