Reports in the media last week confirmed that the Federal Government has released the sum of N90 billion to subsidize the cost of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
The Vice-President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima confirmed this at the inauguration of the 2024 National Hajj operation, held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.
While we applaud the fervor by faith adherents, whether, Christians, Muslims or Traditional Worshippers to fulfill all aspects of their religious persuasions, including pilgrimages, we do not share in the notion that it is any business of government.
But much more than our disagreement is the baffling fact, that the timing of this continuous play on religion is inexcusable.
It is really baffling that whereas leaders, elected by us, can without remorse to good conscience, remove subsidies on everything that gives the citizenry hope, life and sustenance, do find it comely, to continue the subsidy on religion.
It is even more worrisome when the government continues to parrot the refrain that Nigeria is broke, asking us to sacrifice on the political advertising pay-of of renewed hope.
News slants in various media, attributed to sources, did offer a view that perhaps the government knew or suspected that the N90 billion subsidy at this time would not be received heartily by a large section of Nigerians.
“The N90 billion support which was provided by the government was announced in the presence of reporters during the inauguration of the board and management of the Hajj Commission which was held at the office of the Vice Presidency on February 28, 2024. BUT THEY (REPORTERS) WERE ASKED NOT TO REPORT IT. THAT WAS WHY NO NEWSPAPER CARRIED THE REPORT. OR DID YOU SEE IT IN ANY REPORTS?”
The complicity of the media should receive further discussion elsewhere, if these syndicated reports are true.
But if these reports are true, then it beggars no explanation, as to why the government would demand of reporters not to carry the news.
Beyond the fact that our politicians have from time immemorial, used religion as a political tool, they know that it is both insensitive to cry paucity of funds and that the continuous romance with religion, negates Section 10 of our constitution, which holds that our country is secular and has no State religion.
The Tinubu-led Muslim/Muslim ticket had appeared an attempt to remove the thorny religious dictate of faith balance in our body politic. It was seen as a bold, albeit risky attempt at the time.
But many had believed that its success would gradually remove the issue of religious balance from our psyche and make us see religion for what it is; a personal experience.
This government must begin to tow a path of legacy and truth to the Nigerian Constitution. It must rise up and discard primordial robes that has kept this nation perpetually at a standstill in all ramifications.
If this government believes it expedient to continue funding religious pilgrimages then it should do either of two things; expunge or reword Section 10 of the constitution or repeal the laws that has enabled institutions that superintend pilgrimages of all and any religion. This would spare us the charade of a constitutional democracy.
This is what the National Assembly must do.
■ THE PLENARY EDITORIAL
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