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From Ola Muhammad, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Government has said that N21.5b remitted by State Pilgrims Welfare Agency for 2027 Hajj exercise to National Hajj Commission, Abuja, were not from State Government,but purely money paid by pilgrims planning to perform Hajj.
Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor,Mr. Ahmed Idris made the clarification in a statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
Idris,who was reacting to an article by one Evangelist Ibrahim Dikko,alleging that the state government allocated over N21.5b to sponsor Muslims pilgrims, described it as wasteful.
The CPS, described the allegation as false, misleading and inaccurate,which could cause tension among citizens.
He said: “Our attention has been drawn to an article by Evangelist Ibrahim Dikko alleging that the Kebbi State Government allocated over N21.5 billion to sponsor Muslim pilgrims to the Holy Land.
We wish to categorically state that this claim is false, misleading and inaccurate.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Kebbi State Government did not allocate N21.5 billion, or any amount, to sponsor the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage. The funds referred to in the article are payments made by individual intending pilgrims for their Hajj seats.
“The N21.5 billion remitted by the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency represents the collective payments of more than 3,000 intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj. The Agency serves as a channel through which pilgrims’ payments are collected, processed and remitted to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“No public funds or state budgetary allocation were used to finance these individual pilgrimage payments”.
Idris explained that, the 95 per cent registration figure therefore reflects the strong voluntary participation and commitment of Kebbi Muslims who chose to undertake the pilgrimage and paid for their respective Hajj seats.
” It should not be misconstrued as evidence of government sponsorship.It is important that commentators and media practitioners distinguish between government expenditure and funds collected from citizens for a specific service.
“The Pilgrims Welfare Agency facilitates registration, documentation, orientation and other logistics for intending pilgrims; it does not convert pilgrims’ privately paid fees into government revenue or expenditure.
“The same principle applies to Christian pilgrimage. Nigerian Christians who undertake pilgrimage to the Holy Land also make payments through the appropriate channels, including the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) and relevant church structures. The fact that government agencies facilitate such programmes does not mean that the entire amount paid by pilgrims constitutes government expenditure.
“It is, therefore, incorrect to present the N21.5 billion paid by intending Kebbi pilgrims as money allocated by the state government.
“Beyond this clarification, we also wish to reject any attempt to portray the administration of Governor Nasir Idris as insensitive to the Christian community in Kebbi State. The Governor has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fairness, inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.”
Idris noted that, under the present administration, members of the Christian community have been given opportunities to participate in government, with the appointment of more than 15 advisers from the Christian community.
He said that, the administration has also supported Christian pilgrimage obligations, settled outstanding obligations to the National Christian Pilgrims Commission, provided assistance during Christian festivities, supported the construction of churches, and made land available for a Christian cemetery, among other interventions.
“Indeed, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state has publicly acknowledged aspects of the administration’s interventions and endorsed Governor Nasir Idris and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their second-term bids.
“These facts demonstrate that the administration does not discriminate on the basis of religion.
“We therefore urge the writer and others who may wish to comment on matters of public interest to verify their information before publication. Misrepresenting pilgrims’ personal payments as government expenditure can unnecessarily create tension and undermine the peaceful religious coexistence for which Kebbi State is known.
“The government remains focused on improving the living standards of Kebbi citizens through investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, roads, infrastructure and security, while ensuring that the welfare of all citizens remains a priority irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation.
“The Pilgrims Welfare Agency is a service and facilitation agency. Its role is to assist citizens who voluntarily choose to undertake pilgrimage at their own expense.
“We call on media practitioners, public commentators and citizens alike to uphold the principles of responsible communication by verifying facts before publication, particularly on sensitive religious matters.”
He added that,truth builds unity; misinformation can destroy it, saying that Kebbi State remains peaceful and united, and the government will continue to protect the rights of all citizens while promoting religious tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence..
