Government Sponsorship of Pilgrimage in Nigeria: The Implication to a Challenging Economy

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VIII, August 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Government Sponsorship of Pilgrimage in Nigeria: The Implication to a Challenging Economy

Charles Chidi Eleonu Phd, Madume, Winston
Dept. of Public Administration, Port Harcourt Polytechnic, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract – In Nigeria, over 7.9 Billion naira concession was given by the federal government of Nigeria for sponsorship of pilgrims. This has been condemned by many Nigerians for it is viewed as a reckless spending and as wasteful in the face of the Nigerian challenging economy today. The argument is that there are roads, schools, hospitals and lacking infrastructure to be built. People of Nigeria need good, portable drinking water and good rail, water, and air transport systems. Spending on pilgrimage may have more adverse effects on the economy and on the welfare of the generality of the Nigerian people. Government wealth is for the entire Nigerian populace and such wealth must be used in a way that the entire populace will benefit. At this critical time Nigeria’s problems when solved will bring back the battered, disfigured image. Pilgrimage is about spirituality. Most people find their spiritual life intricately linked to their association with a church, temple, mosque and synagogue or in performing a pilgrimage. The paper observes that outright cancellation of government sponsorship of pilgrims may produce negative results on the citizen’s spirituality. Not sponsoring pilgrims may not be a way to improve government’s financial stand. It could be a turning away from God. The paper therefore recommends selected sponsorship of devoted clerics and religious faithful.

Keywords: Pilgrimage, Sponsorship, Challenging, Economy, Concession

I. INTRODUCTION

For decades there has been an increase in the number of people who go to pilgrimage to Jerusalem or Mecca especially among the Christian and Muslim religion faithful. This activity increases the level of exposure and integration among people from an angle of spirituality. The 2016 Nigeria outlook shows slow economic recovery though some reforms and measures begin to take effect to boost the economy. Some specific reforms pursued by the new administration are to lay a foundation for renewed growth. The key reforms include the rationalisation of the public sector in order to cut the cost of governance, enforcement of the single treasury account to block financial leakages, renewed efforts at enforcement of tax compliance, preparation for zero-budgeting starting in 2016 and increasing the ratio of capital and recurrent expenditure to 30:70. The military has stepped up the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency but the humanitarian situation has continued to deteriorate.

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