The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has called on government to wean itself of funding religious pilgrimages.
The advice was given by CBCN on Friday at the Villa in Abuja when its delegation led by Dr Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji met with President Bola Tinubu against the backdrop of United States’ Congress’ claim that Christians were being targeted for killings in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the religious society, Dr Ugorji urged the government to prioritize pressing national needs and desist from funding religious pilgrimages.
“The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organising pilgrimages. In their current structure, the national and state pilgrims’ boards serve neither their adherents nor the broader interest 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 stated.
