In a move that highlights the Ebonyi State government’s commitment to religious tolerance, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has approved over 500 million Naira to sponsor 46 Muslims for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. This decision, made during the Ebonyi State Executive Council meeting on Friday, February 7, 2025, demonstrates the state government’s continued support for its Muslim population, despite recent challenges of hunger and insecurity in the region.
The Honourable Commissioner for Information, Jude Chikadibia Okpor, announced the approval to Igbere TV, noting that the sponsorship would cover the full cost of the pilgrimage for each beneficiary. According to Okpor, the total amount approved was N551,502,142.84 for the 46 pilgrims, which translates to N8,784,085.59 per person.
Governor Nwifuru’s administration has long emphasized religious harmony and peaceful coexistence among the diverse communities in the state. “Nigeria is a secular state, and Ebonyi under the pragmatic leadership of His Excellency, the Governor, has not only become a peaceful home for all, where religious tolerance is encouraged but also practiced,” Okpor stated.
This financial backing for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage aims to facilitate the participation of Ebonyi indigenes in one of the five pillars of Islam while also fostering unity across religious lines.
In a bid to increase participation, the Executive Council also resolved that each of the state’s local council chairmen would sponsor at least one person from their council areas for the 2025 Hajj. This initiative is expected to broaden the scope of local participation and promote a sense of inclusivity within the state’s Muslim community.
Despite the hardships facing the state, including recent killings and ongoing hunger, the governor’s decision underscores the government’s commitment to meeting the spiritual and communal needs of its citizens. The sponsorship approval marks another significant step in Governor Nwifuru’s efforts to maintain peace, support religious rights, and uplift the people of Ebonyi State.
