The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), which is a socio-political group of the Yoruba people, has berated the Muhammadu Buhari-led government over its policy of subsidising pilgrimage.
The group claimed the move “sends wrong signals about the touted autonomy of the Central Bank of Nigeria” and it is “tantamount to prioritizing religion over the nation’s economic needs.”
This was contained in a statement issued by Kunle Famoriyo, the publicity secretary of ARG.
According to ARG: “This “religious subsidy” policy is needless, leaves room for sharp practices, and it is in bad taste considering that the forex policy is deemed to have been somewhat been liberalised.
“For example, importers of pharmaceutical products and textbooks do not benefit from a government special rebate, considering that these are more essential needs.
“Education has also been adversely affected by the forex crisis with more Nigerians affected than those going on pilgrimages.
“Already, thousands of Nigerians studying abroad are being recalled home because their sponsors could no longer afford the fees.
“Also, We know that overseas education is a private choice but so also is religious pilgrimage. If any of the two deserves government intervention, it is education, unequivocally.
“This ‘religious subsidy’ policy sends a wrong message about the touted independence of the Central Bank of Nigeria, which does not portend well for the economy at a time Nigeria is desperate about shoring up its Foreign Reserve.
“This policy is more damaging to a larger Nigerian population that depends on stable forex policy and strengthening of the Naira. This is clearly a wrong priority and it must stop.”