Ebonyi State Govt Approves N551.5 Million for 2025 Hajj

The Ebonyi State Executive Council has approved the sum of N551,502,142.84 to sponsor 46 prospective pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj activities.

According to a statement by the Hon. Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor, the sponsorship package is aimed at supporting the spiritual endeavors of the pilgrims.

Each of the 46 beneficiaries will receive N8,784,085.59 as part of the sponsorship package.

However, the decision has caused a widespread o
Disagreement among citizens of Ebonyi State, who have taken to social media to express their disappointment and frustration.

In a media chat with Asiwaju Media, some concerned citizens of Ebonyi State expressed their anger and disappointment over the government’s decision.

“This is a slap in the face of the suffering masses of Ebonyi State,” said one angry citizen. “How can the government justify spending over N550 million on pilgrimages when our roads are bad, our hospitals are inadequate, and our people are hungry?”

Others criticized the government for prioritizing the interests of a select few over the needs of the majority.

“This is a clear case of misplaced priority,” said another citizen.

“The government should focus on providing basic amenities for its citizens, rather than sponsoring pilgrimages for a select few.”

FULL TEXT

PRESS BRIEFING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE EBONYI STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2025

The Ebonyi State Executive Council meeting of Friday, 7th February, 2025, was held with the Chairman of the Council and Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB, FCAI, GGCEHF presiding.

Resolutions

1. HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

To expand the scope of the present administration’s effort towards human capital development, and as a government backup effort to the first batch of 100 trained Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru Empowerment Programme (FONEP) graduates, EXCO approved the release of the sum of Three Hundred Million Naira (N300,000,000) for the empowerment/settlement of the 2nd batch of additional 100 graduates who passed out from the Master Skill and Development Service, Agbani, Enugu.

With the approval, each of the graduates is to receive the sum of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000) to enable them to start up their farms.

2. RELIGIOUS MATTERS

i. Moslem Pilgrims Welfare
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 seen practised.

In practical exhibition of this government’s disposition and intention, EXCO approved the release of the total sum of Five Hundred and Fifty-One Million, Five Hundred and Two Thousand Naira, Eighty-four kobo (N551,502,142.84) only for the sponsorship of forty-six (46) prospective pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj activities. This is to the financial implication of (N8,784,085.59) only per beneficiary in the said package.

ii. EXCO also resolved to ask all the council chairmen to consider the sponsorship of one (1) person in each of the council areas in the 2025 Hajj to broaden indigenes’ participation.

3. EDUCATION (Primary & Secondary)

Considering the overwhelming benefits of science laboratories to basic education, EXCO approved the construction of the proposed Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru Laboratory Complex at Community Secondary School, Nwofe, Agbaja Izzi. This project, which will be one of the signature projects of the present administration in the intention of the State Government, is to build a reliable framework that will encourage the needed consciousness, especially on science-related subjects.

4. CYBERCRIME

In receipt of the ruling of the Federal High Court over the adjudication of the validity of the Cybercrime Prohibition Law 012, 2021 which was declared unconstitutional, null and void. EXCO accepted the ruling with a position of “no appeal” on same, and further opted to revert to the provisions of the mother law, Cybercrime Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2015 already domesticated in the state. By interpretation, the state will henceforth prosecute Cybercrime offenders under the provisions of the federal/mother laws.

5. WORKS & INFRASTRUCTURE

To broaden the infrastructural base of the state, particularly within the adjoining communities of the state, EXCO approved the construction of a 3-span reinforced concrete bridge at Umaku, Afikpo Local Government Area, with other ancillary works to go with it. This bridge when completed is expected to enhance the intercommunity access.

Other projects approved by the council include:

1. Construction of the 5km Okofia-Nsokkara-Amagu Road in Ezza South Local Government Area.
2. Construction of the Oferekpe Agbaja Internal Road Lot 1 in Izzi LGA.
3. Construction of the 4,123.11m Internal Roads within the Izzo Housing Project in Ishielu LGA.
4. Construction of the 5,122km Internal Roads within Amaeze Housing Project.
5. Construction of the 16.7km Randa-Mbamiri Road in Izzi Local Government Area.

To God be the glory.

Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor,
Hon. Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ebonyi State.
08/02/2025