Advocate Slams Plateau Government Over N7.84bn Jerusalem Pilgrimage Sponsorship

A civil society advocate, Jacob Choji Pwakim, has criticised the Plateau State Government over its approval of N7.84 billion to sponsor 1,100 Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem in 2026.

The state government had announced that the sponsorship forms part of its social responsibility initiative. The first batch of pilgrims is scheduled to depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday night.

At a farewell ceremony in Jos, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo, described the pilgrimage as more than a ceremonial trip. He said the journey holds deep spiritual value and offers participants the opportunity to reconnect with the roots of the Christian faith. He urged the pilgrims to see themselves as ambassadors of Plateau State and to approach the experience with humility, reverence and a genuine desire for spiritual renewal as they visit biblical sites associated with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

However, Pwakim, founder of Yiavha Nigeria, a youth-focused advocacy organisation, faulted the decision. In a statement issued on Sunday, he argued that committing billions of naira in public funds to pilgrimage sponsorship reflects misplaced priorities.

He calculated that the allocation amounts to roughly N6.8 million per pilgrim and described the expenditure as excessive, particularly at a time when many communities in the state continue to struggle with limited access to basic infrastructure, rising insecurity and high youth unemployment.

According to him, public resources should be channelled towards addressing pressing socio economic challenges rather than funding religious travel.

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