‘There’s an ashawo joint close to Mount Sinai’: Melaye kicks against FG’s sponsorship of pilgrimages

Former senator Dino Melaye has criticised the Federal Government’s sponsorship of pilgrimages to Mecca and Israel, claiming there is an “ashawo” joint close to Mount Sinai and urging that funds go to development.

Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has kicked against the Federal Government’s sponsorship of Nigerians to religious pilgrimages in Mecca and Israel, Daily Post reports.

Speaking in an interview shared on social media, Melaye questioned the use of public funds for religious activities, saying the money should go into development. He also made a remark about the environment around Mount Sinai.

“Even Jerusalem that you are going to, just close to Mount Sinai where you go to pray, there’s an ‘ashawo’ joint by the edge there,” he stated.

He said churches, mosques and wealthy individuals should sponsor pilgrims.

“Then why will government be spending billions of naira that is supposed to be meant for development? Our roads, you know their state in this country. Our hospitals, you know their state in this country. Why can’t we prioritise our spending?

“What is the business of government with religion? That we are spending hundreds of billions annually to send people to Mecca and Jerusalem? And you go and pray and come back and continue in your sin,” he added.

Melaye urged the Federal Government to reprioritise spending on infrastructure, education, technology and industrialisation.