Why does our government do this? Is it the norm in other countries too? If a person feels the need to go on a pilgrimage should they not be paying for it themselves?

It is a very bad practice started by the muslim run government to help their people and christians that have no obligation to go to Jerusalem have to join the band wagon for the sake of equality. If a religion demands a person visit a place, the best a country can do is to help in the logistics (Visa procurement, flight arrangements etc.)and not pay for them to go!

Yet we pretend to ourselves that we are in a secular state? _***grunts***

Don't mind our so-call leaders. It is a pure breach of the Constitution of the FRN. I wouldn't have bothered if the so-called pilgrimages affected the life of our leaders rulers positively. Most go there for picnic. Some for biz. Others, opportunity to abscond to other peoples country. We have turned religion upside-down in Nigeria. Up Naija!!!