AKPABIO TO LEAD NIGERIAN DELEGATION AT POPE FRANCIS’ FUNERAL

By Jessica Jummai Ayuba

President Godswill Akpabio will head a five-member Nigerian delegation to Vatican City this Saturday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88. The delegation—sent by President Bola Tinubu—is tasked with formally conveying Nigeria’s sympathy to the Holy See.

According to a statement issued Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the group includes: ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Ayuba Kaigama of the Abuja Diocese.

The delegation will deliver President Tinubu’s letter of condolence to the Acting Head of the Vatican. In his Monday address, Tinubu joined millions of Catholics and other Christians worldwide in mourning, describing Pope Francis as “a humble servant of God, a tireless advocate for the poor, and a guiding light for millions.

Pope Francis presided over Easter Sunday services on April 20—his final public appearance—before passing away the following day. President Tinubu noted that the Pontiff’s death, coming immediately after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, “poignantly underscores the promise of eternal life and brings renewed hope to believers everywhere.