Ola Akinwunmi
In a bid to pay tribute to a global religious icon, Senate President Godswill Akpabio will be leading a high-level Nigerian delegation to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. The solemn event is set to take place in Vatican City on Saturday, as faith communities around the world prepare to bid farewell to the pontiff who became a symbol of humility and hope.Representing Nigeria at this historic occasion, the delegation—deployed by President Bola Tinubu—carries a message of sympathy and collective mourning from the nation.
A statement released on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, outlined the composition of the five-member team that will officially convey condolences on behalf of Nigeria.The delegation includes several prominent figures in Nigerian public life:Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu – Minister of State, Foreign Affairs. Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji – President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah – Archbishop of the Sokoto Diocese and Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama – Archbishop of the Abuja Diocese.
In a statement accompanying the deployment, the government noted that the Nigerian mission will formally deliver a letter expressing President Tinubu’s heartfelt condolences on the loss of Pope Francis to the Acting Head of the Vatican. This act is a demonstration of Nigeria’s deep respect for the late pontiff, whose leadership transcended borders and inspired millions.
Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, had left an indelible mark on global society. His final appearance on Earth came just a day after he led the Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican, a moment that underscored both his spiritual authority and his deep compassion for the less fortunate.
President Tinubu remarked that the Pope was “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions,” sentiments that resonated with believers and world leaders alike.The President also emphasized that the Pope’s passing—occurring shortly after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection—serves as a sacred return to his Maker. This act of faith, steeped in both tragedy and hope, is seen as a reaffirmation of the eternal nature of belief and the promise of renewed hope for Christians everywhere.
As the world prepares to come together in mourning and remembrance, Nigeria’s delegation symbolizes not only a diplomatic gesture but also a deep, shared mourning for a spiritual leader whose influence spanned continents. In an era marked by division, the late Pope Francis’s legacy as an advocate for compassion and social justice continues to inspire unity and reaffirm the timeless values of service and love.
