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AKPABIO LEADS FIVE-MAN NIGERIAN DELEGATION TO POPE FRANCIS’S BURIAL
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named a five-member Nigerian delegation to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled to hold in Vatican City on Saturday.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio will lead the delegation, a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said.
Other members of the delegation include Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Archbishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of the Abuja Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.
“The delegation will formally deliver a letter conveying President Tinubu’s sympathy and condolences on Pope Francis’ passing to the Acting Head of the Vatican,” the statement noted.
The President, in his earlier condolence message released on Monday, described Pope Francis as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just a day after leading Easter Sunday celebrations.
