Senate President Akpabio leads Nigerian delegation to Pope Francis’ funeral
This was confirmed in a statement released Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.
Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, will lead a high-level Nigerian delegation to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, in Vatican City on Saturday.
The delegation, sent on behalf of President Tinubu, according to Onanuga, comprises five members, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.
Onanuga stated, “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.”
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He recalled that President Tinubu earlier joined the global Christian community in mourning the pontiff’s death, calling him “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 at St. Peter’s Basilica.
In his tribute, President Tinubu noted that the timing of the Pope’s death, immediately following the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, “symbolises a sacred return to his Maker, offering renewed hope to Christians worldwide.”
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