By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has dispatched a high-powered five – member delegation to Vatican City to attend the burial of Pope Francis, scheduled for tomorrow Saturday, April 26.
The delegation is to be led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
This was contained in a press statement from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy on Friday
The five-member delegation, according to press statement 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, Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese and; Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja Diocese
The delegation will deliver a condolence letter to the Acting Head of the Vatican, conveying President Tinubu’s sympathy on the passing of Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025, at 88.
In his condolence message, President Tinubu described Pope Francis as: “A humble servant of God; a tireless champion of the poor and; a guiding light for millions.”
He noted that the Pope’s death, coming after Easter celebrations, was a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.
The delegation’s visit underscores Nigeria’s respect for the late Pope’s legacy and his contributions to global peace and interfaith dialogue, the statement said.
