In a press release issued by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it was officially announced that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has designated a high-powered delegation to represent the nation at the burial ceremony of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
According to the release, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, will lead the five-man delegation to Vatican City for the funeral, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 26.
The delegation comprises prominent Nigerian dignitaries, both from the political and religious spheres. Accompanying Senator Akpabio will be the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, who serves as the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria; the respected Archbishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama, who oversees the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.
The delegation has been tasked with formally delivering a letter of condolence from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing the deepest sympathies of the Nigerian government and its people on the passing of the Pope.
The statement from the Presidency reads in part:
"SENATE PRESIDENT AKPABIO LEADS NIGERIA'S DELEGATION TO POPE FRANCIS' FUNERAL
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent a high-powered delegation to Vatican City to attend the burial of His Holiness, Pope Francis, on Saturday, April 26.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is at the head of the five-member delegation."
It further states:
"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."
President Tinubu, in his tribute, described the death of Pope Francis—who passed away at the age of 88 on the morning of Easter Monday—as deeply moving and spiritually symbolic.
He said,
"The death of Pope Francis, coming so soon after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, represents a sacred return to his Maker at a time when Christians around the world are reflecting on renewed hope"
Pope Francis, widely respected for his humility, advocacy for the poor, and efforts to build bridges across religious and cultural divides, leaves behind a profound legacy. His leadership in the global Christian community inspired millions and will be remembered for generations to come.
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