Hobnob News, Vatican City — Senate President Godswill Akpabio is leading a high-profile Nigerian delegation to Vatican City for the funeral rites of the late Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
The delegation, announced in an official statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, will represent Nigeria at the solemn event scheduled for Saturday.
Appointed by President Tinubu, the five-member team includes 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.
According to the statement, the delegation will also present a formal condolence letter on behalf of President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing the nation’s deep sorrow over the Pope’s demise.
Earlier this week, President Tinubu joined Catholics and Christians across the globe in mourning the loss of the revered pontiff. In his tribute, he hailed Pope Francis as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”
President Tinubu also reflected on the symbolism of Pope Francis’ passing just a day after Easter Sunday, describing it as a “sacred return to his Maker,” which he said offers renewed hope to Christians worldwide.
