Senate President Godswill Akpabio is at the forefront of a high-level Nigerian delegation that will be present at the funeral ceremony for the late Pope Francis.

The event will take place in Vatican City on Saturday, and the announcement was made in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The five-member delegation includes the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.

The statement, which was released on Friday, added, “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.

“On Monday, President Tinubu joined the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide to mourn the death of Pope Francis, who he described as ‘a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.’” (Daily Sun)