By OBSERVERS TIMES
In a significant address during his visit to Rome for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has called on national leaders and citizens to view the country’s rich diversity as a vital asset for unity and progress.
Speaking at a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria on Sunday, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s diversity for national prosperity rather than allowing it to become a source of division. “If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress,” he stated.
The President’s remarks came shortly after he participated in the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, joining a host of global leaders for this momentous occasion. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described witnessing the inauguration of a new Pope as a “historic” moment for Nigeria.
The delegation included prominent Nigerian bishops who attended both the burial of the late Pope Francis and the inauguration of his successor. Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for facilitating their presence at the Vatican. “You are always there for us. Now that you have come to the Vatican, whenever we have our conference in Nigeria, we will also invite you. We look forward to interfacing with you, just as you were able to do with the Holy Father,” he remarked.
Notably, President Tinubu also met with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate from the 2023 elections, and Kayode Fayemi, a former governor of Ekiti State, during the papal installation service. Following the mass in St. Peter’s Square, he had a brief exchange with Pope Leo XIV, sharing a handshake and a few words with the newly elected pontiff.
The installation ceremony was attended by other prominent world leaders, including U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also greeted the Pope after the mass. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, following a conclave of cardinals.
In his inaugural address, Pope Leo called for global peace, environmental stewardship, and the protection of marginalized communities, urging the world to cease the exploitation of nature and the disenfranchisement of the poor.
President Tinubu’s visit and his calls for unity resonate as Nigeria navigates its complex socio-political landscape, highlighting the potential of embracing diversity for national advancement.
President Tinubu shaking hands with Pope Leo XIV after the inaugural mass on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (X/@officialABAT)
