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Pope Installation: Tinubu Urges Nigerian Leaders To Harness Country’s Diversity
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian leaders and citizens to harness the country’s diversity as a source of strength, rather than division, in order to foster national stability and rapid development.
Speaking in Rome on Sunday during a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Tinubu said, “If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress.”
The meeting took place shortly after the President attended the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where he joined other world leaders for the historic occasion.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described it as a “historic” moment to witness the inauguration of a new Pope while serving as Nigeria’s leader.
The Catholic bishops were part of the Nigerian delegation to Rome, attending both the burial of the late Pope Francis and the inauguration of his successor, Pope Leo XIV.
Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and Archbishop of Owerri, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for facilitating their visit to 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,” Archbishop Ugorji was quoted as saying.
The meeting was also attended by prominent Nigerian Catholic leaders, including Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese.
Earlier on Sunday, President Tinubu met with the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and a former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, during Pope Leo’s installation service.
He also met briefly with the 69-year-old Pope following the installation mass in St. Peter’s Square. In a video on the president’s X account, he shook hands and exchanged a few words with the new pontiff before moving along.
Other world leaders present included United States Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, both of whom also greeted the Pope after the mass.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected on 8 May as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church following a secret conclave of cardinals.
The American-born pontiff had begun his papacy with a strong call for global peace, environmental stewardship, and the protection of marginalised communities.
At the installation, Pope Leo urged the world to stop exploiting nature and marginalising the poor.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima at a formal reception in Uyo on Saturday, welcomed the governor and his supporters to the ruling party.
He pledged that Governor Eno would not be abandoned and would have no regrets about joining the APC.
According to Shettima, “The strength of any political party comes not from division, but from unity of purpose. We are here today because we understand that enduring power lies in standing together, not in isolation or internal strife.”
He emphasized that the APC is a party of the people, saying, “We believe in building bridges, not walls; in mending fences, not erecting new ones. Above all, we know that the strength of a political party lies in its people — the people are the party.”
Speaking directly to Governor Eno, Shettima added: “President Tinubu is a bridge-builder and a democrat. Your decision to join the APC is one you will never regret. You will not be humiliated or forsaken. You are home.”
Speaking through Ghana’s Finance Minister at the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja on Saturday, President Mahama warned that economic integration and trade cannot thrive in an atmosphere of political instability.
“Trade cannot flourish where democracy is in retreat. Investment does not land where governance is broken.
“The recent wave of instability and military takeovers in our region is not just a security concern—it is an economic emergency. We must defend democracy as a prerequisite for prosperity.
“Let West African leaders recommit to constitutional order—not as an abstract ideal, but as a practical requirement for growth. We cannot unlock trade while our region is locked in conflict,” Mahama was quoted as saying.
In January 2025, ECOWAS formally acknowledged the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—now members of the Alliance of Sahel States—following tensions rooted in the 2023 Niger coup.
To this end, Mahama called for the creation of an ECOWAS Charter on Democratic Stability and Economic Development, linking good governance with access to regional investment support.
The president urged leaders to recommit to constitutional order as a practical foundation for development, rather than merely a political ideal.
Akpabio said this on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital, during the official reception of Umo Eno to the APC.
“Governor Sheriff of Delta State thank you for joining the progressive family and moving the South South in a progressive direction.
“Governor Umo Eno, after you, Rivers State will just tumble, after Rivers State, Bayelsa will join.
“We won election with Governor Otu in Edo State and we produced an amiable Monday Okpebholo, congratulations once again for your victory.”
In April, Eno had hinted at leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for APC.
The governor had blamed the internal crisis within the PDP for his decision to leave the party for APC.
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