President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace their diversity as a foundation for national stability and accelerated development.
Speaking on Sunday in Rome, President Tinubu received members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and delivered a powerful message urging leaders at all levels to work diligently for the welfare of the people.
“If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope lies in stability and progress,” the Muslim president stated.
Marking a historic moment, Tinubu noted the significance of being Nigeria’s president during the inauguration of a new pope in Rome.
The Catholic bishops accompanied President Tinubu as part of the delegation attending Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass.
Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Owerri, expressed gratitude to the president for facilitating their visit to the Vatican, which included paying respects to the late Pope Francis and witnessing the installation of Pope Leo XIV.
He described this event as a new chapter in strengthening the relationship between the presidency and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
“You have always been supportive of us. Now that you are here at the Vatican, we look forward to inviting you to our conferences in Nigeria and continuing this valuable dialogue, just as you have engaged with the Holy Father,” Archbishop Ugorji said.
Also present at the meeting were Archbishops Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese.
