By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi 

In a heartfelt address during a meeting with Nigerian Catholic bishops in Rome, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called on Nigerians to embrace the country’s rich diversity as a catalyst for unity, stability, and national advancement.

Speaking on Sunday after attending the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, President Tinubu reflected on the symbolic importance of his presence in the Vatican at such a historic moment, describing it as an honour to represent Nigeria during the transition of papal leadership.

The President, who was accompanied by members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, urged leaders at all levels of governance to commit themselves fully to the wellbeing of the people.

Stressing that religious and ethnic diversity should never be a source of conflict, Tinubu, a Muslim, declared, “If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress.”

The Nigerian delegation to the Vatican included prominent clerics such as Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese.

The bishops joined the President in paying their respects at the burial of the late Pope Francis and in witnessing the installation of Pope Leo XIV, which Archbishop Ugorji described as a moment marking a new chapter in relations between the Catholic Church in Nigeria and the nation’s leadership.

Expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for facilitating their journey to the Vatican, Archbishop Ugorji acknowledged the significance of the President’s support.

“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, and we look forward to interfacing with you just as you were able to do with the Holy Father,” he remarked.