President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday met with His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, where the two leaders exchanged warm greetings ahead of the official mass marking the beginning of the Pope’s pontificate.

The meeting took place shortly before the solemn installation mass for Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church, scheduled for May 18.

President Tinubu arrived in Rome earlier in the day in response to a special invitation extended by the Vatican. The new Pope, who once served in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s, expressed deep affection for Nigeria in his letter to President Tinubu, describing the country as “a nation particularly dear to me.”

According to the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the invitation underscored the significance of Tinubu’s presence at a time of global challenges, marked by escalating conflicts and humanitarian concerns. “The Holy See believes President Tinubu’s attendance is important in showing unity, peace, and global cooperation at this critical moment,” Onanuga said.

President Tinubu was accompanied by a delegation that included prominent Nigerian Catholic figures such as Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop Alfred Martins, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.

The encounter between the Nigerian leader and the Holy Father is seen as a significant gesture of diplomatic goodwill and interfaith solidarity at a time when religious tolerance and peacebuilding remain pressing global priorities.

By George Mgbeleke

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, has extended his warm congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, on his election as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Senator Kalu described the emergence of Pope Leo XIV as “a divine intervention at a time when the world desperately needs spiritual renewal, peace, and unity.”

He said, “The election of Pope Leo XIV is a powerful sign of hope to billions of Catholics and indeed all people of faith across the world. His Holiness brings with him a legacy of humility, compassion, and commitment to justice that will serve humanity well in these uncertain times.”

Kalu urged the new Pontiff to continue the Church’s vital role in promoting global peace, interfaith dialogue, and moral leadership. He also prayed for divine wisdom and strength as the Holy Father begins his sacred mission.

“As a Catholic and public servant, I recognize the critical role of spiritual leadership in healing divisions, inspiring nations, and advancing a more just and compassionate world,” the former Senate Chief Whip added. “I look forward to the reign of Pope Leo XIV as a season of renewal for the global Church and a call to conscience for world leaders.”

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi,Abuja

A faith-based Civil Society Organisation, CSO, the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR,, has called for clear-cut functions and terms of reference for the state’s Amirul Hajj teams and government delegations to ensure a streamlined Hajj operations.

The CSO, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed, said the call became necessary owing to past experiences in which some state Amirul Hajj teams, which were supposed to be ad-hoc committees formed to offer support to appointed officials and pilgrims, often assume powers and responsibilities beyond their scope, leading to chaos and negatively affects operations during the holy pilgrimage

,”While we acknowledge the responsibilities of governments in appointing Amirul Hajj Teams and Government delegations, we suggest that such appointments should come with an unambiguous role and responsibilities of the Amirul Hajj team especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the Hajj rites are performed,” Muhammad stated.

According to him, “Amirul Hajj teams and government delegations are symbols of the government’s eye and as such assigning roles that will not obstruct the operational plans of the State’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, SMPWBs and NAHCON (National Hajj Commission of Nigeria) becomes imperative. We acknowledged their fatherly roles and added value Amirul Haj team injects in Hajj operations but such are rare cases.”

“There has been an instance where Amirul Hajj or states appointed delegations hijacked the operational machinery from the States Pilgrims Board officials and tried to direct who did what and how it should be done.

“Hajj is a unique exercise, especially the operational aspect, which is guided by sets of rules and regulations as designed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. NAHCON, as the apex hajj regulatory body, auto assumes the implementation plans because it is the only body legally recognised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj.

“Therefore, allowing people who are not conversant with hajj policies to take control of the critical aspect of hajj operations is synonymous with activating factors for failure and confusion, the statement added.

“Unlike other countries, Nigerian version of Amirul Hajj and government delegations hardly participate in field operations like guiding pilgrims in Makkah or Mina, assisting the Taradudiyah committee in dispatching pilgrims either to Mashair or to airport, oversee the distribution of food to pilgrims in their various accommodation or even visiting pilgrims to inquire about their welfare. These are the critical part of the hajj that requires helping hands.

,”In the same vein, we urge States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to cooperate with the appointed Amirul Hajj and government delegations towards ensuring the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, while in Saudi Arabia,” he stressed.