The Labour Party’s Directorate of Mobilization and Integration (DMI) has appealed to Nigerian leaders to embody the spirit of unity and moral leadership that the late Pope Francis represented.
As world leaders gather in Rome to pay tribute to Pope Francis, who was widely celebrated for his leadership across religious, political, and cultural divides, Nigeria’s delegation, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is present at the solemn event in Vatican City.
Also part of the delegation are Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.
The funeral ceremonies, held from April 23 to 25, saw millions of mourners, including heads of state, diplomats, and dignitaries, gather in Rome to celebrate the life of Pope Francis — hailed not just as a shepherd of faith but also as a moral compass for humanity.
During his tribute, Marcel Ngogbehei, Director General of the Labour Party’s DMI, called on Nigerian leaders to learn from the example of the late pontiff, whose influence was felt across different races, religions, and political landscapes.
He said, “Last week was for the masses. Today belongs to the world stage, to the leaders of nations, the stewards of policy, and the architects of the global future.”
Ngogbehei praised Pope Francis as a rare kind of leader whose authority did not stem from political power but from the ability to touch lives worldwide through compassion, humility, and bravery.
“In him, we found not a pope of convenience, but a pope of conscience. The kind of leadership we yearn for in our dear country Nigeria,” he stated.
Highlighting the pope’s advocacy on global issues, Ngogbehei recalled, “Pope Francis courageously spoke at climate conferences, challenged economic systems that marginalized the poor, and addressed world parliaments with urgency rather than platitudes.”
He stressed that Pope Francis’ message of justice, humility, and humanity was not reserved for Catholics alone but offered guidance for the entire world.
