… Says it is good for national unity
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome, shortly after his inauguration at the Vatican City, Rome.
The President, who joined other world leaders to attend the event, also met Peter Obi, the Labour Party LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, as well as former Ekiti state Governor Kayode Fayemi, at the Vatican.
Bayo Onanuga, presidential Spokesman, writing on his X handle, said, ” President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate, and former Ekiti governor Kayode Fayemi met at Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass on Sunday in Rome.
“Fayemi sighted President Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed.
Read also: Tinubu arrives Rome for inauguration of Pope Leo XIV
On getting to the President, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu. He said:
“Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”
President Tinubu responded: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation”.
The President’s response cracked up Obi, who agreed with the President.
Obi said: “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation”.
“Peter Obi and Fayemi are staunch Catholics and Papal knights.’
The President, while also writing on his X handle, detailed his reception in Rome since his arrival on Saturday.
“Upon my arrival in Rome ahead of the solemn Mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I was warmly received and graciously hosted to dinner by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State to the Vatican.
He revealed that his dialogue was marked by a spirit of fraternity and a shared vision for the future, focusing on common values such as peace, mutual respect, and global solidarity.
Read also: Cardinal Prevost was to visit Nigeria July, then he became Pope Leo XIV
” I expressed Nigeria’s deep appreciation for the Vatican’s longstanding goodwill and reaffirmed our commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation in an increasingly polarised world.
” As always, Nigeria remains a nation open to friendship, grounded in faith, and committed to building bridges of understanding across the world,” he said
Speaking with State House Journalists after the meetings in Rome, President Tinubu described his attendance as healthy for the unity of Nigeria
“It is consistent in the true sense of unity in diversity, and I am greatly honoured
” We have to continue to work on it, it’s a work in progress for the sake of our country and the continent as a whole “
