Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerians to embrace the life and legacy of Pope Francis, describing the late Pontiff as a symbol of humility and self-sacrifice whose message resonates strongly with the nation’s current socioeconomic realities.
Pope Francis, who died last week Monday, was laid to rest during the weekend in a series of events attended by world leaders including Akpabio, who represented the Nigerian government.
Speaking on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) from The Vatican, Akpabio urged Nigerians not to see poverty as a failure or stigma, but as a condition that can reflect deeper spiritual values.
“Poverty is not a crime and poverty could sometimes be a virtue of God,” he said.
Reflecting on the Pope’s modest lifestyle, Akpabio said the late Pontiff lived in a way that challenged the pursuit of wealth and status, choosing instead to serve humanity with compassion and simplicity.
“The Pope was worth only $100,” he stated, adding, “It shows that yes, we cannot worship God in splendor and that the best way to worship God is to worship God through self-sacrifice.”
The Senate President encouraged Nigerians to internalise these values, especially in a time of widespread economic hardship, and to support one another with love and empathy.
“Whatever you have, you should be able to share with your brothers and sisters,” he said.
