*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urges the clerics and Nigerians at large to use their diversity for stability, rapid development, and progress of the country

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians to use their diversity for the country’s stability and rapid development.

Tinubu stated this Sunday, May 19, 2025, in Rome, when he received in audience the members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

He also issued a stirring call to leaders at all levels to work for the betterment of the Nigerians.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement, noted President Tinubu, a Muslim, said: “If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress.”

The Nigerian leader described it as historic, being the President of Nigeria when a new Pope was inaugurated in Rome.

The Presidential aide noted the Catholic Bishops were part of President Tinubu’s delegation to attend Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass Sunday.

These included Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

The Bishops thanked President Tinubu for facilitating their visits to the Vatican to bury the late Pope Francis and witness the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, Onanuga said.

President Tinubu said the development signalled a new era of a more robust relationship between the President and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

He further stated: “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.

“We look forward to interfacing with you just as you were able to do with the Holy Father.”

Archbishops Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, attended the meeting with the President.