President Goodluck Jonathan has approved a delegation to be led by the Senate President, Senator David Mark to represent the Federal Government at the formal installation of Pope Francis on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.
Also on the private jet entourage are the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Prof. Viola Onwuliri and the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama.
The list includes the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara.
According to the release signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the delegation will not only attend the new Pope’s inauguration mass at the Vatican City, but will also convey a congratulatory letter from President Jonathan to Pope Francis who was elected by the College of Cardinals on Wednesday, March 13, to succeed Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
