President Bola Tinubu has appointed a five-member team to represent Nigeria at the final funeral services for the late American civil rights icon and former presidential candidate, Rev. Jesse Jackson.
The renowned activist passed away in Chicago on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84.
According to a statement from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the delegation is headed by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
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The other distinguished members of the group include:
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Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
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Hannatu Musawa: Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.
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Brian Browne: Special Presidential Envoy for Global and Pan-African Affairs.
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Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye: Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
The primary objective of the delegation is to personally deliver President Tinubu’s message of condolence to the Jackson family during the rites.
In a prior tribute, President Tinubu honored Reverend Jackson’s legacy, characterizing him as a steadfast ally to both Nigeria and the broader African continent.
Regarding Jackson’s impact on global justice, the President wrote:“He was a moral voice and a formidable resistance to apartheid in South Africa. He played a leading role in the campaign for the release from prison of Nelson Mandela and other African National Congress leaders. He won critical support for sanctions against the then apartheid government”
The series of memorial events for the civil rights leader commenced on February 26 with a lying-in-state at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago.
Following this, services and a lying-in-state were held at the South Carolina Statehouse and in Washington, D.C., spanning March 1 through March 5.
The funeral proceedings will culminate in a public “People’s Celebration” on March 6 and a private service on March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
