Nigeria Pays Tribute to Jesse Jackson: Tinubu Sends Delegation to Final Rites
In a move that underscores the enduring bond between Nigeria and the U.S., President Bola Tinubu has dispatched a five-person delegation to represent the country at the final burial rites of Rev. Jesse Jackson, the renowned civil rights leader, activist, and former presidential candidate. Jackson, who passed away at the age of 84 on February 17, 2026, will be honored at a series of events culminating in a private funeral.
A statement issued by the president’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the delegation would be led by George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The team includes key government figures such as Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Brian Browne, Special Presidential Envoy for Global and Pan-African Affairs, and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye, Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs.
The delegation’s mission is to convey President Tinubu’s heartfelt condolences to Jackson’s family and commemorate his indelible contributions to the fight for civil rights, both in America and across the globe.
Tinubu had previously hailed Jackson as “a great friend of Nigeria and Africa,” praising his unwavering support for the anti-apartheid movement and his critical role in securing Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.
Jackson’s final journey began on February 26, 2026, with a lying-in-state at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago, followed by additional services in South Carolina and Washington, D.C. A public “People’s Celebration” will be held on March 6 at the House of Hope in Chicago, and a private homegoing ceremony is scheduled for March 7.
Born in the segregated South and a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson’s legacy is marked by his staunch advocacy for social justice, racial equality, and global human rights. Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017, his activism remained strong, and he was a beacon of hope for oppressed communities worldwide.
As Nigeria mourns the loss of a great ally, President Tinubu’s delegation stands as a testament to the deep respect for Rev. Jackson’s lifelong work in advancing the cause of freedom and equality.