Nigeria's Akume Leads Delegation to Jesse Jackson's Burial

George Akume, Nigeria's Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, is leading a five-person delegation to the burial of American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who passed away at the age of 84 on February 17, 2026. The delegation, as stated by a presidential spokesperson, includes Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Brian Brown, Special Presidential Envoy for Global Pan-African Affairs, and Sola Enikanolaiye, Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

The delegation will convey a message of condolence from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Jackson's family. President Tinubu described Reverend Jackson as a great friend to Nigeria and Africa.

The burial program for Jackson will commence on February 26, with various events scheduled in Chicago, South Carolina, and Washington D.C., culminating in a private homegoing ceremony on March 7.