•L-R: Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, during the funeral prayers for Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the APC National Chairman, in Jos, Plateau State capital, yesterday.
- Vows to unite country under shared vision of peace, prosperity
- Says administration prevailing in war against insecurity
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities, pledging to unite the country under a shared vision of peace and prosperity.
Speaking at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, President Tinubu told Christian leaders from Northern Nigeria that his government is dedicated to ensuring justice and inclusivity for all citizens regardless of faith.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President said: “I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress.”
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He urged clerics to have faith in his leadership, adding that religious harmony remains essential to national stability.
“As leaders, we have the responsibility to manage religious issues for the benefit of all,” he added.
President Tinubu also assured the gathering that his administration is determined to end insecurity and criminality.
“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,” he declared, noting that ongoing economic reforms are being executed to benefit every Nigerian.
The President was in Jos to attend the funeral prayers for Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who died at the age of 83.
Paying tribute to the late matriarch, Tinubu described her as “a devoted mother and humanitarian.”
“In our family, we have a strong Muslim background, and I married a Christian, a pastor for that matter, and I have never forced her to change her religion,” the President said, stressing his belief in mutual respect and coexistence.
He recalled his political journey through Jos during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) era and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return as President to honour the late Mrs. Yilwatda.
In his remarks, Prof. Yilwatda described his late mother as a resilient woman who lived on medication for 47 years yet worked tirelessly for her family and community.
He thanked the President for attending the funeral and for the trust reposed in him as APC chairman.
Reverend Dr Amos Mohzo, President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, lauded President Tinubu for appointing Northern Christians to key national positions, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume and Prof. Yilwatda.
He also praised the administration’s attention to insecurity in Plateau and Benue states and appealed for more support for displaced Christian communities.
Mohzo pledged the Church’s support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his efforts towards peace and national development.
•L-R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; Speaker House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; at the funeral service in honour of late Mama Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at the Church of Christ in Nation, Jos, Plateau State, yesterday.
Dignitaries at the event included Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Others were former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, former governors Tanko Al-Makura, Adamu Mu’azu, Fidelis Tapgun, Yahaya Bello and Rochas Okorocha, as well as lawmakers, ministers, and members of the APC National Working Committee.
Tinubu’s reception during visit shows he’s admired — Ex-Plateau Deputy Speaker
A former deputy speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan, yesterday expressed deep appreciation to the citizens, members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for trooping out en masse to welcome President Tinubu to Plateau State.
Hon. Hassan, who also chaired the Mobilisation Committee for the event, said the massive turnout and the enthusiasm that kept Jos agog demonstrated that Tinubu remains admired by the people.
He made the assertion while fielding questions from journalists amidst cheering crowds at the Secretariat Junction flyover.
“We are indeed thrilled by the peaceful and orderly conduct exhibited by the people of Plateau State, members, and APC supporters during the funeral visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are also grateful to Mr. President for deeming it important to accord our mother a befitting state burial in recognition of her contributions to nationhood,” Baba Hassan said.
He stressed that from the gestures of the President, they were sure that he was also happy with the warm reception.
“Right on arrival at the airport, coming through the major ways to the church, we noticed that our President was happy, and on behalf of the mobilisation committee that I chaired, we are happy,” he said.
He further assured that Plateau State will reciprocate President Tinubu’s gesture in the 2027 general elections.
