President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to national unity, assuring Christian communities in northern Nigeria of his administration’s dedication to fairness and inclusivity across all faiths.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu gave the assurance during a meeting with Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State.
“I have a mission to unite this country and ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress”, the President stated.
While paying tribute to the mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the Late Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, who died at the age of 83, Tinubu recalled his own family’s religious diversity as proof of his respect for all faiths.
“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”, he stated.
He urged the clergy to continue to have faith in his administration, adding that leaders have a collective responsibility to manage religious issues for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Tinubu also reiterated his government’s determination to end insecurity and revive the nation’s economy. “We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and end the farmers-herders clashes”, he said, adding that ongoing economic reforms were designed to improve the welfare of all citizens.
The President described the deceased as a devoted mother and humanitarian, whose life reflected deep faith and service to her community.
Reflecting on his political journey, Tinubu recalled his past association with Plateau State, saying: “When we were coming here, Governor Caleb Mutfwang showed me one of the bungalows — the house of Ambassador Yahaya Kwande. During the SDP days, we met there to decide the fate of MKO Abiola. Today, I am grateful to be alive; and to God be the glory, to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to come here to bid farewell to a mother of the community”.
In his remarks, the chief mourner and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described his Late mother as a hardworking woman, who lived on medication for 47 years.
He thanked the President for his emergence as APC National Chairman and pledged to uphold the trust reposed in him.
The President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, Reverend Dr. Amos Mohzo, who spoke on behalf of the clergymen, expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his support of northern Christians, especially through key appointments such as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the APC National Chairman.
The funeral prayer was attended by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; APC governors; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribaɗu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri; Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; and Minister of Special Duties, Zephaniah Jisalo.
Also present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and his predecessor, Boss Mustapha; as well as former governors Tanko al-Makura (Nasarawa), Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi), Fidelis Tapgun (Plateau), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).
Members of the APC National Working Committee, senators, members of the House of Representatives, former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, and Directors from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, also attended the funeral.
