October 5, 2025 | GMTNewsng
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness, unity, and equal treatment for all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, during a visit to Jos, Plateau State, on Saturday. The President made the pledge while meeting with Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), shortly before attending the funeral of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda.
“I have a mission to unite this country and ensure its prosperity. We are making progress,” President Tinubu declared, assuring Northern Christian leaders that his administration would continue to promote religious harmony and inclusivity. He emphasized that his leadership style and personal life reflect tolerance and respect for diversity, adding, “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 also restated his administration’s determination to end insecurity and revamp the nation’s economy. “We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them completely. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,” Tinubu said. He urged the clergy to have faith in his government’s ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that both economic and security sectors are being overhauled for the benefit of all citizens.
Paying tribute to the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, Tinubu described her as “a devoted mother and a humanitarian,” recalling his long association with the city of Jos. “When we were coming here, Governor Caleb Muftwang showed me 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 return as President to bid farewell to the mother of this community,” he said.
Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, in his tribute, described his late mother as a tireless and compassionate woman who battled illness for decades while still supporting others. “My mother worked for twenty-four hours despite her health condition, supporting us and providing humanitarian assistance,” he said, expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for his leadership and continued trust in him.
Reverend Dr. Amos Mohzo, President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, commended President Tinubu for appointing Northern Christians to key national positions, including Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Professor Yilwatda as APC National Chairman. He also thanked the President for his efforts to restore peace in Plateau and Benue States and appealed for further support to resettle displaced Christian communities from Borno and Adamawa who fled to Cameroon due to insurgency.
Dignitaries at the funeral included Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman. Also in attendance were several serving and former governors, ministers, lawmakers, and members of the APC National Working Committee, who joined family and friends to honour the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda. GMTNewsng
