President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to fostering unity and fairness among all religious groups in Nigeria, assuring Christian communities in the North of equal treatment under his administration.
In a statement Special Adviser to the President Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said the President gave the assurance on Saturday during a meeting with Christian leaders at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) headquarters in Jos, Plateau State, as part of his visit to attend the funeral of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, 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.
Paying tribute to the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, who passed on at 83, the President described her as “a devoted mother and humanitarian,” recalling her strong faith and legacy of service. He also reflected on his own interfaith family background, noting that his marriage to a Christian pastor symbolizes his belief in religious harmony.
“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 said.
Tinubu urged clerics to have faith in his government’s commitment to equity, peace, and national unity. He also pledged renewed efforts to combat insecurity, emphasizing that his administration is recording significant progress in tackling terrorism, banditry, and farmers-herders conflicts.
“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them completely,” the President vowed.
On the economy, he reaffirmed that his administration is implementing reforms aimed at ensuring shared prosperity for all Nigerians.
Speaking at the funeral service, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda described his late mother as a resilient woman who lived on medication for 47 years yet remained hardworking and selfless. “My mother worked tirelessly despite her condition, always helping others,” he said, expressing gratitude to the President for honoring the family.
COCIN President and Spiritual Leader, Reverend Dr. Amos Mohzo, thanked President Tinubu for supporting Northern Christians through inclusive appointments, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Professor Yilwatda himself.
He also commended the President’s response to insecurity in Plateau and Benue States, urging further assistance for displaced persons and victims of violence. “We assure you of our unflinching support for the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Mohzo added.
The funeral drew high-profile dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; SGF, Senator George Akume; and his predecessor, Boss Mustapha.
Also in attendance were former governors, federal ministers, members of the National Assembly, and top APC officials.
