President Bola Tinubu declared his mission is to unite Nigerians and assured Christian communities in Northern Nigeria of his administration’s commitment to religious fairness.
He gave the assurance Saturday while meeting with Christian leaders at the COCIN Church headquarters in Jos, Plateau State.
“I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” the President said in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, sent to Persecondnews.
While paying tribute to the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the APC National Chairman, President Tinubu highlighted his own family as a model of 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 stated.
He urged the clergymen present to have faith in his administration, emphasizing that leaders have a responsibility to manage religious issues for the benefit of all citizens.
Furthermore, the President affirmed his administration’s commitment to aggressively tackle insecurity, particularly in the fight against terrorism and banditry across the country.
“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes.”
In addition to his assurances on security, the President stated that his administration is focused on revamping the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.
He also used the opportunity of the funeral prayers to describe the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda as a devoted mother.
Tinubu said: “The history behind this church is rooted in faith with deep acceptance in the Lord and tradition. I have been to Jos before. When we were coming here, Governor Caleb Muftwang 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 that I am alive and to God be the glory to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to come here to bid farewell to the mother of the community, and a humanitarian”.
The chief mourner and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, said his mother was a hard-working woman who lived on medication for 47 years.
“I am here to thank God for her life. My mother worked for twenty-four hours despite her health condition, supporting us and providing humanitarian assistance.
He thanked President Tinubu for his emergence as APC chairman and promised to keep the trust.
Rev. (Dr.) Amos Mohzo, President and Spiritual leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), conveyed the clergymen’s thanks to President Tinubu for supporting Northern Christians, citing appointments like Senator George Akume (SGF) and Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda (APC National Chairman).
Mohzo also commended the President’s response to insecurity in Plateau and Benue.
He specifically requested the President’s help for conflict victims in Benue and intervention to ensure the safe return of Christians displaced from Borno and Adamawa to Cameroon.
The COCIN President affirmed their complete support for the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The funeral prayer for Nana Lydia Yilwatda was attended by a host of high-profile dignitaries, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman, along with other APC Governors.
Key members of the President’s team present were the NSA Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and the SGF, George Akume, alongside his predecessor, Boss Mustapha.
Also in attendance were several ministers (including Ayodele Olawande, Heineken Lokpobiri, Abubakar Momoh, and Zephaniah Jisalo), former governors (Tanko Al-Makura, Adamu Mu’azu, Fidelis Tapgun, Yahaya Bello, and Rochas Okorocha), former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, and various Senators, members of the House of Representatives, and members of the APC National Working Committee.
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