PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday restated his administration’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity across all religious divides in Nigeria, declaring that his mission is to unite the nation and restore hope to all Nigerians regardless of faith.
News Point Nigeria reports that the President gave the assurance while meeting with Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, shortly after attending the funeral prayers of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, the late mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda.
Addressing the clergymen, President Tinubu emphasized that his administration was committed to strengthening national cohesion and ensuring fairness for all Nigerians.
“I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” he said.
“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 urged Christian leaders to have faith in his administration and assured them that his government would confront challenges of insecurity and terrorism head-on.
Tinubu noted that his administration is intensifying the war against banditry, terrorism, and farmers-herders clashes, vowing that the menace would be defeated.
“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,” he declared.
The President further highlighted ongoing efforts to revamp Nigeria’s economy, stressing that reforms being implemented would soon yield benefits for all Nigerians.
At the funeral prayers, President Tinubu described the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, who passed on at the age of 83, as a devoted mother, humanitarian, and a woman of faith.
“Today, I am grateful to God that I am alive to stand here as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to come here to bid farewell to the mother of the community and a humanitarian,” Tinubu said.
He recalled his earlier political engagements in Jos during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) days, noting that the city holds special historical significance for Nigeria’s democratic journey.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, who led family members in the funeral rites, praised his late mother’s resilience and strength, revealing that she lived with health challenges for 47 years yet continued to work tirelessly and support others.
“My mother worked for twenty-four hours despite her health condition, providing humanitarian assistance and supporting us all the way,” he said, while thanking President Tinubu for his support and trust in his leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the clergymen, Reverend Dr Amos Mohzo, President of COCIN, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing Northern Christians into key national positions, citing Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Professor Nantawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman.
He also appealed for more government support in tackling insecurity in Plateau and Benue States, as well as assistance for displaced Christian communities in Borno and Adamawa who fled to Cameroon due to insurgent attacks.
“We thank you for your leadership and urge you to assist victims of conflict and ensure the safe return of displaced Christians. We assure you of our unflinching support for the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Mohzo said.
The funeral was attended by an array of political and religious leaders, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman, APC governors, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, SGF George Akume, ministers, former governors, National Assembly members, and APC National Working Committee members.
Others present included former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, former SGF Boss Mustapha, and community leaders, reflecting the broad significance of the event.