President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to fostering unity, fairness, and national progress, assuring Christian communities in Northern Nigeria of his administration’s dedication to religious inclusivity.
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, where he also paid tribute to the late 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 said. He emphasized that religious tolerance and mutual respect remain central to his vision for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
Reflecting on his personal life, Tinubu 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, stressing that leaders must responsibly manage religious diversity for the benefit of all Nigerians.
On security, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s resolve to end terrorism and banditry, noting that significant progress has been made in restoring peace across affected regions. “We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,” he declared.
He also assured Nigerians that the government’s ongoing economic reforms would yield benefits for all citizens, describing the late Lydia Yilwatda as a “devoted mother and humanitarian” during her funeral service.
Reminiscing about his earlier political engagements in Jos, Tinubu recalled meeting with political leaders during the SDP era at the home of Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, where pivotal decisions were made concerning the late Chief MKO Abiola. “Today, I am grateful to God to return here as President to honor a mother of the community,” he said.
APC National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, described his late mother as a resilient woman who lived on medication for 47 years but continued to work tirelessly to support her family and community. He thanked President Tinubu for his support and pledged loyalty to the party’s leadership.
COCIN President, Reverend Dr. Amos Mohzo, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing Northern Christians to strategic positions in government, including Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Professor Yilwatda as APC Chairman. He also appealed for greater federal support for victims of insecurity in Plateau, Benue, and other affected states.
In attendance were top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and several ministers, former governors, and legislators.
The funeral drew political and religious leaders from across Nigeria, reflecting the late Lydia Yilwatda’s wide influence and legacy of service.