Tinubu reassures Northern Christians of fairness, pays tribute to late Lydia Yilwatda in Jos

*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at a funeral prayer for late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of APC, in Jos, Plateau State, assures Christian community in Northern Nigeria of his administration’s commitment to ensuring fairness among all religions in the West African country

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the weekend, in Jos, Plateau State capital, affirmed his mission to unite Nigerians.

Tinubu assured the Christian communities in Northern Nigeria of his administration’s commitment to ensuring fairness among all religions in the country.

The President gave the assurance during his meeting with some Christian leaders at the Headquarters of COCIN Church in Jos.

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Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated President Tinubu said: “I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress.”

In his tribute at the funeral prayer for late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of APC, who died at the age of 83, the President stated: “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 Nigerian leader also urged the clergymen to have faith in his administration.

According to him, as leaders, Nigerians in positions of authority have the responsibility to manage religious issues for the benefit of all.

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He equally affirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria especially in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

Tinubu explained: “We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders’ clashes.”

The President further disclosed that his administration is revamping the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.

In his address, President Tinubu described late Nana Lydia Yilwatda as a devoted mother during the funeral prayers.

He stated: “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.”

The President said: “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.”

Speaking at the event, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, chief mourner and National Chairman of APC, said his mother was a hard-working woman who lived on medication for 47 years.

Yilwatda stated: “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 also thanked President Tinubu for his emergence as APC Chairman, and he promised to keep the trust reposed in him.

Earlier, in his sermon Reverend Dr. Amos Mohzo, President and Spiritual leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), who spoke on behalf of the clergymen, had thanked the President for his support of Northern Christians.

Reverend Dr. Mohzo especially mentioned their appointment into key positions, such as Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and Prof. Yilwatda, new National Chairman of APC, among others.

The COCIN President particularly applauded President Tinubu for his response to the insecurity in Plateau and Benue states.

The clergy urged the President to assist the victims of conflict in Benue.

Mohzo also appealed to the Nigerian leader to ensure safe return of some Christian communities, who had fled Borno and Adamawa to Cameroon as a result of insurgent attacks in the homelands.

Reverend Dr. Mohzo further assured Tinubu of their unflinching support for his administration in its determination to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman, APC Governors, NSA Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State (Petroleum) Heinekin Lokpobiri, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, Special Duties Minister Zephaniah Jisalo attended the funeral prayer.

Also in attendance were SGF Senator George Akume, and his predecessor, Mr. Boss Mustapha, as well as former governors Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, Adamu Mu’azu of Bauchi State, Fidelis Tapgun of Plateau State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

Members of the APC National Working Committee, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, and directors from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs also attended the funeral programme in Jos, the Presidential aide stated.

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