…Vows fairness across religions, pledges to crush insecurity
…Pays last respect to APC Chairman’s late mother in Jos
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday assured Christian communities in Northern Nigeria of his administration’s commitment to ensuring fairness among all religions, declaring that his ultimate mission is to unite the country.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The statement reads partly: “I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress.
“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.
“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes.
“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.”
President Tinubu gave the assurances while meeting Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State. He said his government is committed to tackling terrorism, banditry, and farmers-herders clashes while also revamping the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.
The President, who was in Jos to pay tribute to Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, described her as a devoted mother and humanitarian who lived a life of sacrifice until her passing at 83.
The APC chairman, in an emotional tribute, recalled that his late mother lived on medication for 47 years yet worked tirelessly to support her family and community.
He expressed gratitude to the President for his support and promised to uphold the trust reposed in him.
Reverend Dr Amos Mohzo, President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, thanked President Tinubu for appointing Christians into key positions, citing Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and APC Chairman, Professor Yilwatda, as examples.
He urged the President to provide more support to victims of violence in Plateau and Benue and to assist displaced Christians from Borno and Adamawa who fled to Cameroun as a result of insurgency.
The funeral service drew an influential crowd, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nigerian Governors’ Forum Chairman AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman, members of the APC National Working Committee, ministers, senators, former governors, and former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
