President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday assured Northern Christian communities of his administration’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity, pledging to foster national unity while addressing insecurity and economic challenges.
Tinubu gave the assurance during a meeting with Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, where he reiterated his resolve to unite Nigeria across religious and ethnic divides.
“I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” the President declared. “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 clergymen to place their trust in his administration, stressing that leaders carry the responsibility of managing religious differences for the collective good of all citizens.
While in Jos, Tinubu also paid tribute to Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, who passed away at 83. The President described her as a devoted mother and humanitarian who left behind a legacy of faith and resilience.
Reflecting on his long-standing ties with Plateau State, Tinubu recalled his political engagements during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) era, noting that Jos has remained central to Nigeria’s democratic journey. “Today, I am grateful that I am alive and, to God be the glory, to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to come here to bid farewell to the mother of the community,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s determination to end insecurity, particularly terrorism, banditry, and farmer-herder conflicts, which have deeply affected Plateau and other northern states. “We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,” Tinubu vowed.
On the economy, the President maintained that reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda are geared toward improving the lives of Nigerians across all regions, stressing that fairness will remain his guiding principle.
In his remarks, APC National Chairman Nantawe Yilwatda described his late mother as a hardworking woman who endured health challenges for 47 years but remained committed to supporting her family and community. He expressed gratitude to the President for attending the funeral and pledged to uphold the trust reposed in him as party chairman.
Reverend Dr Amos Mohzo, President of COCIN, thanked Tinubu for appointing Northern Christians into strategic positions, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Professor Yilwatda as APC chairman. He further appealed for federal support in rehabilitating victims of violence in Plateau and Benue, and for the resettlement of displaced Christian communities from Borno and Adamawa who fled to Cameroon.
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The funeral prayers drew a wide range of dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, governors, ministers, and former state executives. Also in attendance were National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, and members of the APC National Working Committee.