I HAVE A MISSION TO UNITE NIGERIA — TINUBU REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO NATIONAL COHESION
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By: Sefiu Ajape
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to fostering national unity, assuring Christian communities in northern Nigeria of his administration’s resolve to ensure fairness and inclusivity across all faiths.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, 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.
“I have a mission to unite this country and ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” the President said.
Tinubu, who attended the funeral of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the late matriarch as a devoted mother and humanitarian who lived a life of faith and service.
Reflecting on his own family’s diversity, the President said his marriage exemplifies his respect for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
“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,” he stated.
He urged the clergy to continue to trust his administration’s leadership, stressing that religious harmony is a collective responsibility.
Tinubu also reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling insecurity and reviving the economy.
“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and end the farmers-herders clashes,” he said, adding that the ongoing economic reforms were designed to improve the welfare of all Nigerians.
Recalling his political history with Plateau State, the President said, “When we were coming here, Governor Caleb Mutfwang 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. Today, I am grateful to be alive, and to God be the glory, to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to come here to bid farewell to a mother of the community.”
Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who served as chief mourner, paid tribute to his mother, describing her as a “hardworking woman who lived on medication for 47 years.”
“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 said.
He also thanked the President for his emergence as APC National Chairman and pledged to uphold the trust placed in him.
The President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, Reverend Dr Amos Mohzo, who spoke on behalf of the clergymen, commended Tinubu for his inclusive leadership and support for northern Christians, particularly through appointments such as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the APC National Chairman.
Mohzo also praised the President’s response to insecurity in Plateau and Benue States and appealed for assistance to victims of violence in the North-Central region.
He further urged the Federal Government to facilitate the safe return of displaced Christian communities in Borno and Adamawa currently taking refuge in Cameroon.
He assured Tinubu of the church’s continued support for his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The funeral service was attended by top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; APC governors; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and several ministers.
Also present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, his predecessor Boss Mustapha, former governors, lawmakers, APC National Working Committee members, and other dignitaries.
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