What Tinubu told Northern Christian leaders in Jos

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his resolve to unite Nigerians and promote fairness among all faiths, assuring Northern Christian communities of his administration’s commitment to equity and inclusion.

Speaking on Saturday during a meeting with Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, Tinubu said his government’s focus is on national unity and progress.

“I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” the President said, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

The President also paid tribute to the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, who passed away at 83. He noted that his own family reflected Nigeria’s religious diversity.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He urged church leaders to have confidence in his administration’s intentions, saying that leaders have a responsibility to manage religious differences for the collective good.

The President further restated his administration’s commitment to defeating insecurity, noting that progress was being made in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,” he said.

Tinubu also emphasized that his government is working to rebuild the economy for the benefit of all citizens.

While attending the funeral prayers for the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, the President described her as a devoted and compassionate woman.

“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.

“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,” Tinubu said.

In his tribute, Professor Yilwatda described his late mother as a resilient and hard-working 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, expressing gratitude to the President for his support and pledging to uphold the trust reposed in him.

Reverend Dr. Amos Mohzo, President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, thanked the President for his outreach to Northern Christians and for appointing members of the community to key positions, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and APC National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda.

He also appreciated Tinubu’s response to insecurity in Plateau and Benue States, urging him to support victims of conflict and facilitate the return of displaced Christian communities from Borno and Adamawa who fled to Cameroon due to insurgent attacks.

Mohzo assured the President of the Church’s continued support for the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The funeral was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman; APC governors; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and several ministers, including Ayodele Olawande, Heineken Lokpobiri, Abubakar Momoh, and Zephaniah Jisalo.

Also present were SGF George Akume, former SGF Boss Mustapha, and former governors Tanko Al-Makura, Adamu Mu’azu, Fidelis Tapgun, Yahaya Bello, and Rochas Okorocha, as well as former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, legislators, and members of the APC National Working Committee.