President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians, especially Plateau citizens, to embrace peace, unity, and religious tolerance as key ingredients for national growth. The president made the appeal at the burial of Madam Lydia Yilwatda, mother of APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at the headquarters of Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos on Saturday.
Addressing the congregation, Tinubu urged Nigerians to transcend religious and ethnic affiliations, noting that love and harmonious coexistence are still the pillars of a successful society.
“I inherited Islam from my family, I did not change; but my wife is a pastor who prays for me all the time. I have never tried to convert her. I believe in the freedom of religion,” the president said. “We are all praying to the same Almighty God. Our love for each other is what really matters.”
He defined his mission as one focused on the country’s unification and its prosperity, assuring Christian communities in northern Nigeria of his administration’s devotion to inclusiveness and equity.
“I have a mission to unite this country and ensure its progress. We are routing bandits, and we will route them to completion. We are resolute to bring to end terrorism and farmers-herders conflict all over the country,” Tinubu said.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang thanked the president for attending the burial, deeming his presence a demonstration of leadership and sympathy. He also complained of insecurity which has destroyed the state, saying it has caused the death of innocent individuals and added poverty.
Mutfwang made sure that his administration was busy in strengthening peace and security, and also commended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for standing up for displaced and vulnerable women and children in Plateau.
Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in his eulogy, portrayed his deceased mother as industrious and compassionate woman whose existence was that of sacrifice and dedication. “My mother was a hustler; she cooked Akara and pap in the morning and hawked drinks in the afternoon. Even when she was unwell, she never rested. She existed to serve others,” he said.
The late Lord’s burial procession was honored with the presence of dignitaries like incumbent and former governors, ministers, legislators, traditional rulers, and religious leaders.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on the other hand, criticized President Tinubu’s visit as a misplaced priority given the prevailing insecurity in Plateau and other parts of the North Central region.
In a statement, Atiku said, “It is extremely regrettable that the president did not come to Plateau to commiserate with grieving citizens who have endured ongoing violence but came instead for a political requiem organized by his party chairman.”
He accused the president of having “a callous disregard for compassion and empathy,” arguing that the visit “sends a sinister message to victims still mourning their dead.”.
Atiku continued, “From Benue to Niger and now Kwara, people are still subjected to horrific attacks but APC government has refused to stand by them. Nigerians are observing and they will not forget.”
