President Tinubu reaffirms his commitment to unity, assuring northern Christians of fairness, inclusivity and continued fight against insecurity

President Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to national unity and fairness, assuring Christian communities in northern Nigeria of his administration’s dedication to inclusivity across all faiths.

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Speaking on Saturday at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, the President said his government was determined to strengthen unity and restore national prosperity.

“I have a mission to unite this country and ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” Tinubu declared, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President, accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, attended the funeral service of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who died at 83.

Reflecting on his family’s religious diversity, Tinubu cited it as proof of his respect for all faiths.

“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 said.

The President urged religious leaders to continue supporting national cohesion, stressing that faith and leadership must work hand-in-hand to ensure peace and development.

He also reaffirmed his government’s resolve to defeat insecurity and revive the economy. “We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them.

We will deal with them and end the farmers-herders clashes,” Tinubu asserted, adding that ongoing economic reforms were crafted to improve citizens’ welfare.

Paying tribute to the late Goshwe, Tinubu described her as a devoted mother and humanitarian whose life exemplified compassion and service.

Recalling his political roots in Plateau State, he said, “During the SDP days, we met here 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.”

In his remarks, Professor Yilwatda hailed his mother as a resilient woman who lived with health challenges for 47 years yet remained dedicated to family and humanitarian work.

He thanked the President for attending and for his continued support of the APC leadership.

Reverend Dr Amos Mohzo, President of COCIN, expressed gratitude to Tinubu for engaging with the Christian community and for inclusive appointments such as those of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the APC National Chairman.

He commended the President’s handling of insecurity in Plateau and Benue States, urging further assistance for displaced communities in Borno and Adamawa, as well as support for conflict victims across the North-Central.

Dr Mohzo pledged the church’s “unflinching support” for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising shared aspirations for peace and justice.

The funeral service drew a distinguished crowd, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governors’ Forum Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, APC governors, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, among several others.

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With his message of unity and fairness, President Tinubu sought to strengthen faith in his leadership a powerful reminder that Nigeria’s future depends on cooperation, tolerance, and shared national purpose.