NATIONAL UNITY ON DISPLAY AS TINUBU, MUTFWANG, AKAPBIO MOURN WITH APC CHAIRMAN IN JOS

In a powerful display of national unity that transcended party lines, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang (PDP), and Senate President Godswill Akpabio led a host of dignitaries to Jos on Saturday, October 4, 2025, to pay their last respects to Mama Lydia Goshwe Yilwatda, the mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

The funeral service, held at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) headquarters in Jos, drew a large, diverse crowd, underscoring the high regard for the APC National Chairman and the late matriarch, who passed away in August at the age of 83.

President Tinubu Preaches Love and Tolerance

In his eulogy, President Tinubu described the late Mama Lydia as “a mother of the community, a mother of the state, and a humanitarian.” The President, praising Professor Yilwatda as “a man of character and intellect,” used the solemn occasion to stress the importance of national cohesion.

“This gathering should remind us of the values that matter unity, contentment, satisfaction, and productive leadership for our nation,” President Tinubu stated. He further called on Nigerians to shun division, emphasizing religious freedom and mutual respect: “Hate is not an option for us. Love is what we must continue to preach love for one another. We may differ in faith, but we pray to the same Almighty God, to whom we are all answerable.”

Bipartisan Cordiality in Plateau

The presence of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, a PDP Governor in a state grappling with security challenges, was a significant highlight. Governor Mutfwang expressed profound gratitude to the President for honouring the state with his presence, calling it a “fatherly gesture” that meant so much to the people of Plateau. He also appreciated the President for appointing Prof. Yilwatda as the APC National Chairman, noting it was an honour for the entire state.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended President Tinubu as a “unifier” for bridging faiths, regions, and political divides, a fact clearly demonstrated by the calibre of attendees at the service.

A Son’s Emotional Farewell

In his touching tribute, the bereaved APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, expressed deep appreciation for the extended life God granted his mother. He recounted that Mama Lydia had defied medical predictions in 1978 that gave her only two years to live, but through resilience and determination, she lived an additional 47 years. The Chairman portrayed his mother as a resilient figure who worked tirelessly as a virtuous African woman.

Following the service, the remains of Mama Lydia Goshwe Yilwatda were conveyed to her hometown, Kanke community, in the Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, for internment.