Tinubu preaches love, unity at Mama Lydia’s funeral in Jos
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday paid glowing tribute to the late Mama Lydia Yilwatda at her final interment service in COCIN church Jos, describing her as a “mother of the community, a mother of the state, and a humanitarian.”
The president, while addressing mourners and dignitaries, emphasised the need for national unity, religious harmony, and selfless leadership.
Speaking at the historic church where the funeral service was held, President Tinubu thanked the clergy for their role in promoting peace and moral values. “Hate is not an option for us. Love is what we must continue to preach—love for one another,” he said, calling on Nigerians to embrace contentment, faith, and unity in honour of the values Mama Yilwatda represented.
Tinubu reflected on his own mother’s passing, recalling a personal experience that resonated with many in attendance. “When I buried my own mother, I found peace in her prayers”, he said.
“The prayer of every mother is that her child succeeds—and you will”, Tinubu told Nentawe Yilwatda, APC national chairman.
Read also: Mammoth crowd gather in Plateau ahead of Tinubu’s visit for Lydia’s funeral
He encouraged the bereaved family to celebrate Mama’s life with gratitude and peace.
The president also lauded Yilwatda, calling him “a great thinker, a progressive mind, and a performer.”
He said the overwhelming turnout of governors, public officials, and dignitaries at the funeral was a testament to the chairman’s character and the legacy of his late mother.
Recalling his political roots in Plateau State, Tinubu mentioned past meetings during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) days at the home of Ambassador Goshwe, noting that those discussions helped shape the nation’s democratic journey.
“I am grateful to God that I am alive today and privileged to serve as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The president further reaffirmed his belief in religious freedom, citing his interfaith marriage as an example of tolerance and harmony.
“I was raised in a Muslim family, and my wife is a pastor who prays for me always. We may differ in faith, but we pray to the same Almighty God”, he said.
Tinubu prayed for the repose of Mama Yilwatda’s soul and comfort for her family and the Plateau community.
“May the Almighty God accept the soul of Mama Lydia Yilwatda and grant blessings and comfort to all she left behind,” he added.
