Plateau Gathering: List Of VIPs That Joined Tinubu To Pay Final Tribute To APC Chairman’s Mother

A powerful delegation of dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, and several serving ministers, joined President Bola Tinubu in Jos, Plateau State, on Saturday to honour the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

Also present at the funeral were the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; former SGF, Boss Mustapha; and ministers Ayodele Olawande (Youth Development), Heineken Lokpobiri (State, Petroleum Resources), Abubakar Momoh (Regional Development), and Zephaniah Jisalo (Special Duties).

A number of APC governors attended, alongside former governors Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi), Fidelis Tapgun (Plateau), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), and Rochas Okorocha (Imo). Members of the National Assembly, the APC National Working Committee, and former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara were also in attendance.

Tinubu’s Tribute and Call for Unity

Speaking at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) headquarters, President Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the deceased, describing her as “a devoted mother and humanitarian whose life embodied compassion and community service.”

Reaffirming his mission to unite Nigeria, Tinubu said:

“I have a mission to unite this country and ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress.”

Referencing his own family’s religious diversity, Tinubu called for tolerance and interfaith harmony:

“In my family, I come from a strong Muslim background, but I married a Christian, a pastor, and I have never compelled her to change her faith.”

The President assured Nigerians of his administration’s determination to restore peace and security, promising victory over bandits and an end to farmers-herders conflicts. He also defended ongoing economic reforms, stressing that they were designed to improve citizens’ welfare despite the initial challenges.

Tinubu further recalled his deep ties with Plateau, citing his days in the Social Democratic Party (SDP):

“Governor Caleb Mutfwang showed me Ambassador Yahaya Kwande’s bungalow, where we once met to decide MKO Abiola’s fate. Today, I return as President, grateful to bid farewell to a mother of the community.”

Clergy Commends Tinubu

In his remarks, the President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo, praised Tinubu’s inclusive leadership, citing the appointments of SGF George Akume and APC National Chairman Yilwatda as examples of his support for northern Christians.

Mohzo applauded federal efforts in addressing insecurity in Plateau and Benue States but appealed for further intervention to assist victims of violence and facilitate the safe return of displaced Christian communities from Borno and Adamawa currently taking refuge in Cameroon.