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Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to National Unity, Inclusivity During Visit to Jos

Published

10 months ago

October 6, 2025

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President Tinubu , Tribute ,Late Lydia Yilwatda

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness, unity, and inclusivity across religious lines, assuring Christian communities in Northern Nigeria of his dedication to national cohesion and equitable governance.

The President gave the assurance on Saturday during a meeting with Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Jos, Plateau State, held as part of his visit to attend the funeral of the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

“I have a mission to unite this country and ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” President Tinubu said, emphasizing that his administration’s priority remains fostering peace and development among all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity.

Paying tribute to the late Lydia Yilwatda, who passed away at 83, the President described her as “a devoted mother and humanitarian whose life reflected faith and compassion.”

Reflecting on his personal life, Tinubu underscored his belief in religious tolerance. “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 stated.

He urged the clergy to continue supporting efforts aimed at promoting national unity and peaceful coexistence, stressing that both political and religious leaders have a shared duty to manage the nation’s diversity for collective progress.

Speaking on national security, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s resolve to confront insecurity in all forms, including terrorism, banditry, and farmers-herders clashes.
“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and end the farmers-herders clashes,” he assured.

The President also reaffirmed that his government is implementing economic reforms designed to improve living standards and foster inclusive growth.

Recalling his long-standing ties with Plateau State, Tinubu reminisced about his political engagements during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) era, noting that Jos holds a special place in Nigeria’s democratic history.

At the funeral service, the chief mourner, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described his late mother as a resilient and compassionate woman who lived with a medical condition for 47 years yet remained committed to her family and community.
“My mother worked tirelessly despite her health challenges, always offering humanitarian assistance and support to others,” he said, expressing appreciation to President Tinubu for his solidarity and leadership.

In his remarks, Reverend Dr. Amos Mohzo, President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, commended President Tinubu for his inclusive leadership style, particularly his appointment of Northern Christians to key national positions such as Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman.

He also lauded the President’s efforts to restore peace in Plateau and Benue States and appealed for continued intervention to support victims of violence and displaced Christian communities in Borno and Adamawa States.

Rev. Mohzo pledged the church’s support for the success of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The funeral service was attended by several dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, as well as APC governors and ministers.

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2027: Obasanjo working for Tinubu, support for Obi-Kwankwaso smokescreen — Malaolu

Published

1 hour ago

July 26, 2026

Preport

A public affairs analyst, Akin Malaolu, has claimed former President Olusegun Obasanjo is working for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement on Sunday, Malaolu said the former president’s support for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso is a smokescreen.

According to him, Obasanjo is on a campaign to undermine the opposition parties in Nigeria.

“By this letter, Obasanjo has only confirmed the speculations that he is working for his kinsman, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to actualise his second-term ambition.

“The so-called Obasanjo’s support for Obi and Kwankwaso is a mere smokescreen aimed at masking his covert support for the Tinubu-led APC administration.”

Recall that Obasanjo had accused Atiku of allegedly bribing former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to impeach him. However, in a reply, Atiku dismissed Obasanjo’s claim.

Health

10,000 Nigerians benefit from 2026 diaspora health initiative — Official

Published

2 hours ago

July 26, 2026

Preport

The federal government has announced that nearly 10,000 Nigerians benefited from specialist medical services, surgeries and other healthcare interventions under the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (NDHII).

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Saturday at the National Diaspora Merit Award Dinner and closing ceremony of the 2026 Diaspora Health Impact Initiative held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

Mr Salako said the initiative brought together thousands of Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora who voluntarily returned to the country to provide specialist medical services, conduct surgeries, mentor healthcare workers and support local health systems.

He described the programme as a demonstration of patriotism and an example of how diaspora expertise could help improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

According to him, diaspora medical teams drawn from organisations in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Germany and South Africa delivered medical interventions across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Healthcare services

Mr Salako said the initiative provided medical consultations, specialist surgeries, diagnostic services, telemedicine, sickle cell screening and other healthcare interventions to nearly 10,000 Nigerians.

He added that more than 2,000 frontline healthcare workers were trained during the programme to strengthen the country’s capacity to provide quality healthcare after the medical missions ended.

Among the achievements highlighted by the minister were the training of over 1,000 frontline health workers on the Safer Births Bundle of Care in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto states.

He also said more than 4,000 medical consultations and over 500 surgeries were carried out in Enugu, Imo and Abia states.

According to him, advanced interventional radiology, neurosurgery and endoscopy procedures were performed in Lagos, while healthcare workers in Edo State received training on ultrasound-based diagnosis of endometriosis.

He added that telemedicine and primary healthcare services were expanded in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State through the initiative.

Government plans

Mr Salako said the federal government would continue to strengthen engagement with Nigerian health professionals abroad by simplifying licensing procedures, facilitating locum arrangements and supporting customs and visa waivers for medical missions.

He added that the government would also encourage diaspora investment in hospitals, diagnostic centres and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

While acknowledging the migration of Nigerian health professionals, Mr Salako said the Tinubu administration was implementing reforms to improve healthcare financing, infrastructure, workforce welfare, and professional development.

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He urged Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to register on the newly launched Nigerians in Diaspora Advanced Health Programme (NiDAH) Portal and the Diaspora Health Registry to enable them to contribute more effectively to the country’s health sector.

Mr Salako also called for sustained collaboration through telemedicine, digital health, structured training partnerships, joint clinical research, technology transfer and public-private partnerships.

He commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), state governments, development partners and members of the joint planning committee for supporting the successful implementation of the initiative.