The remains of Nana Lydia Goshwe Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, were on Saturday laid to rest in Dungung village, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State amidst tears, tributes, and the presence of top government officials, family members, and sympathizers.
The funeral service, held at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Headquarters, Jos, drew dignitaries from across Nigeria, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who attended to pay his last respects to the late matriarch.
Delivering his message during the service, President Tinubu described the late Mama Lydia as “a virtuous woman whose life was defined by integrity, discipline, and faith.” He urged Nigerians to emulate her virtues, stressing that peace and tolerance are essential for national progress.
The President emphasized the importance of religious harmony in Nigeria, saying that despite his being a Muslim and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, being a Christian, faith differences have never been a barrier in their home. He called on citizens to embrace unity and understanding across religious lines.
“Let us learn from Mama Lydia’s example. Our nation’s strength lies in our ability to live peacefully, irrespective of tribe or religion,” Tinubu stated.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State, who received the President and accompanied him to the service, expressed gratitude to Tinubu for standing with the Yilwatda family during their moment of grief. He described the late Nana Lydia as “a woman who raised a great son in service to God and humanity.”
The Governor commended the President for his continued partnership with the Plateau State Government and used the occasion to extend an invitation for an official visit to the state to witness ongoing developmental projects under his administration.
He also appreciated the appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman, describing it as a recognition of Plateau’s long-standing contribution to national leadership and the enduring legacy of late political icon Chief Solomon Lar.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who led members of the National Assembly to the funeral, praised the late matriarch for her devotion to family and faith. He noted that her values of hard work and service are evident in the life of her son, Professor Yilwatda.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who represented the Progressive Governors’ Forum, also paid tribute, describing Mama Lydia as a “mother of faith whose life remains a lesson in humility and godliness.”
In his emotional tribute, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda described his late mother as “a pillar of strength, discipline, and compassion.” He said she taught him to serve with honesty and to always put the people first, virtues he vowed to uphold in his leadership.
He expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu, the Progressive Governors, the Plateau State Government, and all well-wishers who stood by his family during the difficult time, praying that God would reward them for their love and support.
The late Nana Lydia Goshwe Yilwatda was remembered as a woman of faith, humility, and kindness whose legacy continues to live through her children and those she impacted in her lifetime. Her burial marked the celebration of a fulfilled life devoted to service, love, and faith.
