President Tinubu Pays Heartfelt Tribute To Late Mama Lydia Yilwatda, Mother Of APC National Chairman.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound condolences to Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the passing of his mother, Mama Lydia Yilwatda, at the age of 83. The revered matriarch died peacefully on Sunday, 17 August 2025, at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital in Plateau State, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and community upliftment, as highlighted by the President in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu described Mama Lydia as a “woman of virtue who lived a life dedicated to faith, service, and the uplifting of her community.” A devoted Christian and prominent leader in the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), she was widely respected for her humility, compassion, and tireless contributions to the church’s growth across Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Plateau States, alongside her late husband, Reverend Toma Goshewe Yilwatda. The President urged Professor Yilwatda to find solace in his mother’s purposeful life, stating, “Her death is the will of Almighty God, and we must be consoled by the legacy she leaves behind.” He also prayed for the repose of her soul and strength for her family and community to bear the loss.
The APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, echoed Tinubu’s sentiments, describing Mama Lydia’s passing as a “colossal loss” not only to the Yilwatda family but to the entire APC family and Plateau State. Her generosity and selfless service were noted as exemplary, with her influence evident in the leadership qualities of her son, the APC National Chairman. The party’s Plateau State chapter, through Acting Publicity Secretary Shittu Bamaiyi, expressed shock at the loss, noting that her motherly wisdom and prayers were particularly vital at this time.
Tributes poured in from across Nigeria’s political spectrum. The Northern States Governors’ Forum, led by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, mourned the octogenarian’s passing, describing it as a “deeply painful loss” and acknowledging the irreplaceable role of a mother’s guidance. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang praised Mama Lydia as a “matriarch of uncommon strength, love, and sacrifice,” whose deep faith and service to humanity inspired many. Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, lauded her as a devoted mother and community leader whose legacy endures through her son’s leadership.
Former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, also extended condolences, with Ganduje noting that Mama Lydia’s moral uprightness and nurturing spirit shaped generations. Aliyu highlighted her role in raising Professor Yilwatda into a leader of repute, adding that her wisdom and kindness touched the wider community. Senator Adeola, in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria, praised her as a respected Christian leader who supported her late clergyman husband, leaving a fulfilled life of meaningful contributions.
Mama Lydia is survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, with her legacy celebrated as one of discipline, compassion, and service. The outpouring of tributes underscores her profound impact, with many in Plateau State and beyond remembering her as a beacon of hope and unity. As the APC and Yilwatda family prepare to honour her memory, President Tinubu’s call to celebrate her life of purpose resonates, offering comfort to those mourning her loss.