Prof Nentawe Yilwatda

11/08/2026

I was deeply honoured to join the Muslim community today at an important gathering dedicated to a subject that goes to the very heart of Nigeria’s future: “Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future.” The theme is not only timely; it is profound. For Nigeria, diversity is not an abstract concept. It is the reality of our national existence. We are a nation of different faiths, ethnicities, languages, cultures and traditions, woven together by a shared history and a common destiny. The question before us is therefore not whether Muslims and Christians can live together, but what kind of Nigeria are we building by the way we live together?

I spoke from the heart and from experience. I grew up in Yobe State as the son of a pastor, and as a young boy, I witnessed the beautiful friendship between my father and the Chief Imam of Nguru. They were men of different faiths, but their humanity came before their differences. They visited one another, respected one another and stood together as neighbours, friends and Nigerians. That experience taught me a lesson I have carried throughout my life: religious difference does not have to produce human distance. Sadly, I later witnessed in Plateau State the other side of Nigeria—conflict, suspicion, displacement, destruction and the tragic loss of innocent lives. I saw what happens when we stop seeing our neighbours as human beings and begin to see them only through the narrow lens of religion or ethnicity.

Today, I asked some difficult but necessary questions: When did our differences become reasons to fear one another? When did being Christian or Muslim become more important than being Nigerian? When did ethnic identity become more powerful than our shared humanity? Nigeria faces terrorism, banditry, communal violence, hate speech and the manipulation of identity for political purposes. We must confront these challenges, but we must also confront the hatred and dehumanisation that often lie beneath them. Security is necessary, but lasting peace requires justice, education, responsible leadership, economic opportunity, dialogue and moral courage. Our churches and mosques must become centres of peace; our traditional institutions must become instruments of reconciliation; and our political leaders must never weaponise religion or ethnicity for temporary political advantage.

Nigeria does not need less diversity. We need greater wisdom to manage our diversity. We do not need to become the same; we need to learn to live together as different people with a shared destiny. Let us choose dialogue over confrontation, reconciliation over revenge, justice over vengeance, and humanity over identity. Let us build a Nigeria where a Christian can protect a Muslim, a Muslim can defend a Christian, and every Nigerian can stand for another Nigerian—not because we share the same faith, ethnicity or political affiliation, but because we share the same humanity. One day, our children will ask us: “When Nigeria was divided, what did you do?” Let our answer be simple: We chose peace. We chose unity. We chose humanity. We chose Nigeria.

08/08/2026

Earlier today, I flagged off the second phase of the medical outreach as part of the activities to mark my 58th birthday. I was joined by the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, other government functionaries and the good people of Taraba State. I was deeply moved by the warmth of the people, especially the children who, despite their pain, smiled and hailed us. It was a powerful reminder that leadership is ultimately about people.

I stand today with a profound sense of gratitude to God and appreciation for two important leaderships. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a giver of new hope to Nigerians. The President provided the resources; our health workers took those resources and multiplied them into lives saved and hope restored. More than 300 surgeries and 572 dental interventions have been recorded, while those requiring specialised treatment are receiving attention. These are not mere statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, brothers and sisters whose stories have been given a new chapter. One surgery can change a life.

We also commissioned critical health facilities, including the Administrative Block, Kidney Centre, High Dependency Unit, Critical Care Unit and a new theatre, and visited beneficiaries of the outreach at the surgical ward and the National Orthopaedic Hospital. I am encouraged by what we have achieved in Taraba. It demonstrates what is possible when leadership is driven by service. This is the APC I believe in, an APC that gives life, promotes justice and creates opportunities for people to live with dignity.

At 58, I ask God for only greater wisdom to serve and more opportunities to make a difference. Many of my age mates are no longer here, so every additional day is a gift I must use in the service of humanity. Let this outreach send one clear message to the vulnerable: you are not forgotten. I will continue to serve Nigeria with all my strength for as long as God gives me breath. May God bless Taraba, bless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and bless the people of Nigeria.

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

Live Media Chat in Taraba State.

07/08/2026

Earlier today, I was hosted to a warm reception by the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, at the Government House in Jalingo, as part of activities marking my 58th birthday. It was an honour to be received by such a huge and enthusiastic crowd from the airport to the Government House. The warmth, love and hospitality of the people of Taraba have left a lasting impression on me. I am particularly grateful to the Governor for partnering with us to provide medical support across the three senatorial districts.

We are not only here to canvass for votes; we are here to touch lives. We are here to restore hope to poor families and to help revive dreams that have been interrupted by medical challenges. This is the human face of the APC, a party that recognises the people at the grassroots and believes that politics must ultimately be about the welfare of the people. Through our interventions, we have shared grants and equipment worth over a billion naira. In our party, for every vote we seek, we must also seek the wellbeing and good health of the people.

 I appreciated the governor for embracing our party and for the partnership with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Across Taraba, federal presence is becoming visible through roads and other projects that will stimulate commerce, connectivity and social cohesion. I believe the President’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy will open even greater opportunities for states like Taraba. I look forward to Taraba benefiting from these transformative projects and seeing its farmers and young people connected to new opportunities. Truly, this is the best birthday I have ever had. I hope my humble journey will inspire the young people of Taraba to believe that their dreams are possible.

07/08/2026

I commissioned a beautiful new edifice which is the State Secretariat of our great party in Jalingo, Taraba State. I was joined by the Honourable Minister of Regional Development and members of the National Working Committee. The warm reception from the airport was deeply emotional, especially seeing widows and children dancing to welcome me. Their joy was touching, but their stories were heartbreaking. That is why, on my birthday, I chose to support a medical outreach in Taraba. Beyond the vote and beyond the party, the lives of our people matter to us.

This beautiful Secretariat must be more than an office; it must be a temple of reconciliation. I want to see aggrieved members sitting around the table, resolving differences, rebuilding trust and bringing more people into our great party. Our strength is our unity, and Taraba has the capacity to deliver the numbers.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has brought renewed federal attention to Taraba, with critical infrastructure and development projects changing the story of communities that once felt forgotten. We must translate this development into greater hope for our people and a stronger mandate for Mr. President. This is the APC we are building, a party of humanity, reconciliation, development and hope.

06/08/2026

Today marks another turning point in my life as my family, friends, Plateau youths and well-wishers, including members of the National Working Committee of our great party, the APC and the Plateau State government gathered in Jos to witness a colloquium organised by Plateau youths to celebrate me.

I am deeply humbled. I never imagined that young men and women would come together to celebrate the journey of the son of a pastor and the son of a farmer in this manner. My story is a testimony that destiny can lift anyone, regardless of where they come from. I was one of those who never passed a Common Entrance Examination. I attended a government secondary school, faced difficult circumstances and, by God’s grace and the support of remarkable women who played an enormous role in my upbringing, I made it through. I owe so much to them.

Destiny took me from those humble beginnings to INEC, to becoming an APC candidate in 2023, and ultimately to the leadership of our great party. I remain profoundly grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to serve first as a Minister and today as National Chairman of the APC. I am equally grateful to the youths of Plateau who stood firmly with me during my campaign. You were there when it mattered, and I will never forget it.

As I celebrate this birthday, my greatest commitment remains building a better future for our people. I believe strongly in President Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion Nigerian economy and the massive investments in infrastructure, transportation, ports, railways, airports and other sectors that are laying the foundation for a stronger Nigeria. I have chosen to mark this birthday through medical outreach in Taraba because, for me, the greatest celebration is service. To every young person who celebrated me today: your story can be greater than mine. Never give up on your dreams. Destiny has no respect for humble beginnings.

06/08/2026

Live on Jay FM Nigeria at Sunset.

04/08/2026

Progress is taking shape in Kanke.

Yesterday, alongside the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, we inspected the site of the newly approved dam project for Kanke and neighbouring communities.

This landmark project, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will expand irrigation, empower farmers, strengthen food security, and create lasting opportunities for our people.

Step by step, the Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering meaningful infrastructure and sustainable development where it matters most.