General Onoja Mourns APC Chairman’s Mother, Recalls Deep Plateau State Ties

The passing of Madam Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has drawn heartfelt condolences from retired General Lawrence Onoja, a former Military Governor of Plateau and Katsina states. Describing the loss as profoundly personal, General Onoja highlighted the significant void left by the matriarch’s departure, not just for her family but for the entire Plateau community and the nation at large.

A Life of Service and a State in Mourning

Madam Lydia Yilwatda passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital. She was 83 years old. Her death marks the end of an era for a family deeply embedded in the religious and social fabric of Northern Nigeria.

In his condolence message, General Onoja, who also served as the Principal General Staff Officer (Chief of Staff) at the State House, extended his deepest sympathies to Professor Yilwatda. He emphasized that the demise of Mama Lydia is a collective loss, felt acutely by all peace-loving citizens of Plateau State. Her passing, he noted, comes at a critical juncture when her wisdom and moral clarity are desperately needed in the ongoing efforts to foster lasting peace and reconciliation in the region.

General Onoja’s Personal Connection to Plateau

The retired general’s commiseration is deeply rooted in a long-standing relationship with the people of Plateau State. He did not merely serve as an administrator; he formed bonds that transformed the state into what he considers a second home. From 1986 to 1988, General Onoja served as the Military Governor of Plateau State, a period during which he gained intimate knowledge of its people, culture, and challenges.

Later, he returned to the region as the General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) of the 3 Armoured Division in Jos, further cementing his connection to the area. This unique history provides a poignant backdrop to his words, framing his grief not as that of a distant official, but of someone who shares a genuine, personal stake in the community’s well-being.

The Enduring Legacy of a COCIN Leader

Beyond her role as a mother, Madam Lydia Yilwatda was a formidable force in her own right. General Onoja fondly recalled her decades of devoted service to the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), where she was a notable woman leader. Alongside her late husband, Reverend Toma Goshewe Yilwatda, she dedicated her life to advancing the gospel of Christ, serving congregations across several northern states.

This lifetime of faith and service built a legacy of goodwill and community impact that transcends her immediate family. She was a pillar of her church and her community, offering sound moral and religious guidance that shaped many lives. Her departure, therefore, creates a vacuum in the spiritual and moral leadership that is so vital in today’s complex social landscape.

A Call for Reflection and Strength

In his message, General Onoja urged Professor Yilwatda and the entire bereaved family to find solace in the exemplary life their mother lived. He encouraged them to be comforted and strengthened by the selfless service to humanity that defined her years. “May God grant the soul of the departed mother eternal rest,” he prayed. “My dear Prof. Yilwatda, I encourage you to reflect on and be strengthened by the positive impact of community service and goodwill to others your late mother left behind.”

This advice speaks to a larger truth about grief and legacy. How does one navigate the profound loss of a parent? For public figures like Professor Yilwatda, the journey is undertaken under the watchful eye of a nation. General Onoja’s words serve as a reminder that the best way to honor such a legacy is to embody the same values of service and compassion.

Why This Loss Resonates Beyond the Family

The death of a parent is always a deeply personal tragedy. However, when that individual is the mother of a prominent national political figure, the event takes on a broader significance. Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, as the National Chairman of the ruling APC, occupies a position of immense influence and responsibility. The support system provided by family, especially a mother, is often the bedrock that allows public servants to navigate immense pressures.

Furthermore, Madam Lydia represented a generation that witnessed the transformation of Nigeria. Her life of service across the north is a microcosm of the quiet, often unsung work that builds communities and fosters unity. Her passing is a reminder of the invaluable role that elders play in maintaining social cohesion and moral direction, particularly in regions working to overcome conflict.

Plateau State: A Second Home in Need of Peace

General Onoja’s characterization of Plateau State as his second home underscores a personal commitment that goes beyond formal duty. His lament that Mama Lydia departed at a time when her voice was most needed points directly to the ongoing peace-building efforts in the state. Plateau State has faced its share of challenges, and the wisdom of elders is often crucial in mediating conflicts and healing divisions.

In this context, the loss of a respected community and church leader is not just a private family matter. It is a communal event that diminishes the collective reservoir of experience and grace available to guide the state toward a more stable and harmonious future. Her sound moral views, as referenced by Onoja, are precisely the tools needed to bridge divides and foster understanding.

Final Prayers and Lasting Impressions

Concluding his tribute, the elder statesman expressed a heartfelt prayer for the grieving family. He prayed that God would grant Professor Yilwatda and his immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. “She would be sorely missed,” he grieved, a simple yet powerful acknowledgment of the deep impact Madam Lydia had on those around her.

The story of Madam Lydia Yilwatda is ultimately one of faith, service, and quiet strength. While the nation’s attention may focus on the political stature of her son, her own legacy is a testament to the power of dedicated service at the grassroots level. It is a reminder that the true pillars of our society are often found not in the halls of power, but in the homes and churches where character is built and communities are nurtured.

As Plateau State and the nation mourn her passing, they also celebrate a life well-lived—a life that leaves behind a blueprint for service that continues to inspire.

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