Remi Tinubu, the First Lady, has urged Nigerian youths, particularly Christian youths, to shun political thuggery and promote peace, tolerance and responsible political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu made the call on Saturday during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Adamawa Government House Chapel in Yola, where she was represented by Kaletapwa Farauta, the Deputy Governor.
She cautioned young people against allowing politicians to exploit them for selfish interests, urging them to resist violence and contribute to peaceful electoral processes.
Farauta, who also represented Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, conveyed the governor’s message that the Chapel should serve as a unifying platform for Christians across denominations rather than promote the interest of any particular church.
Fintiri urged the congregation to sustain the Chapel’s spiritual activities, expressing hope that God’s presence would continue to guide the government and inspire efforts towards the development and peaceful coexistence of residents.
‘Adamawa belongs to all of us. We must all join hands to ensure that the state continues to move forward, while living together as one another’s keepers,’ he said.
In his remarks, former Governor Boni Haruna said the Chapel was established in 2005 to fulfil the original architectural design of the Government House complex, which provided for both a mosque and a chapel in recognition of religious equity and inclusion.
He said the facility was conceived to address the historical imbalance and reflect the inclusive vision of the Government House, expressing hope that it would remain a symbol of unity among residents, irrespective of religious differences.
Similarly, Boss Mustapha, chairman of the Chapel’s Board of Trustees, described the anniversary as a celebration of faith, perseverance, unity and God’s faithfulness.
Mustapha said the Chapel’s establishment reflected a vision sustained through prayers and divine providence, adding that its location within the seat of government underscored the importance of spirituality, moral responsibility and humility in public leadership.
He urged the Chapel’s leadership to preserve its ecumenical character while respecting religious diversity and constitutional freedoms.
Also speaking, Joel Manzo, the Adamawa chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said the Chapel was not established to compete with existing churches or replace denominations but to promote Christian faith and fellowship within the Government House.
Manzo urged Christian leaders to encourage their members to support the Chapel, stressing that denominational differences should strengthen rather than undermine Christian unity.
The celebration featured the presentation of awards to the First Lady, Governor Fintiri, founding fathers and former chaplains, as well as a fundraising exercise to support the Chapel’s activities and development