From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has assured Nigerians that the country will become greater notwithstanding its present challenges as the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to deliver on it’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nigerians have been reassured by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume that the nation will become greater despite its current difficulties because President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to implement its Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a statement issued by Director of Information, Segun Imohiosen, the SGF gave the assurance in his address at a Birthday Colloquium/Symposium organised in his honour as part of activities to mark his 70th birthday in Makurdi where he appealed to Nigerians to pray for the country and to believe in the nation as the government is working tirelessly to address those challenges headlong.
Akume pleaded for time to allow government fix the current problems.
“I am appealing again that you pray for Nigeria, for it is the only country we have. No matter the difficulties, no matter the deficiencies, the future is bright, the renewed hope. Hope that tomorrow will be better than today and I assure you it is going to be better than today. Nations are great because its citizenry believes that tomorrow will be better than today. What about today?,” he said.
“It may be rough and tough. But when you have a very difficult problem, it takes time to get it addressed. You don’t treat them with kit gloves. I told people that difficult problems can not be solved as instant as coffee,” he said.
Akume thanked God for the preservation of life and President Tinubu for counting him worthy to be appointed as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to form part of his formidable team that will deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians.
He also thanked the good people of Benue State for their support in the last general election, which culminated in victory at the state and federal levels. While coveting their prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Alia and himself to enable them to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The SGF also stressed the need for unity and tolerance among our diversified ethnic and religious affiliations, saying Mr President believes in unity in diversity as exemplified in the appointments he has made so far.
He encouraged Nigerians to toe the same line for the progress of the country as he is confident that in our diversity lies our strength when it’s well managed.
The Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, who was represented by his deputy, Sam Ode described the SGF as a political colossus and a democratic patriarch who laid a solid foundation upon which the new Benue State is resting.
He also used the opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Akume, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He said that the Colloquium/Symposium will help foster good governance and political cohesion. He assured that the event will be an annual ritual in honour of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The Chairman of the 70th Birthday colloquium/ Symposium, Kashim Imam, described Akume as a gift not only to Benue State but to humanity at large.
He said Akume exemplified a detribalized Nigerian, a bridge builder, a philanthropist per excellence, and a unifier. He observed that the SGF was able to unify five communities in Benue State, which were hitherto existing separately divided, but was able to bring them together as a family.
He also thanked the President Akume as the SGF, describing him as a square peg in a square hole considering his wealth of experience.
The chair lady of the the Colloquium, Paulen Tallen, in her remarks, described Akume as a leader that everyone should be proud of; not only in Benue State and the North central geopolitical zone but the country at large.
The Colloquium/Symposium is part of the weeklong activities to mark the homecoming and birthday anniversary in honour of the SGF.