President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, from day one in office, hit the ground running. He introduced some measures to tackle nagging national problems which include: fuel subsidy removal, signing the Students Loan Bill into law, suspension of a 5% tax on telecom services, import tax on vehicles, among others.
However, some Nigerians have said that since it takes a team to build a dream, for Tinubu’s government to function optimally, he needs to appoint credible and competent people in his cabinet. Already, there have been some commendations in his appointment of Senator George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.
Pundits said that Akume’s appointment is apt as it will enable the federal government have its policies and programmes monitored, coordinated, and implemented, and to effectively drive policy formulation in the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.
Speaking on people with proven capacity for expertise into the government, a public affairs analyst, Femi Ojo commended the appointment of Akume as the SGF describing him as the engine room of the federal government. He said, ‘‘The Office of the SGF is saddled with enormous responsibilities. It provides the President with strategic advice on policy matters, offers recommendations to facilitate informed decision-making, oversees the day-to-day operations and administration of the government, facilitates collaboration, resolves conflicts, and promotes the implementation of government policies across various MDAs.
‘‘SGF is responsible for organising Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings and interfaces the federal government with state governments or any subnational body. FEC is the highest decision-making body of the executive arm of government. These are no easy responsibilities; they require a tested hand like Akume to give these obligations the required bite.
‘‘Akume is a consummate servant-leader, administrator and politician. Before coming to the limelight, he rose steadily from the civil service ranks and held several important positions including chairmanships of LGAs, and head of directorates before bowing out of the civil service as a Permanent Secretary to vie for the governorship of the state. He was a two-term governor, three-term senator and a Minister of Special Duties under the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari and left each on a high note and has amassed the sophistication necessary to discharge the particularly important Office of the SGF.
George Akume, 70 years old, was born on May 27, 1953, and is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Akume holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the same institution. He has had a long and distinguished career in Nigerian politics, serving as the Governor of Benue State from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007.
Also, the Southern Youth Development Forum described the appointment of former Minister of Special Duties, George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation as a round peg in a round hole. Convener of the Forum, Pastor Bassey James, while commending President Tinubu for the appointment said the choice of the former governor of Benue State signalled the first time in the political history of the country appointments are shared equitably among the six regions of the country.
The Plateau State Elders Forum of All Progressive Congress (APC) also applauded Tinubu for appointing one of Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation. According to the elders, led by former governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye, they thanked Tinubu for appointing one of them.
In a congratulatory message, the Elders Forum thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Akume at the centre of his government.
“We sincerely thanked President Tinubu for appointing one of us from North-Central to serve in his cabinet as SGF. We are thankful for the opportunity given to us from North-Central. We are grateful and continue to pray and support your administration to succeed. We sincerely thanked Mr. President for the appointment well-deserved. As the Elders Forum of our party in Plateau State, we are grateful for the opportunity so far given to one of us from North-Central. Be reassured of our support always,’’ the statement read.
Meanwhile, a media group, Citizens Media and Development Network (CIMEDEN), has charged the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to remain steadfast and focused in the task of ensuring optimum implementation of public policies in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
The group, which comprises editors and policy experts, focuses on public policy, democracy and governance and media sector development advocacy.
In a statement issued by CIMRDEN programme officer, Mr Elijah Elims, after its Public Policy Review Meeting (PPRM) in Abuja yesterday, the group promised to support and partner with the SGF because “the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and its performance are central and very critical to the good governance and development of the country.”
