By Miriam Humbe
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Sen. George Akume, has assured Nigerians that the country will become greater notwithstanding its present challenges as the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to deliver on it’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Director, Information in the SGF’s office, Segun Imohiosen revealed this in a statement signed on Wednesday.
The SGF gave the assurance in his address at the Colloquium/Symposium organised in his honour as part of activities to mark his 70th birthday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
He appealed to Nigerians to pray for the country and to believe in Nigeria as the government was working tirelessly to address those challenges headlong.
Sen Akume pleaded for time to allow government fix the current problems.
He said: “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? 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.”
Akume thanked God for the preservation of life and President Bola Ahmed 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 APC’s 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.
He said that Mr. President believed 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 was confident that in our diversity lies our strength when it’s well managed.
The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Sam Ode described the SGF as a political colossus and a democratic patriarch who laid a solid foundation upon which the new Benue State was resting.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Sen. George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Dr. Ode said that the Colloquium/Symposium would help foster good governance and political cohesion.
He assured that the event would be an annual ritual in honour of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The Chairman of the 70th Birthday colloquium/ Symposium, Dr. Kashim Imam, described Sen 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 divided, but was able to bring them together as a family.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Sen. George Akume as the SGF as he is a square peg in a square hole considering his wealth of experience.
Mrs Paulen Tallen, the Chairlady of the the Colloquium said that the SGF was 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 was part of the week-long activities to mark the homecoming and birthday anniversary in honour of the SGF.
