Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), Sen. George Akume, has assured Nigerians that in spite of the present challenges, they will laugh as the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to deliver on its Renewed Hope Agenda.
He gave the assurance in Markudi his address at a birthday colloquium/symposium organised in his honour as part of activities to mark his 70th birthday.
He appealed to Nigerians to pray and believe in the country, saying the government would work tirelessly to address those challenges headlong.
“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 kid gloves. I told people that difficult problems cannot be solved as instant as coffee,” Akume said.
He thanked 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.
The SGF also stressed the need for unity and tolerance among the country’s 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, 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 is resting.
He also used the opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Akume as the SGF.
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 existing separately divided, but was able to bring them together as a family.
