The Southern Youth Development Forum has described the appointment of a former Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) as an indication of equity in the country.
President Bola Tinubu, on June 2, named Akume as the 21st SGF.
Convener of the Forum, Pastor Bassey James, while commending Tinubu for the choice, said it was the first time in the appointments were shared equitably among the six regions of the country.
James, who doubles as the founder of the Royal House of Faith, Lekki, Lagos, described the new SGF as a detribalised Nigerian political leader.
According to him, Akume who represented Benue North-west senatorial district from 2007 to 2019, understands the workings of both the executive and the legislature and this, he said, would help in the discharge of his responsibilities.
He advised Akume to “have a nationalistic spirit and carry everybody along because what we are discussing now is a Nigeria project which we cannot afford to fail.
“We don’t want to have a regional bloc that will superintend over the entire country. I know Akume is well experienced. He has been in government for many years and he is a committed Nigerian who has value, integrity to enhance the unity of Nigeria.
“As the SGF, Senator Akume is the engine-room of President Tinubu’s administration. He will develop policies and direct affairs. He is saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring and coordinating the implementation of government policies and programs; serving as the frontline advisory institution of the Presidency; driving policy formulation, and harmonization, as well as implementation; and monitoring of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Knowing his competence, I have no doubt in my mind he will deliver.
“But I want him to accommodate every Nigerian without bias. We don’t want an SGF that will promote regional affiliation and interests of some political leaders. He should see Nigeria as one. We want to see Nigeria move forward in the next months. The president has started well with the appointment of the SGF and other appointments that have been made.”
Commenting on the alleged disaffection and disunity among allies of the SGF and Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, the clergy said this was no time to distract the new SGF.
He said: “As a former governor in Benue State, Akume has been instrumental to the emergence of all his successors since 2007. It is a fact the role he played in the emergence of Father Hyacinth Alia, as the governor of the state. The Benue governor is a clergy. Some of the things I have been reading about squabbles and friction in the state are not encouraging. I am a pastor as well. If you come into government, you look at issues that will promote love, unity and progress and not raising issues that are of no benefit to anybody.
“We don’t want anything that will give us setback. We want to move Nigeria, Benue and other states of the federation forward. Benue State today is in need of total change. Benue state needs a visionary leader that can build and bring back the agricultural revolution that the state is known for.
“This is no time to breeding political enemies. If there are issues, you don’t need to come on Television stations to raise such. We want good governance. The state governor should carry everybody along because Jesus preaches love and unity.”
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