Photo: (Front Row) first left, SGF George Akume, second left, former Governor of Jigawa, Saminu Turaki, and extreme right, former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, at the colloquium in Makurdi, Benue State, to mark Akume’s 70th birthday.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, says he has reached the twilight of his political career and so he has no ambition to seek elective position in the future.
The SGF made this known while speaking at a colloquium/symposium organised to mark his 70th birthday celebration in Makurdi on Tuesday.
According to the former Governor of Benue, he is no longer getting younger, hence he will not seek any elective position in his lifetime after bowing out of office at the end of his tenure as SGF.
He said: “I have no ambition to run for election again. In 2031, I will be 78, no more.
“I have been a two term Governor, Senator for two terms, Minister and now Secretary to the Government of the Federation; So no more.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for finding him worthy to be part of his team, and assured that the Tinubu administration would make profound difference in the lives of Nigerians.
The SGF noted that Tinubu inherited a bad situation but he was fully prepared to take up the challenge, stressing that the government was doing everything to reduce poverty to the barest minimum.
“He has initiated programmes and policies that will impact the lives of Nigerians. Let’s just be patient.
“The government was inaugurated for 48 months but we have done about seven months and we still have a long way to go and I can assure you that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that will be soon.
“The future is bright, there is renewed hope. Our tomorrow will be better than today I can assure you that. Nations are great because the citizenry believe that tomorrow will be better than today,” Akume assured.
The SGF urged Nigerians to unite in diversity and harness their diversity for sustainable growth and development, adding that countries like the U.S were great because of their diversity.
The colloquium cum symposium, which also featured the display of cultural dances, and chaired by the immediate past Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, was attended by dignitaries like former Jigawa Gov Saminu Turaki, among others.
Periscope International reports that the main 70th birthday celebration of the former Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties under President Muhammadu Buhari will climax on Wednesday, Dec 27, with dignitaries expected from across the country.
