Senator (Dr) George Akume
EDUCATION
He had his Primary Education at the then Native Authority (NA) Primary School, Wannune (1960 -1966) and the former Government Secondary School, Otobi now Model Science School, Otukpo, Benue State (1967 – 1971) for his Secondary Education. George was at St. Louis College for his Advanced Level (1973), and thereafter proceeded to the Premier University, the University of Ibadan for his Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology (1978). He also obtained a Masters Degree in Industrial and Labour Relations (MILR) from the same Department and University (1986).
He was at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) where he obtained a Certificate in Management (1988). Senator George Akume commenced his working career as a Land Officer with the Benue State Civil Service after his successful completion of the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, 1978 – 1979 service year, during which he taught at the Advanced Teachers College, Jos (now College of Education) Akwanga, Nassarawa State.
WORKING CAREER
The honourable minister of Special Duties and Inter-Govermental Affairs has a steady progression in his career as a seasoned Administrator. He held several positions at various times; Assistant Secretary, Research and Policy Analysis (REPA) in the Governor’s office, Principal Secretary, under Secretary and Director of Personnel Management in 1994, he also handled several special assignments including Secretary/Chairman, white paper drafting committee, Secretary, Gboko Local Government Council, one of the most difficult Local Councils in Benue State, (1988-1989)Sole Administrator of Idah Local Government Council (now in Kogi State) (1989-1990).
George was also the Sole Administrator of Gboko Local Government Council (1991). He was also Director of Protocol, Government House, Makurdi, Benue State (1992). Between 1994–1995, he was on secondment at the Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos as Deputy Director. George became the Director-General (1996) and later, Permanent Secretary (Establishments and Management Services), a position he held until 1998, when he voluntarily retired from Public Service to participate fully in partisan politics.
POLITICAL CAREER (GOVERNOR AND SENATOR)
On entry into politics, Senator Akume registered as a member of the defunct Congress for National Consensus (CNC), one of the five registered political parties during the Sani Abacha’s transition to civilian rule programme, he sought the governorship ticket on that party’s platform. At inception of General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s regime, after the sudden demise of General Abacha on June 8, 1998, the new helmsman dismantled all political structures set up by the Late General and ordered the formation of new political parties.
The new dispensation afforded Senator Akume the opportunity to further realize his ambition in partisan politics. He actively participated in the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and contested election on the party’s platform, a victory that made him become the fourth Executive Governor of Benue State. He was re-elected for a second term in 2003. In 2007, Senator George Akume was elected into the National Assembly as a Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial District under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In 2011, Senator Akume moved to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to join hands with other progressive minds to change the socio-political and economic face of the nation; and was re-elected as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was subsequently elected Senate Minority Leader by the minority Caucus of the Senate. In 2015, Senator Akume was for the third term, elected as Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial District and was subsequently appointed Senate Committee Chairman on Army. In the buildup to the 2019 Presidential elections, Senator George Akume's excellence in service was acknowledged by President Muhammadu Buhari via his appointment as the Vice Chairman North of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
MINISTER OF SPECIAL DUTIES AND INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
On the 21st day of August, 2019 Senator (Dr) George Akume was sworn in and assumed duty as the Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari,GCFR.
Under this ministerial mandate, Senator George Akume is to assist the President in ensuring the proper, effective and efficient implementation and performance of all decisions and policies approved by the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria in the management and administration of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) of government as carried out the heads of such MDA’s with stated objectives and targets across the springboards of intergovernmental or inter-tier relations within the Nigerian federation.
Similarly, under the statutory responsibilities of the Honourable Minister is the provision for Mr. President to delegate and divest special authorities to Distinguished Senator George Akume to carry out General and Specific Duties(GSD) on behalf of the President and Commander In Chief (The C In-C) for the general purpose of good and smooth running of his administration and government.
SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
On June 7, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, appointed Senator (Dr) George Akume CON, Fnim, KSJI, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). In his capacity as SGF, Senator Akume is responsible for fostering federal-state government interactions, enhancing transparency, and providing advisory support to the president. Additionally, he oversees policy implementation and plays a key role in organizing Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings.
AWARDS
The distinguished Senator George Akume has been honoured with many awards including
- Most Distinguished Alumnus (MDA) of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association. Honour Awards by the Benue State and Rivers State branches of the UIA, and a life member UIAA,
- Distinguished Humanist Award
- Best Performing Governor of PDP Governors from the North Central Zone
- Patron of the Institute of Public Relations, Fellow of the Sociological Association of Nigeria
- CON (Commander of the Order of the Niger)
- Ambassador of Peace among others.
Senator George is also a recipient of the key to the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Senator Akume is a widely travelled man. He has visited the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Cuba. He has been to Ghana, South Africa, Jamaica, Israel, India, Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Mexico, Switzerland and Jamaica etc.