Tag: George Akume

The Federal Government has reiterated unwavering commitment to strengthening the nation’s security framework for lasting peace and stability.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made this assurance while receiving the leadership of the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria, also known as Tarayyar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi A Nigeria (TEKAN), led by its President, Rev. Joel Stephen Billi, in Abuja.

Akume emphasized the current administration’s resolve to revamp and reinforce the security architecture of the Armed Forces to address existing security challenges.

He acknowledged the contributions of former President Muhammadu Buhari but noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration had identified and tackled critical security gaps.

In a statement by Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, Akume said: “There is no way a government can function effectively, maximally, and efficiently without peace.

“That is why we put emphasis on peace. Since we took over, you know President Buhari has done a lot too, but there were areas left untouched.

“So it was the responsibility of the new Tinubu-led administration to move in headlong by increasing the firepower of the armed forces to ensure that peace is restored,” he said.

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The SGF also highlighted recent improvements in national security under President Tinubu’s leadership, citing the reclamation of local government areas previously occupied by Boko Haram insurgents as a testament to the administration’s proactive measures.

Akume commended the role of religious institutions in fostering national development, particularly in education, healthcare, and peacebuilding.

He assured TEKAN of the government’s readiness to collaborate with religious organizations in promoting peaceful co-existence and national development.

TEKAN President Rev. Joel Stephen Billi expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for signing the bill establishing the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) into law.

He also acknowledged the government’s distribution of palliatives to alleviate the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal.

However, he urged the administration to intensify efforts in improving security and expanding social welfare programmes to mitigate economic hardship.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, has assured that the federal government remains committed to advancing a digital-first approach to governance with a focus on aligning government vision for sustainable national development.

The SGF gave this assurance at the 2024 Nigerian GOVTECH Conference and Award organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in Abuja, with the theme: “Digital Innovation as a Catalyst for the Renewed Hope Agenda,” as he states that the program aligns with the administration’s ongoing efforts to reshape service delivery and establish an inclusive governance structure across the federation through digital innovation.

He added that “Nigeria lives in a world that is rapidly evolving, where technology is not just a tool but a catalyst for driving transformative change in how the government delivers its campaign promises. We therefore seek to modernise operations, streamline processes and create more transparent and efficient systems of the public service which is the engine for the delivery of government policies to better respond to the needs and aspirations of the citizens”.

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Speaking, the Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dasuki Arabi said the Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards is a reform initiative of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms aimed at bringing together government representatives at all levels, alongside key players in the technology industry, to discuss and identify ways in which new and emerging trends in ICT can be leveraged to transform public service delivery and enhance the overall well-being of Nigerians.

This forum, he said, serves as a unique platform for a diverse ecosystem of GovTech stakeholders—including participants from the public and private sectors, interest groups, Development Partners, Media, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and academia—to engage in policy discussions and practical implementation strategies that foster digital transformation and deliver a positive experience for citizens.

The Minister of Youths, Jamila Ibrahim Biu, said the youths are the driving force behind innovation in the digital realm. Young people are the catalysts for innovation. Every change is driven by digital technology. “We are well-equipped to harness this potential, as we are often more familiar with the latest tools and technologies”.

She said the focus should be on how the government can positively impact the lives of young people. “The government has engaged with various sectors, including road safety and correctional services, and is committed to working collaboratively to promote genuine reform.

The Caretaker Chairman of Guma Local Government, Hon. Unongu Simon, has suspended the thanksgiving service organised in honour of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Dr. George Akume, in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The thanksgiving service was to be followed by a grand reception.

The Guma Council boss, Hon. Unongo in a wide radio announcement, advised the NKST Church, Daudu, where the event was scheduled to hold to cancel it for security reasons, until security situation in the area improved.

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The statement further advised those who wished to hold such functions to write and get approval from the office of chairman of the local government.

However, the organisers of the thanksgiving church service have vowed to proceed with the church service and grand reception, despite the cancellation order.

Lazarus Asema, who is a member of the Central Planning Committee, wrote on his Facebook wall that “the venue and time for the church service remain NKST Church Daudu and it also remains unchanged.”

Daudu is about 30 minutes drive from Makurdi, and most of its inhabitants are Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, occasioned by herdsmen attacks on farming communities. 

The federal government said that it has embraced Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure development and delivery especially in the agriculture sector to ensure national food security and economic growth in Nigeria.

Just as the federal government disclosed it approved 103 Public Private Partnership projects worth N20 trillion between 2010 and 2023.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, stated this on Wednesday, June 26, during the second quarter 2024 Nigeria PPP Network meeting held in Minna, Niger state.

Akume expressed high hopes that PPPs will become the primary tool for socio-economic development in the country emphasizing that PPPs in infrastructure delivery, especially in the agriculture sector will address the challenges of climate change, dwindling revenue, security issues, and food security concerns.

“Given the impact of climate change, dwindling revenue, challenges in the security sector and several other factors threatening food security not just in Nigeria but also in other parts of the world. Agriculture has become a priority sector for urgent development for governments. This is even more compelling because of our growing population.

“For the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has already declared a state of emergency on food security, there is a significant need to invest heavily in the improvement of food production and food security in Nigeria.

“As a demonstration of this commitment, the President through the Federal Executive Council, recently approved the implementation of the Green Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Development Program under a PPP arrangement. The details will be unveiled by the Minister of Agriculture”, he said.

The SGF who was represented by the Director in the SGF office, Simon Tyuugu, called on state governments to structure viable PPP models to enable and ease private sector participation in infrastructure delivery, pointing out that the government alone cannot finance all programs and projects, especially with the shift from oil to non-oil revenue.

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“Public Private Partnership (PPP) is an infrastructure procurement method that can be deployed readily to reduce the strain on States’ fiscal spending thereby making them able to allocate fiscal savings to other developmental projects.

“In this light, the federal government commends this forum which brings sub-national entities together to share knowledge and experience the successful implementation of PPPs in upscaling infrastructure deficits in our dear country”, he said.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago in his address stated that 95 per cent of the projects going on in Niger state is PPP based adding that the state has gone head-on to engage with private investors for the infrastructural development of the state.

Bago who was represented by the Head of Service, Abubakar Salisu said that Niger state will continue to seek partnership and collaboration with the private sector especially in the area of agricultural development.

“Niger state has actively engaged in agriculture revolution through PPP as a means of bringing prosperity to the people. We have no problem with funding and the PPP arrangements we have entered into have been 100 per cent successful.”

The Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Micheal Ohiani said that between 2010 to 2023, the federal government had approved 103 PPP projects worth N20 trillion adding that there are 95 post-contract PPP projects at different stages of the implementation phase while 152 pre-contract projects are still at different development and procurement stages.

Ohiani said that the ICRC has issued 199 Outline Business Compliance Certificates to different MDAs confirming viability and bankability to proceed to the procurement phase while 116 Full Business Case Compliance Certificates were issued to different MDAs to obtain FEC approval to sign PPP contracts.