It’s Tough Job, Mustapha Tells Akume As New SGF Vows To Deliver

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, says the job of the SGF is a tough one.
Mustapha spoke after the swearing in of George Akume as the new SGF at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Mustapha advised Akume to brace up for the challenges ahead.
“This is a tough job; I wouldn’t want to mince words about that. It is an extremely important office in terms of coordination of government’s activities and also stringing government policies, programmes and projects,” Mustapha said.
“It is his responsibility to guide the government so, there is enormity. Under his office he has six permanent secretaries, so, it is a combination of five to six ministries in one place that will be reporting to him on different agencies.
“But the most important part of this office is the fact that he is the beam light of this government in terms of driving, coordination and policy formulation.
“So it is not a small job, but I am confident that he has been ably prepared and groomed for this job and I believe he will take the office a notch higher than where I am leaving it.”
Also speaking, Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, said he was elated that out of the 36 states, Benue was chosen to produce the SGF.
“I’m full of enormous joy. It is a factor of exaltation. Out of the many states, Benue is chosen and it’s one of our sons whom we are all proud of. We know his requisites; we know what he has offered in the past decades for the state and for the nation.
“We are very confident that he is again going to deliver and the nation is going to be proud that our choicest man for Benue is selected and sworn in for this great job”, he said.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has sworn in George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The swearing in ceremony took place at about 11:16 am on Wednesday at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Dignitaries, including serving and former governors, were in attendance as Akume took his oath of allegiance and oath of office.
Vice-President, Kashim Shettima; Senate President Ahmed Lawan; Governor of Kwara State; AbdulRahman Abdul Razaq, and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, were present at the brief ceremony.
Wife of the new SGF, Regina Akume, was also in attendance.
The President, on June 2, announced the appointment of Akume as the SGF and the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as his Chief of Staff.
A former Deputy Governor of Jigawa state, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia,was named Deputy Chief of Staff.
Akume served as minority leader of the Senate from June 2011 to June 2015.
He was governor of Benue State from 1999 till 2007 — the same period Tinubu governed Lagos.
Speaking with reporters after his inauguration, Akume said he will not let the country down.
“It is an honour to be chosen to serve in this exalted position out of over 200 million Nigerians. It is a challenge to serve in line with the oaths I have taken today,” he said.
“I assure Nigerians I will do my best and I will not disappoint the president.
“I will not disappoint this country; I will not disappoint my party.”
Akume added that Nigerians “will find fulfilment in my responsibility” as he discharges his duties.