George Akume: Things You Need To Know About Tinubu's SGF

George Akume, a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Benue North West Senatorial District has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Akume is a popular name in the scheme of things in Benue politics as he was a close associate of Buhari's administration, something the then state governor, Samuel Ortom did not enjoy.

Until his appointment, Akume was the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on August 21, 2019, a position he held till the end of the administration.

Below are things you need to know about George Akume

Personal Life

Akume was born on December 27, 1953, in Wannune village, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.

The above is a place named after the famous minority right crusader, Late Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka.

He is married to Regina Akume a political figure in the state also.

Education 

Akume had his Primary Education  at the then Native Authority (N.A) Primary School at his birth place (1960 – 66) and the former Government Secondary School, Otobi now Model Science School, Otukpo, Benue State, (1967 – 71).

For his Secondary Education. George was at St. Louis College for his Advanced Level (1972), and there after 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 Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) where he obtained a Certificate in Management (1988).

Career

Before his foray into Nigerian politics, Akume worked in the Benue State civil service and rose to the position of Permanent Secretary.

After the return to democracy in 1999, Akume contested in the governorship elections, winning on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He successfully ran for re-election in 2003 for a second term in office still on the PDP platform.

After his second tenure as the Governor of Benue State, Akume, contested for the senatorial seat of Benue North West Senatorial District in the 2007 National Assembly elections and won.  

In 2015, following the merger of the  ACN and some other parties in Nigeria to form the ALL Progressives Congress (APC), Akume contested again for the senatorial position of Benue North West with the ticket of the APC and was again successful.

He was also elected under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Benue North West senatorial district.

He then became the Minority Leader of the Senate from June 2011 to June 2015.

The former governor was the Chairman Senate Committee on Army during his political period in the Red Chamber.

In 2019, he lost his senatorial seat to Senator Orke Jev of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He is married to Regina Akume with children.