George Akume George Akume was born on 27 December 1953. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a master's degree in Labour Relations from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
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 Corp (NYSC) Scheme, 1978 – 79 service year, during which he taught at the Advanced Teachers College, (Now College of Education) Akwanga, Nassarawa State.
He held several positions at various times in the civil service which include: assistant secretary, research and policy analysis (REPA) in the governor’s office, principal secretary, undersecretary, and director of personnel management in 1994.
George Akume also handled several special assignments including secretary/chairman, white paper drafting committees, secretary Gboko local government council, one of the most controversial local Councils in Benue State; Sole administrator of Idah Local Government Council, (Now in Kogi State), and Gboko Local Government Areas. He was also Director of Protocol, at Government House, Makurdi, Benue State.
Between 1994 – 1995, he was on secondment at the Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos as Deputy Director. George became the Director–General in 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.
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 Sani Abacha’s transition to the civilian Rule Programme, he sought the governorship ticket on that party’s platform.
After General Abdulsalami Abubakar abolished all the political parties formed under General Sani Abacha following the death of Abacha, George Akume joined Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
George Akume was elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Executive Governor of Benue State in 1999. Under the same party, he won reelection as Benue State Governor in 2007. In 2007, Akume became the first Governor of Benue State to serve the state for eight years.
In 2011, he defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria, a progressive party where he contested and won the Benue North-West Senatorial seat. He was the Senate minority leader between 2011 and 2015.
In 2015, he was reelected to the Senate by his senatorial district and served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Army, this make him a very powerful and high-ranking House member.
In 2019, he lost his senatorial seat and he was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari as a Minister of Special Duties and inter-governmental Affairs.
On June 2nd, 2023 George Akume was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
George Akume became Governor of Benue State in 1999 at the age of 45. George Akume was first elected into the Senate in 2007 at the age of 53. He was reelected to the Senate until he was 65.
At the age of 65, George Akume became Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a position he held till he was 69.
At 69, George Akume was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He has never stepped out of the corridor of power since 1999.
Category: World-News
Tag: About George Akume
Written by Omooba Alekuwodo (omoobaalekuwodo)
Published 6/2/2023 8:42:49 PM