Senator George Akume clocks 69 years today
By Anthony Maliki
He has no airs, yet he is held in high esteem. He is so humble, yet much exalted and has impacted on many people in such a manner that he is always by the side of those he doesn’t even know. But that is his nature and that is why he is revered across spectra of creed and class. In fact, Senator George Akume has grown beyond any sentiment whatsoever.
As a personality who has transverse many sections of society-his years in the civil service both at the state and federal government levels, his tenure as Executive Governor of Benue State, his inroads in the Senate and as Minority Leader and Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Akume no doubt is a politician of repute respected not only in Benue State but across Nigeria.
Born on December 27, 1953, Senator Akume is a deft administrator and proficient politician who hails from Wannune few kilometers along Makurdi-Gboko highway in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State. He is from the same local government named after the famous minority right crusader, Late Senator Joseph Sarwua Tarka.
Perhaps his education from his birthplace gave him a broader perspective in life and across cultures. Though he started his primary education at the then Native Authority school in Wannune from 1960 to 1966, he attended the former Government Secondary School, Otobi, now Model Science School, Otukpo, Benue State from 1967 to 1971 for his secondary education.
After that, in 1972, he proceeded to St. Louis College, Jos for his Advanced Level and later went to the prestigious University of Ibadan for his Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology graduating in 1978. He also obtained a Masters Degree in Industrial and Labour Relations (MILR) from the same Department and University in 1986. In order to horn his administrative skills, Senator Akume attended the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry in Lagos State where he obtained a Certificate in Management in 1988.
After an illustrious civil service career, he ventured into politics with the return to democratic governance by General Abdulsalam Abubakar regime in 1999 and was thus elected Governor of Benue State and inaugurated on May 29, 1999 serving two tenures to 2007. His regime no doubt brought peace, development and prosperity to the people of the state and can be attestable till date. This was achieved due to his administrative acumen and inclusiveness.
After his tenure as Governor, Senator Akume was elected into the Senate representing Benue North-West Senatorial District from June, 2007 to June, 2019. He was Minority Leader of the Senate from June 2011 – June, 2015. He was a ranking member of senate and at a point, chairman senate committee on army.
After he tenure in the Senate, he was nominated Minister on July 23, 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari. He was later assigned to the ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs.
A very humble man, Senator Akume is no doubt the topmost politician from Benue State having been in the thick of things since return to democracy in 1999. He has been unswerving unlike many others who have faded away. Senator Akume’s consistency is due to his carriage to take everybody along and giving people mentorship.
This can be seen at providing a level playing ground during the primary elections to chose the Benue State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of whom he is the leader in the state.
Though his insistence at making votes count and choice of the people is adhered to did not go down well with other politicians, he is steadfast in the will of the people.
Attaining 69 years, Senator Akume has definitely served his people and the nation well and more is to come if given the opportunity. He is a colossus in his own right and continue to be the political champion in Benue State. And most parts of the country. Happy birthday Georgie!
Maliki, Editor-in-Chief of Apex News Exclusive, wrote from Abuja