*Senator George Akume.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has called on religious leaders to make peacebuilding, social cohesion and responsible communication integral to efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security.
Akume made the call on Wednesday at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 12th Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.
The SGF said religious leaders, given their influence and reach across communities, had an important role to play in promoting national unity, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
He said the Federal Government deeply valued the prayers and humanitarian contributions of the Church, as well as its role in promoting peace, national cohesion and moral values.
Speaking on the economy, Akume acknowledged the hardship associated with the ongoing reforms of the administration, commending Nigerians for their patience, patriotism and resilience.
“Government recognises the fact that these reforms come with some inevitable pains and that Nigerians have significantly endured. We commend our citizens for their patriotism and resilience and assure them that it would never be in vain as promised by the President,” he said.
According to him, although reports from the World Bank indicate improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability, the government is now placing greater emphasis on translating those gains into tangible improvements in the lives of households.
“This government is focusing on recovery of household incomes from poverty and will never relent until when reform succeeds and translates to affordable food, jobs, better infrastructure, health services and dignity for the ordinary citizen. That is where Renewed Hope Agenda truly lies,” the SGF stated.
Akume explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to reduce hardship, create opportunities, simplify the fiscal system and provide relief for vulnerable Nigerians and businesses.
He added that the government was expanding interventions in education, healthcare, social protection and community resilience.
He said the administration would continue “to keep listening; to correct what needs correction; to protect the vulnerable; to strengthen accountability; and to ensure that the benefits of reform are increasingly felt across the Federation.”
On national security, the SGF said the country had recorded some encouraging intelligence-led breakthroughs, including the rescue in August of 308 abducted persons from Kwara and Niger states.
He, however, acknowledged that significant security challenges remained, as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and other forms of criminal violence continued to affect communities.
“We have recorded encouraging intelligence-led breakthroughs, including the rescue in August of 308 abducted citizens from Kwara and Niger States. But the work remains ongoing because terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflict and criminal violence continue to wound families and communities,” he said.
Akume stressed that national security should not be left solely to the military, police and intelligence agencies.
“National security cannot be the responsibility of soldiers, police officers and intelligence agencies alone. Security also begins with trust, social cohesion, early warning and responsible speech,” he said.
He therefore urged the Church to assume a greater role in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
“Religious leaders occupy a very important intersection in the prevention and management of these issues because they are recognised influential social mobilisers and actors in peace building. The Church must therefore see peace building as part of national security,” Akume said.
With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the SGF urged the bishops to use their positions to promote peaceful democratic participation and protect the nation’s unity.
He reminded them that political contests were temporary, while Nigeria remained a permanent national project.
“Elections will come and go, but Nigeria must remain. As Charismatic Bishops and fathers of faith, you have a decisive role to play, not in determining the winner, but in helping to ensure that Nigeria does not lose,” he said.
Akume urged the bishops to encourage peaceful and conscientious participation in the electoral process while speaking out against vote-buying, hate speech and the weaponisation of ethnic and religious identities.
He also cautioned religious leaders against using the pulpit to inflame political tensions.
“I urge you to please refrain from turning the pulpit into an instrument of incitement instead of the sanctuary of conscience. An election is a contest for office; it must never become a war for survival,” he said.
The SGF further challenged the Synod to explore stronger collaboration between the Church and government in areas such as youth empowerment, education, peacebuilding, civic responsibility and humanitarian services.
He said government needed the moral influence and social reach of religious institutions, while the Church required an enabling environment to effectively carry out its responsibilities.
“Government needs the moral reach of the Church and the Church needs an enabling civic environment to thrive. Above all, Nigeria needs both, to work perfectly, for the common good,” Akume said.
Concluding his address, the SGF expressed appreciation for the prayers and partnership of the Church, stressing that a government committed to listening must also be prepared to learn, make corrections and improve its policies.
He prayed for divine guidance for the bishops and peace for Nigeria before declaring the 12th Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria open.