*Photo: SGF George Akume*
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a true democrat whose commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy is demonstrated by his respect for the independence of the electoral process by ensuring democratic institutions operate freely without undue influence.
Senator Akume, who made the commendation while on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement on Thursday in Abuja, commended President Tinubu for his decision not to interfere in the electoral process, describing it as a demonstration of the President’s commitment to democratic principles.
“The President never bothered to intervene in the electoral process that was recently concluded in Osun State. That is what democracy should be about. It is way better than what used to happen in the past,” the SGF stated.
Akume said President Tinubu’s approach to governance reflected a leader who was determined to strengthen democratic institutions while simultaneously undertaking reforms aimed at rebuilding the Nigerian economy. He noted that the achievements of the administration were visible across several sectors, including taxation, education, healthcare and women empowerment.
He highlighted the ongoing reforms towards a unified tax system, describing them as part of efforts to create a more efficient and transparent fiscal environment. In the education sector, he cited interventions through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), while noting the opening of more specialised hospitals as evidence of progress in healthcare delivery.
According to the SGF, Nigeria is a vast country blessed with people of diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, stressing that the nation’s diversity and pluralism should be harnessed as a source of strength rather than allowed to become a source of division.
“This is a huge country with diverse people. We should not turn this diversity and pluralism into negativity. We should use these to build our country in a positive way,” he said.
The SGF said the Federal Government has made significant progress in its efforts to move the country forward, adding that President Tinubu was discharging his constitutional mandate with distinction across critical sectors of the economy.
He cited developments in agriculture, water resources and other strategic sectors as evidence of the administration’s commitment to national development, noting that the President remained focused on building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
Senator Akume also pointed to the administration’s commitment to women empowerment and other programmes designed to create opportunities, improve livelihoods and promote inclusive national development.
He described the movement as critical to the country’s progress and called on its members to remain committed to the ideals of national development and effective communication.
“Never look back and don’t allow anyone to deceive you. You are adequately positioned to communicate the achievements of this administration to the people,” he said.
The SGF urged Nigerians to support initiatives that promote national unity, development and democratic consolidation, stressing that the time had come for citizens to focus on building the country rather than dwelling on divisions.
He commended the members of the movement for what he described as their commitment to the Nigerian project, assuring them that their efforts were contributing to the broader objective of building a stronger nation.
“You are doing the right thing. We love our country. This is the time to begin to build and it is precisely what you are doing. This is our country,” Senator Akume said.
The SGF therefore called for sustained support for the administration’s reform agenda, emphasising that Nigeria’s diversity, democratic institutions and abundant human and natural resources could be harnessed to build a more prosperous, united and resilient nation.
In his welcome remarks, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Shoga Francis, expressed profound appreciation to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, for visiting its National Headquarters, describing his presence as a demonstration of his commitment to engaging young Nigerians and grassroots stakeholders in the collective task of building a stronger, united and prosperous Nigeria.
While re-affirming its commitment to the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Shoga assured that the Movement is determined to expand its grassroots mobilisation structures across the 36 states of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory and its diaspora structures, particularly by mobilising young Nigerians towards greater participation in the democratic process and support for the administration.
“As a movement, we are determined to work tirelessly across the 36 states of the federation, the FCT, and our diaspora structures to mobilise Nigerians, particularly young people, towards a decisive and overwhelming victory for Mr President in the 2027 general elections. In doing so, we have decided to mobilise 10 million young Nigerians through our membership drive, which we will be demonstrating”, he averred.
He disclosed that the Movement plans to mobilise 10 million young Nigerians through an extensive membership drive, noting that the initiative was aimed at establishing a broad-based network of young Nigerians capable of engaging communities and communicating the policies, programmes and achievements of the administration. He added that its objective goes beyond electoral mobilisation, as it seeks to build a sustainable grassroots structure that will promote citizen engagement, communicate government achievements, address public concerns and encourage informed and responsible participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The Director-General further said it would continue to strengthen membership registration and expand its presence to the ward and polling-unit levels, while engaging communities across the country and promoting national unity, peaceful mobilisation and responsible democratic participation. He also expressed its determination to mobilise support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ultimate objective of delivering what it described as a massive and historic electoral mandate for the President.
Highlight of the meeting was the conferment of the Chairperson, Advisory Council of the City Boy Movement on the SGF by the management of the Movement in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the Renewed Hope Agenda and his commitment to engaging youths in nation building,