Leadership is about sacrifice, not privilege — Akume

ABUJA — The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has said leadership is about sacrifice, service and contribution, rather than privilege and personal acquisition.

Akume spoke on Saturday at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, where the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) honoured him with its Christian Icon Award during the association’s Golden Jubilee celebration.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, the SGF said he had always regarded public office as an opportunity to serve the people.

He said his position as SGF came with enormous responsibilities, including contributing to the success of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and building a more prosperous, peaceful and united Nigeria.

“As Secretary to the Government of the Federation, I remain profoundly conscious of the enormous responsibility entrusted to me by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and of the duty to contribute to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda and to the building of a more prosperous, peaceful and united Nigeria,” he said.

Describing the award as a humbling affirmation of faith, integrity, compassion, sacrifice and service, Akume said he received the honour with gratitude and a renewed sense of responsibility.

“I am deeply humbled and profoundly honoured to receive the prestigious Christian Icon Award. I receive this award with great humility, gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility,” he said.

He noted that the award represented more than recognition of his contributions to public service, describing it as an affirmation of the enduring values that had guided his journey in public life.

Akume said he accepted the honour on behalf of his family, colleagues, associates and Nigerians he had served.

The SGF also commended CAN for its contributions to faith, peace, unity, moral values and national cohesion over the past five decades.

He said religious institutions had a critical role to play in promoting peaceful coexistence, tolerance, compassion and responsible citizenship, particularly as Nigeria and other countries faced complex challenges.

“For fifty years, CAN has remained an important voice. At a time when our nation, like many societies around the world, faces complex challenges, the responsibility of religious institutions to promote peace, tolerance, compassion and responsible citizenship has never been greater,” Akume stated.