The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Thursday, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to inclusiveness, security, prosperity, and renewed hope.
Akume said the present government will continue to engage religious and community leaders across the nation in pursuit of peace and development.
He spoke at the Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA) Official Inauguration and investiture held at the Dominion Chapel International Church, Area 1, Garki, Abuja.
The theme of this year’s event was: The Role of Christian Leaders in Nation Building.
He added that the cooperation between the church, mosque, and government is crucial to nation-building.
Akume called on Christian northern leaders to continue to pray for President Tinubu to succeed.
He said, ‘You are the custodian of faith and an integral component of society that plays a vital role in shaping moral conduct and promoting social values of integrity, accountability, transparency, and hard work.
‘His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is striving very hard to revamp the economy through restructuring and gradual devolution of powers to the sub nationals. His policies are already yielding positive results as more money is periodically sent to states and local governments,’ the SGF said.
He also noted the favourable disposition of the president to inclusive governance, pointing out the even spread of key appointments and the execution of capital projects across all regions to engender inclusive growth and development.
‘This administration recognizes the existence of diversities that have lived on for decades, and Mr President is conscious about harnessing the positives to foster unity for a more prosperous nation,’ Sen. Akume added.
The SGF said, ‘There is no doubt that the theme of this retreat is both timely and relevant. Across history, the Church has not only been a sanctuary of worship but also a driver of education, health, social welfare, and moral values. In Nigeria, Christian leaders have played pivotal roles in serving the society, fostering peace, and speaking the truth to those in power.
‘All of you here did a great job. There’s no doubt about that. I come from a state that is 99% Christian. Your voice and your example carry weight in guiding communities towards peace, unity, justice, and righteousness. Today, Nigeria faces some challenges that are normal. Society is in transition. There are security problems. They are being handled.
‘Economic reforms are being celebrated across. On the right path, the youth bloc is handling the situation. We are on course to locate the programs for the youth in this country. These programs are unprecedented and remarkable. We need a stronger social cohesion. These challenges are being adequately addressed. Positive signs are already manifesting. In this regard, your role as Christian leaders is indispensable. You are called to promote peace and reconciliation.
‘Take advantage of youth development programs. Put in place a government that has already been raised. Quite frankly, look at the programs they have made. Look at the fact that they can also go to school without tears, without toil and sweat. First of its kind in Africa. You don’t have to be born to wealth and privilege before you have access to higher education, tertiary education.
‘Over 90 billion naira has already been disbursed. Let me tell you frankly, most of them are from the northern part of this country. You don’t have to be denied access. The money is there for you to access. Exemplify the change we desire in governance and the government. The whole thing about democracy, about the power of the people.
‘This government took off in very rough weather. Zero account in our reserves. What Tinubu did in Lagos, he is going to replicate the same. And that is basically what he is doing. There’s no doubt about that. Every president has toyed with the idea of the removal of subsidy. What was lacking was what? The courage to do so. But Tinubu removed the subsidy.
‘Again, you need to know the amount of money that is going to the states and to the local government. Huge. It is not that it is only the Federal Government that can feed the nation. All of us have the responsibility to do so. I speak from an advantageous position because I started from the grassroots. I am a village boy. Better days ahead of us’.
The Chairman of the Assembly, Archbishop John Praise Daniel, hailed President Bola Tinubu’s fair and inclusive appointments despite the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Daniel, who is also the Presiding Archbishop of Dominion Chapel International Churches, said the administration had dispelled fears of marginalization among Christians in the North.
‘We don’t feel sidelined. We feel part of this government. Without fear of intimidation, we can say this administration has allayed a lot of fears,’ he told journalists.
According to him, several roads and infrastructure projects in Abuja, including in Area 1 and Durumi, had been abandoned for decades but were now being fixed under Tinubu’s watch.
‘It is not about a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Every section must feel represented, needed, and important in this country. We give him kudos for that,’ Daniel stressed.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the cleric urged Northern Christians to act wisely.
He said voters should assess governments and political parties critically before making decisions, rather than relying on sentiments.
While praising the government’s infrastructural drive, he urged the Federal Government to prioritize security and food availability, which he described as ‘stomach infrastructure.’
‘They must do everything possible to ensure Nigerians can sleep with both eyes closed. The suffering and poverty are overwhelming, and the common man is struggling,’ he said.