By Rhoda Godwin
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Saturday marked his 72nd birthday with a thanksgiving service held at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Gboko, Benue State.
The event attracted family members, associates, political leaders and well-wishers, and was notable for Akume’s first public appearance with his new wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh.
The development came barely 24 hours after a reported public confirmation of the marriage by a member of the Akume family, sparking widespread public interest.
Queen Zaynab has previously drawn public attention following her past marriage to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. She married the monarch on March 12, 2016, in Benin City, Edo State, before the union ended in August 2017.
In a statement issued after the thanksgiving service by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, Akume used the occasion to reiterate his commitment to good governance and national development.
According to the statement, the SGF stressed that accountability across the three tiers of government—federal, state and local—remains central to sustainable development in Nigeria.
“National development is a collective responsibility, requiring the synergy of all three tiers of government,” Akume was quoted as saying.
He urged public office holders at all levels to embrace transparency, cooperation and a shared sense of purpose in order to deliver meaningful progress to Nigerians.
The thanksgiving service concluded with prayers for peace, unity and continued development of the country, as well as goodwill messages to the celebrant on his new age and marital union.
