The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Dr. George Akume, has been honoured with the naming of a newly constructed international conference hall after him in Jos, Plateau State.

The state-of-the-art facility, known as the Senator George Akume Auditorium, is located within the North Central Zonal Coordinating Office of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. It was commissioned by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshen Yilwada, who was represented by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu.

Speaking at the event, Professor Yilwada described the project as a visible outcome of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which continues to deliver federal presence and development across all regions of the country.

He commended President Tinubu for his inclusive leadership, noting that both Senator Akume’s appointment as SGF and his own emergence as APC National Chairman underscore the North Central region’s growing strategic importance to Nigeria’s unity and economic growth.

“This auditorium named in honour of Senator George Akume is a fitting tribute to his lifelong dedication to public service and regional empowerment,” Yilwada said. “It stands as a symbol of partnership between government, industry, and the people — showing how purposeful leadership can deliver projects that outlive administrations.”

Yilwada also lauded the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, for expanding the frontiers of the blue economy, and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, for his visionary leadership.

In his remarks, Senator Akume expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing it as an unexpected honour for his years of service to Nigeria.

“When I was Governor of Benue State for eight years, I never named anything after myself. This came as a surprise, and I receive it with gratitude and humility,” he said.

The SGF emphasized that infrastructure remains a crucial driver of national growth, adding that the Tinubu administration is committed to improving trade and logistics systems to promote economic diversification.

“Infrastructure development is a national priority, not a choice,” Akume stated. “We must continue to build systems that promote ease of doing business, reduce logistics costs, and open new frontiers for trade and investment.”

Delivering the goodwill message of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Permanent Secretary Oloruntola Olufemi praised Senator Akume’s integrity and the Shippers’ Council’s dedication to national development, noting that the project aligns with the president’s vision for inclusive economic growth.

Other dignitaries at the event included Senator Sani Musa, Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, and Elder Yahaya Kwande, who all described the project as a major boost to the North Central’s logistics and commerce landscape.

Representing the Plateau State Governor, Deputy Governor Ngo Josephine Piyo congratulated the Shippers’ Council for the achievement and assured of the state government’s partnership to ensure the facility supports local trade and employment.

Earlier, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to President Tinubu’s blue economy agenda, thanking stakeholders for their collaboration and calling for sustained partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s export systems.

Traditional leaders and community representatives, including envoys from the Gbong Gwom Jos, also sent goodwill messages applauding the federal government’s focus on inland shipping and commerce in Plateau State.

The commissioning of the Senator George Akume Auditorium marks a key milestone in Nigeria’s drive for inclusive infrastructure development, regional trade integration, and the advancement of the blue economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.