The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, hosted the Forum of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Secretaries to the Government of States (SGSs) as they converged in Jos for their second quarterly meeting since the inauguration of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
Declaring the forum open, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, set the tone for the gathering themed “Understanding the Dynamics and the Roles and Functions of Secretaries to the Government of States.”
“There is no gainsaying that the Secretary to the Government is the engine room of all government operations,” Senator Akume remarked. He highlighted their central responsibilities, including policy coordination, cabinet affairs management, intergovernmental and inter-ministerial collaboration, institutional memory, and continuity in advisory roles.
Underscoring the need for innovation in governance, he urged participants to embrace technology in policy management:
“The complexity of governance today demands that we adopt digital tools for tracking, analysis, and communication. Citizens are now more enlightened, connected, and demanding, and our policies must reflect transparency, responsiveness, and inclusivity.”
Senator Akume also emphasized the SGF’s duty in safeguarding national interests, calling on members of the forum to take proactive roles in security coordination, harmonized policy implementation, and alignment of sub-national governance with the Federal Government’s development agenda.
In his address, Governor Mutfwang warmly welcomed the delegates and affirmed the weight of their office, describing the positions of SGF and SGSs as “a very critical melting pot in the government structure.” He stressed the importance of integrity in governance, saying:
“This is an appointment of trust, a sacred responsibility. You must not mislead the chief executive because posterity will judge all the actions or inactions of government.”
The Governor further called for unity beyond political divides, urging that governance must remain the central priority after elections. “I therefore believe wholeheartedly in supporting the initiatives of Mr. President under his Renewed Hope Agenda,” he declared.
Governor Mutfwang expressed optimism that the deliberations would yield outcomes capable of strengthening governance delivery nationwide.
The meeting was strategically designed to deepen collaboration, reinforce the SGF and SGS framework, and solidify their role as the backbone of effective governance in Nigeria.
