Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has said that Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is undergoing bold reforms designed not for temporary relief but for lasting transformation.

Speaking on Sunday at an inter-denominational church service held at the National Ecumenical Christian Centre, Abuja, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Akume urged Nigerians to support the government’s ongoing efforts to drive national development.

He said the sacrifices citizens are making today are paving the way for economic renewal, stronger institutions, and improvements across key sectors, including food security, energy, healthcare, education, job creation, and infrastructure.

“Governance is a shared responsibility between government and citizens, not the exclusive preserve of leaders,” Akume stated.

He acknowledged that the challenges facing the country are deep-rooted but stressed that the administration is determined to confront them head-on. Independence Day, he noted, should be seen as more than a remembrance of history but also as a renewal of national purpose.

The SGF emphasized the need for patience and constructive engagement from citizens, assuring that the Tinubu administration is committed to transparency, integrity, and accountable leadership.

“This is the moment to rekindle our national spirit, transform challenges into opportunities, and drive forward with hope grounded in action,” he said.

Delivering the sermon, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, called for greater unity among Nigerians. He said the country could become a global force if its citizens worked together and with their leaders.

“We can be more united, better united. We can become, if you permit me, the United States of Nigeria and be a great force to be reckoned with in the nations of the world,” Oke said.

He described this year’s theme, “The Power of Unity in Building a Great Nation,” as both timely and prophetic, urging Nigerians from all regions to see themselves as brothers and sisters and to work collectively for progress.

The service was attended by top government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and religious leaders.