Sometime, early last year, I received an invitation to attend a Mass in the home of Senator Dr George Akume, who was then Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, to thank God for one of his children who had just been promoted in his place of work. The appreciative Catholic family felt that a prayer Mass, with thanksgiving to boot, was the route to go. Honchoing the session to ensure that everything went well was Regina Akume, wife of George Akume. Like an archetypical materfamilias, she played the role of an usher. Although she was subtle about it, I could see her firmness to rein in anyone who was acting in ways that were likely to disrupt the Mass. Her body language, especially eye contacts, was deployed in its vast flourish to achieve requisite quietude as the Reverend Father conducted the Mass.
I watched as George Akume sat quietly beside his wife. I could see in his eyes, satisfaction, and perhaps joy, at the supportive role Regina was playing on the occasion to ensure the success of the Mass. The Mass was successful and immediately it was over, after some short exchange of pleasantries, the man of the house- in his characteristic fashion, quietly retired into his room, ostensibly to catch some more rest that Sunday morning. George Akume is a happy man who invests in the business of making people around him happy. He has consistently demonstrated this with the support of his wife, whose motherly disposition underpins the effusiveness of empathy and generosity that flow from the conclave of the Akumes to their significant others and humanity. George Akume, popularly referred to as “The Just George”, and Regina Akume are happy with expanding the frontiers of the common good.
According to Daniel Boone, the notable American pioneer and frontiersman whose exploits made him one of the first legendary US folk heroes, “All you need for happiness is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife.” Balanced on the coveted seat of the frontline “advisory institution” of the Presidency, driving policy formulation, harmonization and implementation of governance, urbane George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, is certainly a happy man because he has a good wife in the resplendent former Benue State First Lady, who would later in the 2023 general election receive the mandate of the people of Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency of the State to represent them in the National Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Now, before I proceed any further explicating the essential Regina Akume, let us go back to Boone. As to whether the SGF, George Akume, possesses a good gun and a good horse, Boone’s other prescriptions for the good life, is debatable. While horses play pretty little role in Tiv mythology, guns are tools a man so minded can always acquire within the law. But one thing is clear: Regina Akume has proved over the years that she is indeed a jewel of inestimable value and a powerful anchor for the astute Benue politician’s uncommon progressive, socio-political trajectory.
According to former American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Regina Akume certainly believes very strongly in the beauty of her enduring dreams. This has largely guided her existential journey. In the House of Representatives, she intends to bridge the development gap of the good people of Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency by encouraging human capital development as well as the protection of basic freedoms and fundamental rights of her constituents, and increased roles for women and youths in governance.
Her ascendancy into the political realm of the House of Representatives is predicated on the strong conviction that her constituents need a progressive shift towards improved quality and effective representation in the national parliament. Therefore, it cannot be disputed that having worked closely as well as engaged diverse stakeholders as First Lady, she is clearly committed, equipped and conversant with the knowledge, experience, and dynamics of an efficient grassroots representative leadership.
As a former First Lady of Benue State, the central kernel of her philosophy was to empower the women and youth of the state as well as influence the provision of critical rural infrastructure, basic health care facilities and basic education to the state’s underprivileged. Her election to the House of Representatives therefore gives her another critical opportunity to galvanize the prospects and chances of a better life for the good people of Benue State, particularly, the folks of Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency.
Regina Akume’s vision and blueprint for the Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency are principally anchored on enhancing rational development principles of inclusivity, accountability, and transparency as core values in a representative government. Navigating with discipline, integrity and faith, many believe that the striking presence of Regina Akume in the House of Representatives will certainly nudge and inspire other Nigerian women to step up and push more strongly for inclusion into the nation’s legislative political space where they are very much under-represented.
In retrospect, Regina Akume had worked in several, different public and private sector organizations in and out of Nigeria, with proven track records of uncommon achievements and credible attestations to her sterling performance, integrity, trust and sincerity of purpose in engaging tasks and responsibilities. She had dared to dream in a milieu where women were and, perhaps still (erroneously) are required to carry a handbag, wear a lipstick and speak gently; where a departure from this quirky footing is severely frowned at. But Regina Akume is not a conventional woman. She had always craved and conceived projects targeting promotion of women’s participation in every area of human endeavour, especially in the socio-economic and political spheres, particularly as First Lady in Benue (1999-2007). She remains a powerful voice and untiring shepherdess of the less privileged. Now a federal legislator, she can deploy the transformational power of lawmaking in the sphere of advancing the cause of the nation and humanity at large.
Regina Akume was born in December 1, 1955 and hails from Mbakor in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State. A notable woman leader in her constituency and across Benue State, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities from the University of Minnesota, USA, specializing in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. She earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, MPA from the Benue State University, Makurdi. She is also awaiting the award of a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education, PGDE, which related academic work, has been done.
She is happily married to Dr George Akume, the SGF, a great son of Mbakor and one of the major pillars of the Tiv nation and Nigeria’s democracy. Their union is blessed with children. As she marks her birthday on December 1, a grateful national parliament, state and nation share in the meaning of both the milestone and the implications of her ascendancy as one of the fourteen women Rep members.
Perhaps the poetic insight of Harriet Tubman best captures the essence of Hon. Regina Akume’s trajectory: “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Happy birthday to a jewel and trailblazer: Hon. Chief (Mrs) Regina Mbavekumtor Akume, JP, KSJI, fnim. May the good Lord bless both the years in your life and the life in your years. Celebrations galore!
● Mr Ojeifo, MNGE, journalist and mediapreneur, sent in this tribute via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com
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