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Benue Declares October 4th Work-Free for Local Government Elections
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has officially declared Friday, October 4th, as a work-free day in preparation for the local government elections taking place on October 5th.
The announcement came through a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, on Thursday in Makurdi.
This move is designed to enable eligible voters to travel to their respective local government areas, ensuring they have the time and opportunity to participate fully in the election process.
Governor Alia emphasized the critical role of civic engagement in strengthening democracy and urged the citizens to seize this chance to make their voices heard at the local level.
The governor highlighted the significance of active involvement in the electoral process, expressing optimism that with widespread participation, the elections would run smoothly, fairly, and with the desired transparency.
He further called on both public and private sector organizations to align with this initiative, encouraging them to support their employees in taking part in the democratic exercise.
Governor Alia also stressed the importance of peaceful behaviour and cooperation throughout the election period.
He appealed to citizens, political parties, and stakeholders to prioritize unity and ensure that the process unfolds without disruptions.
By fostering a spirit of collaboration, he believes that the elections will not only be a success but will also strengthen the bonds of community and democracy within the state.
In his message, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful, free, and fair election.
He reiterated that this work-free day was a crucial step toward making sure that every eligible voter had the opportunity to cast their ballot without any obstacles, reinforcing the essence of civic responsibility.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to late Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs, recalling his contributions to the creative industry and his impact on Nigeria’s cultural identity.
In his tribute, Tinubu described Jacobs as a giant of the Nigerian creative industry and said “He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts. His remarkable body of work will continue to speak to generations yet unborn.
“The nation recognises the enormous contributions of Nigeria’s creative practitioners to the country’s cultural identity, global image and economic development. Olu Jacobs played a big role in creating this identity.”
Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs and consumer products in Nigeria.
Adeyanju also called for the removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, as well as the heads of other regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“Nigerians are being exposed to dangerous products daily, from fake and substandard medicines to unsafe consumer goods, with reports of drugs being sold wholesale in the open under the hot sun. No responsible government should expose its citizens to such risks and expect mortality rates not to rise.”
Adeyanju also called out NAFDAC over what he described as failures in regulating the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in the country.
It can be noted that various counterfeit products continue to circulate in Nigerian markets, while NAFDAC has also reported seizures and destruction of counterfeit, expired and substandard products.
Lagosians have lamented heavy traffic caused by ongoing construction work at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government announced that repairs on the damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge would begin on September 8, 2026. The project, initially scheduled to begin in August, was delayed to allow further traffic management planning due to concerns over its impact on motorists.
Since work began, traffic around the Kara area has become heavy, with Lagosians sharing updates on social media about spending two hours or more on the road.
Some commuters say the delays have made their 9-to-5 routines difficult, with several hours spent travelling to and from work.
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