News
NAFDAC: Why Senate Ban Sachet Alcohol
The Senate has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory bodies to enforce, without compromise, the ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets beginning December 2025.
The lawmakers insisted that no further extension beyond the current moratorium would be permitted, saying the industry must comply with the agreed deadline.
Naija News reports that the resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who urged the upper chamber to halt fresh attempts by some manufacturers to seek another extension.
Leading the debate, Senator Ekpeyong reminded the Senate that NAFDAC had introduced the phased ban after extensive consultations and in line with global best practices.
He noted that in 2018, key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and industry associations, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding committing to the gradual phase-out of sachet alcohol.
He explained that the agreement was driven by rising public health concerns.
The affordability and portability of sachet alcohol had made it easily accessible to children, teenagers, commercial drivers and other vulnerable groups, fuelling addiction, risky behaviour and long-term health complications.
Ekpeyong recalled that even after the initial deadline had elapsed, the Federal Government granted a one-year moratorium in 2024 to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock and transition to safer packaging options. That extension shifted the deadline to December 2025.
The lawmaker expressed strong concern that as the deadline approaches, some manufacturers are lobbying for yet another extension. He described the move as an attempt to undermine regulatory authority and a direct threat to public health.
According to him, the continued circulation of high-strength alcoholic beverages in sachets is worsening youth addiction, contributing to reckless road accidents, enabling school dropouts and fuelling domestic violence and other social problems.
He warned that Nigeria cannot continue to normalize the widespread abuse of cheap alcohol simply because it is readily available in sachets.
After deliberations, the Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Health to clear any obstacles preventing NAFDAC from carrying out full enforcement of the ban.
The lawmakers stressed that the regulatory agency must not be hindered by bureaucratic delays or political interference.
They also urged the Ministry of Health to expedite the release of the National Alcohol Policy, which is expected to formally outlaw the sachet packaging of high-strength alcoholic beverages.
According to the Senate, the policy will provide a clear framework for nationwide sensitisation and help guide communities on the dangers of sachet alcohol.
The Senate stressed that the health and safety of Nigerians must take priority over commercial interests.
News
Nigerian Gov Announces Fresh Public Holiday for Workers Across State
The Ekiti State Government has declared Friday, June 19, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state.
Naija News reports that the government said the holiday was to enable workers to travel to their respective voting centres ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary to the Head of Service, Janet Ajibola.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has graciously declared Friday, 19th June, 2026, as a work-free day for all public servants across the state,” the statement read.
Ajibola said the directive was addressed to commissioners, special advisers, the Secretary to the State Government, permanent secretaries, the Clerk of the House, heads of tertiary institutions, the Registrar of the High Court of Justice, general managers, executive secretaries and heads of departments.
“For the purpose of public safety and continuity of essential services, hospitals and health centres, fire service departments and other essential service providers are exempted and shall continue to provide appropriate services,” the statement added.
The Permanent Secretary urged heads of exempted essential institutions to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the election period.
She also directed chief executive officers and accounting officers across state parastatals to ensure compliance and wide circulation of the directive.
News
BREAKING: Mixed Reactions as Tinubu Announces Fresh Appointment
The news of Kunle Elebute by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). has started generating reactions from Nigerians.
Kunle Elebute, a renowned chartered accountant and financial management consultant, as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).
This was disclosed in a statement by the presidency on Thursday, June 18, adding that his appointment, adding that his appointment was meant to strengthen corporate governance, deepen accountability and transparency, as well as enhance the confidence of investors within the financial reporting ecosystem of Nigeria.
According to The Punch, Elebute is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with over 40 years of professional experience in Nigeria, West Africa and the world at large. Elebute had earlier served as the senior partner and chief executive officer of KPMG Nigeria, the KPMG West Africa chairman and the chairman of KPMG Africa.
Also, he had served on the regional and global boards of KPMG, such as its Global Board Audit Committee.
In the statement, he was described as a highly respected professional with wide experience in financial advisory services, auditing, strategic transformation, risk consulting and corporate governance.
Below are some of their comments:
Segun Benson said the appointment should have gone to another qualified person in another region of the country: “I would have expected Mr President to appoint a qualified person from another region.. no shades.”
Dimeji Lawal said that Nigerians are on the lookout for the effect of the appointment: “The appointment is one thing. The impact of the appointment is what Nigerians will be watching.”
Danjuma claimed that Tinubu’s appointments are following a particular pattern of the late former president Muhammadu Buhari: “I like Tinubu for this, he is following the footsteps of Buhari, who fulanised Nigeria with his appointments.”
Shamsuddeen commended the appointment of Elebute by President Tinubu, describing it as wonderful: “That’s another wonderful selection by President Tinubu GCFR by appointing Mr Elebute. Congratulations sir.”
News
Tinubu Makes Fresh Top Appointment
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Kunle Elebute as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
Naija News reports that the appointment was disclosed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Mr. Kunle Elebute
Elebute is a former Chief Executive Officer of KPMG Nigeria and previously served as Chairman of KPMG Africa.
During his illustrious career, he also served on KPMG’s regional and global boards, including its Global Board Audit Committee.
He is an accountant and economist with several decades of experience in auditing, financial advisory, corporate governance, and business consulting.
“Mr Elebute’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as the FRCN advances key institutional priorities, including ongoing engagements under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and broader efforts to align Nigeria’s corporate reporting framework with international best practices.
“The Federal Government is confident that his wealth of experience, leadership, and governance expertise will further strengthen the Council’s mandate and support the Renewed Hope Agenda’s objective of building a more transparent, competitive, and investment-friendly economy,” the statement added.
The Financial Reporting Council is the agency responsible for setting and enforcing accounting, auditing, actuarial, valuation, and corporate governance standards in Nigeria.
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