Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has declared a two-week holiday for civil servants in the State to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
The governor announced on Tuesday in Makurdi as part of his Christmas message to the people of Benue.
He stated that the holiday would commence on December 24 and end on January 6, 2025.
According to Alia, the extended holiday is intended to allow workers to enjoy the festive season with their loved ones. He also encouraged them to use the period to engage in farming activities to boost food production and alleviate poverty.
“In the spirit of the Yuletide and in conjunction with the Benue Executive Council, I’m pleased to announce an elongated Christmas and New Year holiday for the state workforce. This decision underscores our commitment to supporting the well-being of our workers,” Alia said.
“While you enjoy this festive season with your loved ones, it is also expected that the holiday will afford you time to attend to your various agricultural engagements,” he added.
The governor emphasised that essential service providers would devise schedules to ensure uninterrupted services during the holiday period. He listed essential service providers as including financial institutions, energy providers, security agencies, hospitals, telecommunications, fire services, and the water board, among others.
Alia urged the people of Benue to continue fostering a spirit of love and peace while remaining committed to building a better state. He also prayed for a peaceful and joyous Christmas and New Year celebration.
