The Federal Controller of Works in Anambra, Mr Adeyemo Ajani, on Saturday said the second Niger Bridge may be redesigned to prevent suicide attempts.

Ajani stated this when the Abuja branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) inspected the on-going works at the Ogbaru site of the project, near Onitsha.

He said he would take up the NSE recommendation with the appropriate authorities.

“What we have on the walk lane is our standard design but what the engineers are talking about is a kind of review.

“If we have to do abnormal design to take care of suicidal situations, it will require another design.

“There has been rapid progress on the project. The last time the minister and the vice-president came, it was 15 per cent level completion but today it is above 21per cent.

“When you look at it from the time the project started, we are now at 24 per cent completion.

“The main bridge has begun.; we have done all the piling and the structures above water level have been done considerably.

“At the Asaba end, we have raised the structure to the deck up to 80 per cent,” Ajani said.

During the inspection earlier, the NSE Abuja Chairman, Mr Chinasaokwu Okoli, recommended a suicide-proof design of the pedestrian walkway of the bridge to prevent cases of suicide.

Okoli recommended a standard walkway of 1.5m high to discourage anyone who might want to jump from the bridge into the river.

“We are 25 engineers from Abuja, here to see for ourselves the second Niger Bridge.

“The project is fully crafted and the work is being handled and supervised well.

“Our concerns are positive. All the places that could raise concerns have been properly tidied up.

“The only area we have concerned is the pedestrian walkway.

“With what we are hearing about people jumping over the bridge and committing suicide, we feel it could be raised up a bit to make it a little difficult for those who may think of committing suicide here.

“There should also be an attachment at the end of the 1.5m so that even if one wants to climb, he will be discouraged,” the chairman, said.

Okoli advised the consultants and the contractors to go back and try to reflect the concern that suicide attempts might be considered on the bridge if not raised.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for embarking on the project and expressed satisfaction with the quality and progress of work at the site.

[color=#000099][/color]Seyi, one of the housemates of the ongoing Big Brother Naija 2019 reality television show tagged “Pepper Dem“, on Monday, July 15, rubbished the “Veto Power” he won during the Veto game of chance on Sunday.

Naija News understands that the housemate with the “Veto Power” can save and replace any housemate during the live nominations for possible eviction.

Seyi, who has the “Veto Power”, was nominated for eviction on Monday during the live nominations and was expected to save himself and replace with another housemate but instead, he refused to use the “Veto Power”.

The decision which didn’t go well with Biggie, saw him (Biggie) ban Seyi from the remaining Veto game of chance which is always the key to whoever gets the “Veto Power”.

Naija News reports that Seyi’s decision means he remains nominated for possible eviction next Sunday when the live eviction show takes place.

Meanwhile, the fourth edition of the Big Brother Naija reality show which is hosted by former Big Brother contestant, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, is taking place in Nigeria after the last two editions were filmed in South Africa.

The show which will run for 99 days, is broadcasting live in 45 countries from Nigeria through East, West and Southern Africa on DStv on channel 198 and GOtv channel 29 24/7.

The would-be winner of the reality show will leave the House with N60 million.

Breakdown of the prizes for the winner includes; N30million cash prize; an SUV from Innoson Motors; a trip to Dubai for two, packaged by TravelBeta; a home make-over courtesy Scanfrost; a year’s supply of Pepsi and One Africa Fest VVIP experience; a year’s supply of Indomie Noodles and Munch It; and a brand new Oppo mobile smartphone.

Apart from this, there’s also a bonus prize of two VIP Tickets to watch a European Football final game live, courtesy BET9ja.

Naija News understands that BBNaija Season 4 grand prize is an increase from the season three edition, which saw Miracle Ikechukwu Igbokwe win N45m worth of prizes.

[color=#006600][/color]NCC Building

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has remitted N51.3 billion to the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in the first quarter of 2019.

The remittance, according to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC/CEO), NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, is in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 (FRA 2007).

The payment represents “Payment on Account” in respect of operating surplus of N44 billion and N7.3 billion spectrum assignment fee collected, both of which are due to the Federal Government as on April 30, 2019.

According to the FRA 2007, such payments are to be made every year after the preparation of Audited Accounts.

Specifically, Section 22, Sub-section 1 of the Act states that “Notwithstanding the provisions of any written law governing the Corporation, each Corporation shall establish a general reserve fund and shall allocate thereto at the end of each financial year, one-fifth of its operating surplus for the year.”

Section 22, Sub-section 2 of the Act states further that, “The balance of the operating surplus shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Government not later than one month following the statutory deadline for publishing each Corporation’s Account.”

Aside from remitting the operating surplus, NCC in a document, yesterday, signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Henry Nkemadu, said Section 17, Sub-section 3 of the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA, 2003) also stipulates that spectrum assignment fees generated shall be remitted 100 percent to the Federal Government.

The Section states that “the Commission shall pay all monies accruing from the sales of Spectrum under Part 1 of Chapter VIII into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).”

Commenting further, the EVC, Prof. Danbatta, said the Commission had taken the initiative to be making payments on account as it generates revenue.

Danbatta noted that through effective regulatory oversight by the Commission, the telecommunications sector has witnessed phenomenal growth since 2001, making it an enabler of economic growth and development.

“To date, the telecoms industry has positively impacted all the sectors of the economy including banking, healthcare, commerce, transportation, agriculture, education and so on, with increased quarter-on-quarter contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Prof. Danbatta added.

For instance, the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the telecoms industry contributed 10.11 percent to Nigeria’s GDP in the first quarter of 2019.

This represents a 0.92 percent increase from the first quarter of the last year. This year’s first quarter contribution is also 0.26 percent more than the figure (9.85 percent) recorded in the last quarter of 2018.

“From 2001 to date, telecoms investment has increased tremendously from $500 million to over $70 billion, just as the Commission intensifies measures aimed to further facilitate investment growth in telecoms infrastructure to drive the economy, especially through the licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos). We are also working with necessary stakeholders across all levels of government to address identified impediments to investment drive in the sector,” Danbatta said.

Danbatta, while providing the latest data on the industry to underscore the impressive growth already recorded in the industry, said: “in the 21st Century, access to pervasive broadband is a game-changer for any economy.”

He explained further: “The Commission has since placed greater emphasis on broadband development as the next frontier for economic growth by driving efficiency and innovations in Nigeria. Consequently, through the painstaking implementation of our 8-Point Agenda with the need to facilitate broadband development topping the agenda, we have been able to increase broadband penetration to 33.13 percent as at end of May 2019.”

Accordingly, Danbatta stated that as of May this year, there were over 173.6 million active mobile lines across mobile networks, corresponding to a teledensity of 90.98 percent. Internet subscriptions during the month stood at 122.6 million up from 119 million in April.

Two 18-year-old Nigerians have been arrested for the kidnap, drugging and killing of a five-year-old boy (Ahmed Ado), whom they abducted from his school in Kano State.

Parading the suspects, the Kano State Police Commissioner Ahmed Ilyasu, said the police received a complaint that the boy was kidnapped and were able to arrest, after some investigations, a principal suspect, Ibrahim Ahmed, 28.

In addition, the police also nabbed one Musa Sanusi and another suspect both aged 18.

Ilyasu stated that after interrogation, the suspects confessed to have kidnapped the boy and drugged him which resulted in boy’s death.

Ado’s remains were buried in a shallow grave at an uncompleted building, the police said.

“The police have exhumed the body of the victim and the suspects will be taken to court. This is a highest form of inhumanity and the police will not relent in its fight against all forms of criminal activities,” disclosed the police chief.

The father of the victim, Malam Ado, told our Daily Trust that the suspects kidnapped his son from the nursery and primary school he attended and they later called him demanding N50 million as the ransom to free his kidnapped son.

“They demanded N50 million, then reduced it to N20 million. We were negotiating till when we arrived at N200,000, not knowing that my son had been killed,” he said.

[img][/img]“… Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there’s an ache within my heart
that will never go away.”

The above is an excerpt from “If Roses Grow in Heaven” by Dolores M. Garcia.

Senator Dino Melaye is really missing his late mother, and to keep remembering her, he has done an uncommon thing.

Also Read: #BBNaija 2019: Nigerians React To Mercy And Ike’s Steamy Bedroom Conversation

The senator representing Kogi central who buried his mother over the weekend built a chapel in memory of his late mother who passed away a few months ago.

[img][/img]Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pledged to support National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in combating fraudulent mobilisation of unqualified graduates for national service.
The EFCC commended corps members for educating Nigerians on the dangers of corruption through the Anti-corruption Community Development Service Groups.

Information about the anti-graft’s pledge are in a statement by Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations in Abuja on Tuesday.

Adeyemi stated that the EFCC acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, made the pledge when NYSC Director-General,Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently at EFCC Headquarters, Abuja.

She added that Magu condemned activities of unpatriotic Nigerians who brought shame to the country through their desperate quest for wealth, including sale of academic qualifications to unqualified graduates.

The EFCC boss then promised to collaborate with NYSC to checkmate illegal activities of such individuals.

Earlier, the NYSC chief had decried corruption in the country, adding that under his leadership, staff and corps members would pursue the fight to get rid of the menace.

He appealed for EFCC support “in NYSC’s quest to monitor the activities of some higher institutions that present unqualified graduates for mobilisation for national service.”

Ibrahim said “it is unfortunate that some institutions of higher learning, particularly in Cotonou, Benin Republic present to us people who didn’t go to the four walls of the university as graduates for NYSC mobilisation.

“We are presently investigating some of such so-called graduates, many of whom cannot write or spell any word in English.” (NAN)

[img][/https://www.dailyparrots.com/topic/news/tragedy/][sup][/sup]Blessing Osom, the former friend to controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh has taken a step further in dragging the actress name into the mud.

Blessing Osom and Tonto Dikeh

Osom has made more shocking details about what went down during the course of her friendship with the Nollywood actress.

Information Nigeria recalls Blessing Osom, also known as Ladygolfer001 on Instagram took the internet by storm after taking to Instagram to thank Tonto's ex-husband Olakunle Churchill profusely for gifting her N3m to celebrate her birthday.

Tonto Dikeh, however, shaded her former friend calling her a pig.

Now, Osom is back for more drama.

Read her post below;

When people talk about running away from friends like me, I'm amused, but I doubt Tonto Dike will ever have a friend like me. I refused to discuss my issue with Tonto because I wanted to be matured about it. I think there is need to clarify issues for concerned parties.

A year ago I posted a picture of my meal on my DM and Tonto commented about coming to eat and also added she would like us to talk about doing business together. I responded to the Dm by saying it's fine. Hours later, Tonto drove in with a friend and we had lunch. She made mention of her doing an empowerment program which they needed money, but because the event was close and in two days, I was only able to raise 500k which was the only funds used for the event.

Till date, Tonto has not empowered the graduating students. Tonto also told me she needed money for rent because of the pressure she was getting from the facility management, I had to introduce her to someone who helped in sorting the rent and the person was constantly giving her millions of Naira.

Tonto never had food in her house for herself and workers asides her son's food. I made sure that we constantly sent food to her house and never allowed her to cry as she was always depressed. I was a friend that left my car for Tonto because she never had a good car to befit a celebrity as she claims.

Please ask Tonto if she had ever used her money anytime we were out together? She will always bring up excuses like I forgot my ATM or my PA didn't come out with my ATM. I knew she didn't have cash and I was always willing to cover her up. Most times when she goes for an event, she will invite all the media houses but will never have any money at hand to pay. At the end of the day, She will move to my restaurant and will ask me to help her pay which I'll eventually pay

Now fast forward to her SA invitation. She had a church invitation but didn't have funds for the trip, I personally took Tonto to church, prayed with her for God to have mercy and turn around things. I personally paid in 4m to her account (i have proof) to facilitate the trip cause it was prayers answered. On reaching the embassy, Tonto was not with her Visa fee.

I knew she didn't have the funds, I paid visa fee for 4 of us meant for the trip and also paid for the VIP lounge which she was not allowed to enter without payment. Prior to this, Tonto borrowed 300k from me which she never paid until we got to SA.

I personally brought my designer bags, clothes, Jewelries for Tonto to use for the event. After the event, she started giving me attitude just because she never wanted to share any money with me. (take note it was a church event and nothing else) I was never upset with her cause money doesn't matter at all to me. Tonto is a very pleasant person anytime she wants something from you.

After all Tonto did to me, guess what? she went ahead to blackmail me and my restaurant. The same restaurant she was eating from. She went to all the ladies in Abuja including the one that had a restaurant to promote them and also say negative things about my person.
Tonto was basically looking for all my enemies to make friends with. I did not complain?

So why is she and some people upset because I am friends with Churchill? I can never inherit Tonto's enemies because I know she's not a good person. While we were friends, I know Tonto has a lot of fake accounts which she uses online to insult people she has issues with. I read comments of people online saying I am bad, that I am jealous of Tonto and also sleeping with Churchill!

Hey, am too busy for such. Please LET US BE CLEAR ON THIS, Tonto never introduced me to Churchhill, he came on his own with his friends to eat in my restaurant. This happened before she tried being friends with me just to use me. It was my birthday and for God's sake. A gift is a gift. Tonto is used to paying people evil for good, but I know that God in heaven isn't asleep, he will surely pay both of us back in our own coin. Let him be the judge. I rest my case.

[img][/https://ocdn.eu/pulscms-transforms/1/KVtk9kqTURBXy9hZDIwNGQ2MDBhZWFhNDIxZjUxMGNiYjQ2NzBmMDYyMi5qcGVnkZMFzQGpzN-BoTEA].
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Zamfara state, have been ordered to produce a document requested by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Presenting his argument at the resumed hearing on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, the petitioners’ lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), told the tribunal that the subpoena had been served on the two officials but they have failed to either appear or make available the documents requested.

Also Read: Lay Down Your Arms Or Get Ready For My Wrath – Army Warns Boko Haram

However going through the record of the court, the tribunal chairman, Justice Mohammed Garba revealed that Yakubu was served with the subpoena on July 15, while the Zamfara’s RECs was served on July 12.

The electoral body’s officials are expected to produce the documents by 12p.m on Thursday, July 18 and their counsel Yunus Usman (SAN) have been asked to make sure they comply.

[imghttps://www.today.ng/news/metro/three-nabbed-abducting-raping-female-teenagers-236854[/img]
Three suspected cultists have been arrested for allegedly abducting and raping two teenage girls in Awada, near Onitsha, Anambra state.

The suspects, Andrew Ejike (20), Chidiebere Edwin (19) and Chisom Christian (17) were said to have raped the victims after subjecting them to initiation rituals.

It was gathered that the victims were later set free but not without a warning not to reveal their ordeal to anyone.

The police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident, saying the suspects were arrested by Surveillance Patrol team attached to Awada Division.

He said they would be charged to court after investigation was concluded.

He said, “The suspects abducted two young girls aged 15 and 17years and forced them to undergo some initiation rituals and allegedly gang-raped them before letting them go.

“All of them have confessed to their membership of a cult group known as the “SAITARIS”.

The police PRO also confirmed the arrest of another suspected cultist for allegedly attacking three persons with machete in order to initiate them into his cult group.

He said the suspect, Onyeka Iloka had lured the victims into the bush where they were beaten.

He said, “Police detectives attached to Ozubulu division arrested one Onyeka Iloka alias “Campus Executioner”, aged 25 years of Eziora in Ozubulu.

“Suspect allegedly lured one Chidera Agina and two others of the same address into the bush, beat them with machete in order to initiate them into his cult group “Vickings confraternity”.

“Suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime and is assisting the Police with useful information that could help arrest his accomplices in order to bring them to justice.”