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T he Second Niger Bridge is almost half completed, Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State Innocent Alumonah has said. The bridge links the West and East stretching from Asaba in Delta State to Onitsha in Anambra State. Alumonah said the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nig. Plc, had accomplished about 85 piles of 914 millimeter in diameter in different axis. “The contract was split into phases. Phases 1 to phase 3 have been successfully accomplished and we are now on early works in phase 4. Part of this early works phase 4 forms part of the main contract. “So far, the 1.2-kilometre sand filling of the road at the Asaba end has reached the height of 2.2 meters out of the expected five meters. “At the Onitsha end, we have done a lot of sand filling of embankments to a reasonable stage. We have done a lot of culverts as well. “In all, we have achieved around 44.6 per cent of phase of early work stage 4,” Alumonah said. He said the contract for the e

P resident Muhammadu Buhari has explained why he declared his intentions to run for another term in office on Monday, April 9, 2018, during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Receiving the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Justin Welby in London Wednesday, President Buhari said: "I declared before leaving home because Nigerians were talking too much about whether I would run or not. So, I felt I should break the ice. We have many things to focus on, like security, agriculture, economy, anti-corruption, and many others. We needed to concentrate on them, and politics should not be a distraction. The majority of Nigerians appreciate what we are doing, and that is why I am re-contesting." The President recounted some successes of the administration to his guest, with whom he has built a deep friendship in recent times, and was quite particular about strides in agriculture. "We have cut the importation of

W elcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:48am. Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 10th April, 2018. Senator Jonah David Jang seconded. ANNOUNCEMENT Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, announced that yesterday, we recognized the birthday of our longest-serving Senator and longest-serving Senate President, Senator David Mark but he was not here. “Today, I believe that it is only right for us to once again congratulate him for the ‘young’ age that he has attained.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki. “Congratulations sir. We congratulate you for your service to this great country; for your dedication as an Officer and as a Gentleman. Those of us who are politicians are always jealous that you can do

T he population of Nigeria, the giant of Africa, is pegged at an estimation of 198 million, according to the National Population Commission (NPC). According to NAN, Eze Duruiheoma, NPC chairman, said this in New York while delivering Nigeria’s statement on sustainable cities, human mobility and international migration at the 51st session of commission on population and development. Nigeria currently rank as the 7th most populous nation in the world. As of 2016, the World Bank said Nigeria had an estimated 186 million people living in it. Duruiheoma said urban population was growing at an average annual rate of about 6.5 percent, adding that teenagers, women of child-bearing age and the working age population, were more engaged in urbanisation. “Nigeria remains the most populous in Africa, the seventh globally with an estimated population of over 198 million,” Duruiheoma said. “The recent World Population Prospects predicts that by 2050, Nigeria will beco