Senate Orders NCC to Stop Planned Data Tariff Hike

The Senate today urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to halt the panned increase in data tariff by mobile telecommunications operators in the country.

It could be recalled that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) some days back had directed mobile telephone operators in the country to jerk up data tariffs with effect from December 1

If the Senate’s directive is obeyed, all networks will not be able to execute the planned price hike which is planned to start taking effect in less than 24 hours.

Without much ado, MTN, Nigeria’s largest mobile carrier had sent out a broadcast message yesterday to its subscribers that it will be increasing its data tariff. All other networks have not formally informed their customers, but analysts are of the opinion that they will follow suit should the government give the final go ahead.

BY: Pupwaya Timothy Dibal

Signs his parents are not into you anymore

A relationship without the approval of both parents from the two people in love is not worth the stress, because it’s more like solving a hard mathematics questions without seeing the result. We might not admit it but it is important that the man and woman should get approval from their parents before walking down the aisle. You can be dating a girl or man for two years or even more and the day you decide to bring him or her home to your parents you might not get the approval you were hoping for. This could ruin all what you both have shared. This kind of situation is always common with ladies even after meeting them and they seem to like you. But after a while they start showing some funny signs that you can’t comprehend, even after you might have done a lot of things to please them. Do you want to know the reasons behind their sudden behaviour? Here are some subtle signs that they have stopped liking you.

1. When the vibes you get around them is weird: Some girls are so desperate to the extent that they don’t notice the weird behaviour of their spouse’s parents, while others have really intuition. When you begin to notice that his parents are acting funny, if truly you believe that you are not getting the right feeling when you are around them, then you need to tell your man about it.

2. They stopped inviting you to family function: Maybe you are used to getting invitations from your spouse’s parents to come for a family function or even invite you for extended stay to just show you off as a daughter in law to be. Then all of a sudden it stopped. When you even try to show up for a family function that their son invited you to without their consent they get disappointed. They can even go as far as asking you how you knew about the occasion or who invited you. If you start noticing this, then it is time to slow down, sit down and do some serious thinking.

3. When you are with them, they act like you don’t exist: Have you ever gone out with some group of friends, and each time you want to talk they act like you were not there? Imagine if you were at his parents place and they showed that they are not happy to see you at all. Or when you tried talking they just ignore you as if you weren’t there. Your sense might just tell you that you came at the wrong time or maybe they don’t want you around them anymore. It could also mean they don’t want you as their daughter in law or would be daughter in law anymore. Plain and simple!

4. They say negative stuff about you: Unfortunately, this is something that can happen when the parents just don’t like you anymore. But don’t let it bother you. It is okay for people not to like you. If his parents are always telling him to call it quits with you, or telling people that they don't like you because you came from this state or that state, just know that it is a clear sign they are not into you anymore. The best thing to do is to sit him down and voice out your thoughts. While you do this, make sure that what you say about his parents is not disrespectful so that you don’t complicate things the more. 

5. They no longer communicate with you: Maybe you always talk to them on phone almost every day, and then suddenly it stopped. Why? How? What happened? These questions will be going through your mind. Your instincts will begin to tell you something is amiss somewhere. You will even be so surprised that when you call them to know how they are doing they won’t pick up or even reply your text messages. You can even decide to call through your spouse’s phone but they will  make it clear that they don’t want to talk to you, or  give the excuse they are busy, they will call you later.  But for how long will it continue? If you notice that this has been going on for more than a month, no one needs to tell you; they are just not into you anymore. 

BY: Pupwaya Timothy Dibal

What you should bear in mind before renting an apartment in Abuja.

Many people cannot afford buying an apartment in Abuja, so they are left with the option of renting an apartment for some couple of years.

Moving to a new apartment can be very exciting here in Abuja. You get to see so many beautiful houses, especially in places like Maitama, Wuse and Garki that you will likely get confused about your choices. However, places like Kubwa, Lugbe, and Karu areas are little less expensive than Maitama and the likes. You will also have to bear in mind that your choices will depend greatly on your pocket and the location of the house.

There are several things to put in mind before taking the big step to renting an apartment, these things include;

1. Location should be your number one priority when it comes to looking for a house to rent. In case you have no particular location in mind, you can try and examine some areas and if you are not comfortable with your search, you can ask friends and estate agents to assist you. Make sure you visit each location to get acquainted with the environment before you make you final decision.

2. Rent should be the second thing to be put into consideration when choosing an apartment. How much is the house rent, is the payment going to be an installmental payment? The renewal of the house rent, is it on monthly, quarterly or yearly bases. Ensure that the rent is what you can afford to pay at any given time.

3. Test the taps in each room to make sure that the water is flowing; check the water heaters in the bathroom to also make sure they are functioning. You can ask landlord and neighbours about the reliability of the water supply.

4. Check the woods and lawn for termite infestation and take a close look at the doors and cupboards to make sure they are termite free.

5. Make sure that the doors and windows close without gab, otherwise rain will enter during the rainy season and dust can also enter during the dry season.

6. Get to know your neighbours as they will likely keep an eye on your property.

7. Ensure that crime prevention measures do not prevent an easy and quick escape for your family in case of emergency.

8. Most importantly, make sure the previous tenant of the house did not leave any unpaid bills as you may be held responsible for bills such as phone, electricity and water, etc.

BY: Mercy Kukah

Things Guys Notice about Girls on a First Date

Believe it or not, guys are not just checking out your assets when they first meet you. When a guy first sees a girl there are few things about her that he notice straight away. Although this little things might seems like small things at the beginning, but if this little things are add up together they become what a guy thinks about a lady. Most guys don’t look at physical appearance and a lot of the time it’s the small details about how she acts and behave that really makes an impression.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Some guys like girls who are totally into grooming and fashion, while other guys want ladies who are gentle and quite, some other men prefer ladies that are talkative, while others like a girlfriend who love partying. Whichever way, there are several things and traits that catches a guy’s eye.

So have you ever wondered what exactly it is that makes someone go across a crowd to say hello.

Here are six things that men notice about a woman when they first meet;

Smile- A smile is one of the most beautiful things a woman can wear and guys definitely take notice. If your smile is friendly and genuine, it says something good about you. When you give a guy a mocking smiles, that also says something about you, when a girl has a genuine, open smile, not only does it send a positive message to guys, it also just really makes it easier for them to feel comfortable approaching you.

Laugh – Men love it when you laugh at their jokes. It makes them feel like they are being funny and entertaining and that gives them a little sense of self confidence and gives them a feelings of acceptance. Don’t bust out your fake laugh because you think that is what he wants to hear, just like a real smile, a genuine laugh is something he will definitely appreciate

Voice – A guy will certainly be aware of the sound of your voice. Especially if that voice is exceptionally sexy, but mind you, don’t go around faking your accent to impress guys. There is only one you with a unique voice, so use your voice to instantly change a person’s perception. Your voice might be just that one thing that will make a guy trip for you.

Smell – Your scent is often the one thing about you that a guy will remember most vividly long after you have parted ways. It can linger on clothes, hands and memory and will give the guy a gentle reminder of the amazing woman he has met whenever he perceives the smell of your perfume anywhere, anytime. Always use soaps or perfume that you enjoy most and that which gives you a perfect sweet scent that will last for hours.

Friends – Guy’s can easily judge you by the company you keep. If there’s a member of your group or click of friends that your part don’t cross or you always don’t get along well with, do your best to distance yourself from them because people will always judge you with the type of friends you hang around with. First impression matters a lot in anything you do.

Confidence – What is most important to a guy meeting you for the first time is the ability for you to be very funny, make him laugh and give him great excitement, and be confidence and comfortable and be yourself around him. There is absolutely nothing that a guy finds more attractive than confidence. If you can express your opinions and desires with confidence, a guy will take notice immediately, no matter what your other characteristics are.

BY: Mercy Kukah

What you need to know about Plastic Rice to Protect Yourself.

China, a nation famous for having it all and making all, both fake and original, has now taken a step further with mass production and distribution of plastic rice. The fake rice phenomenon which is also known as plastic rice has been there since 2011, social media rumours have asserted plastic rice was being manufactured in China, exported and consumed by people in other countries unaware that the rice they were eating was in fact not food at all but plastic. Plastic rice is made by mixing sweet potatoes and plastics into regular rice grains shape, then adding industrial synthetic resins. These fake rice grains look exactly like rice but remain hard after cooking.

In each bag of rice, a small amount of real rice is mixed with the plastic rice and sprayed with a fragrance to make it smell the same as normal rice. Eating three bowls of this rice was found to be equal to consuming an entire plastic bag which is very dangerous for human health and terrible for the digestive system.

As we all know, Christmas and New Year is a season in which rice consumption is considered to be at its peak and children cry for a plate of rice. With the Nigerian economic recession, some parents may find it difficult to purchase rice for their children to consume for Christmas celebration, and so may depend on the cheapest rice in the market and may also depend on getting bags or measures of rice from their employers, friends and well wishes.

Whether you purchased your rice from the market yourself or it was given to you by your employers, friends or well wishes, here are six easy steps to determine if your rice is fake or original; these tests are very simple and do not require you to spend any money. The materials you need to carry out this test are right in your kitchen. So, from today henceforth, never eat rice without carrying out the following test;

The mortar and Pestles Test: Pour a few grains of rice into a mortar, pound it with a pestle, if the powder gives a white colour, you are good to go, but if it has a yellow discolouration, your rice is fake.

The Fire Test: I guess you know how plastic smells when it gets in contact with fire. So, get a lighter or a stick of matches, burn a handful of rice. If it catches fire and smells like burnt plastic, you have fake rice.

The Water Test: Normal rice, as we all know, is supposed to sink when poured in a pot or bowl. To test the originality of your rice, get a bowl or glass of cold water. Pour a tablespoon of raw rice in the glass and stir. If the rice goes to the bottom, it is all good. If it floats at the top, be careful because it means it contains plastic rice. Do not eat.

The Fungus Test: Pour a Handful of rice in a warm place and leave it for like two to three days. If mold or fungus does not appear for like two to three days, your rice is fake and should not be consumed. It will not get mold because plastic is not affected by weather or temperature.

The Boiling Test:  Anytime you boil your rice, observe the rice while it is boiling. If it starts forming a thick layer at the top of the pot, it is plastic rice.

The Hot Oil Test: Take some of the rice and drop into a very hot oil. If it is plastic, it will melt or stick together or stick to the bottom of the pan or pot. If any of these occur then your rice is fake and should not be consumed.

Make sure you test your rice before consuming them.

BY: Mercy Kukah