FG- MTN SEEK MODALITIES FOR PAYMENT OF BALANCE OF FINE

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it is continuing talks towards the resolution of the N780 billion fine slammed on MTN.

A statement by its spokesman on Monday by Tony Ojobo, said the “receipt of the amount, and withdrawal of the suit is without prejudice to the final decision of government on the terms of payment being proposed by the company”.

It said a team led by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, will review the conditions of the payment of the fine at a meeting with the MTN team led by Eric Holder, former US attorney-general.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, wishes to affirm Federal Government’s receipt of the Sum of N50,000,000,000 (Fifty Billion Naira Only), towards settlement of the fine imposed on MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd by the Commission, and its withdrawal of Suit No FHC/1923/2015 – MTN Vs. NCC & HAGF.

“The official information to the Commission to that effect, was received from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, today, 29th February, 2016.

“The amount is an unconditional good faith payment, on the basis that this sum would be applied towards eventual settlement agreement for payment of the fine imposed by the Commission, where the ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and the company reaches a final resolution.”

BREAKING: ESE FINALLY REGAINS FREEDOM AFTER IGP'S INTERVENTION

Freedom has finally come the way of the 14-year-old Ese Oruru, who was allegedly abducted last August in Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, by a Kano indigene named Yunusa.

Ese, Punch reports was freed on Monday by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

It was widely reported that Ese, who was 13 as at the time of her alleged abduction was taken to Kano, by Yunusa, who converted her to Islam and eventually married her.

More to come…

WE ARE STILL GLO AMBASSADORS- PSQUARE INSISTS

Despite speculations that Telecommunication giant, Globacom, had dropped Nigerian singing duo, Peter and Paul Okoye of the Psqaure fame as its brand ambassadors, the twin brothers have come out to say they are yet to receive any notification to that effect.

It would be recalled that few days after their social media war, Glo allegedly dropped them.

It was reported that Peter and one of the company’s representatives were involved in an issue that the singer/dancer handled unprofessionally, resulting in their termination as brand ambassadors. The sources also revealed that truly, the company had failed to fulfill some of its promises, but that such did not give Peter the right to insult them.

Reports during the week had also alleged that the they might have been sacked as Glo Ambassadors following an insult purportedly directed at the telecommunication company.

But reacting to the development, the group it is yet to receive any notification on the alleged termination of their contract.

Mr. Bayo Adetu, publicist of the ‘Bizzy body’ crooners told The Punch that as far as the group is concerned, their termination as Glo ambassadors is only ‘real in the imagination of bloggers.’

“I don’t know where those rumours are coming from. Reports I have read have sighted anonymous officials.

“Glo has not communicated with P-square on anything like that. So shun the rumours, we have a contract with Glo and I can confirm that P-Square are still Glo ambassadors,” he said.

Meanwhile, a source in Glo reliably confirmed to DAILY POST that the company is yet to take a decision on the fate of P-Square with the company.

“Presently, Glo is deliberating on whether or not to renew deals/ambassadorship of those whose pacts are due to be renewed.

“The status quo is not peculiar to only P-Square.

“On this issue, the company has not said anything official yet,” the source disclosed.

EMIR OF KANO ORDERS THE REPATRIATION OF ESE TO BAYELSA

The Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II has ordered the state Sharia Commission to work closely with the office of the Assistant Inspector General of police, zone 1 to ensure the repatriation the 14 years old teenager, Ese Oruru back to Bayelsa.

Reacting to the abduction of the teenager, he said “I have ordered the sharia commission to liaise with the office of the Deputy Inspector General of police zone 1 to repatriate and reconcile the teenager with her family immediately.”

DAILY POST recalls that one Yunusa who hails from Kura Local Government Area of Kano State had in August 2015 allegedly kidnapped Oruru in Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

THE OSCARS IN PICTURES: THE GLITZ AND GLAM

With their first ever Academy Awards in hand, the celebrations weren't about to end early for Leonardo DiCaprio, 41, and Brie Larson, 26. 

The 88th Annual Oscar's Best Actor and Best Actress joined fellow actors Jennifer Lawrence - a past winner of the golden trophy - and Sofia Vergara, as well as musicians Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift who partied with the models Kate Upton and Miranda Kerr.

After picking up their gongs at The Governors Ball, the duo hot-footed it to tinsel town's hottest parties, including the annual Vanity Fair bash at the Wallis Annenberg Center, which was also attended by Elton John, who had hosted his own suitably star-studded affair at West Hollywood Park.

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Hitting the afterparties: (From left) Oscars winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Brie Larson joined Jennifer Lawrence at Sunday night's afterparties, with Vanity Fair's annual bash at the Wallis Annenberg Center first attracting the actors

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She won the award for Best Actress at last night's Academy Awards, but Brie Larsson has got to be a contender for best dressed too.

The Room actress opted for a beautiful blue Gucci gown for the main event, but she totally knocked our socks off in this velvet dress for the Vanity Fair party. The thigh high split, asymmetric off the shoulder shape and cut out side all together are super flattering. And the pale pink velvet material? Perfection!

It's by Monse, a brand new label by Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia whose Fall 2016 collection (which this dress hails from) is only their second ever. And already they can count fans such as Selena Gomez and Sienna Miller so they must be doing something right!

Click the link (right) to add this name to your ever-growing list of labels to watch. Or if you want to recreate Brie's look on the high street, let our edit below be your guide. Get touchy feely in Topshop Unique or this House of CB dress is an easy way to buy into the velvet trend.* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED

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Colourful array of stars: (From left) Taylor Swift, Kate Upton, Miranda Kerr and Lady Gaga were among the stars wanting to celebrate with them late into the night

For a man who has made four unsuccessful attempts at gold, Leonardo maintained his composure at the post-ceremony celebrations and was poised with a self-assured smile on his face.

The first stop was the official afterparty, the Governors Ball, which is hosted every year to give the top names a chance to see the plaques being etched onto their trophies.

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The Revenant star Leo was sure to attend the do, at the Hollywood & Highland Center - where he picked up his long-awaited gong - and the Vanity Fair after party before he then headed out to grab a very late dinner at Argo restaurant.

His mother Irmelin Indenbirken was captured in the back of his taxi, seemingly accompanying him to the post-parties after serving as his red carpet date to the ceremony. 

Brie was also there, with Best Original Song winner Sam Smith, Best Supporting Actress Alicia Vikander and Best Director Alejandro Gonzalez, with whom Leonardo obviously worked on The Revenant. 

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Happy now? Leonardo watched as his gong was finalised inside the Governors Ball afterparty

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Checking it over: Brie was forced to check over the plaque on her trophy before it got added

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A wave from the winners: Brie (left) and Leonardo (right) headed across town with their prizes in hand to party on the Vanity Fair bash

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Whisking her away: Leonardo was captured sharing a taxi with his mother after the ceremony after taking her as his date to the event

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Winners: Leo enjoyed a chat with previous Oscar winner Elton John

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Well done: Leo was spotted posing for a selfie snap with none other than director Steven Spielberg and producer Arnon Milchan at the Governors Ball immediately after the show

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READ THE FUNNIEST CHRIS ROCK'S OSCAR JOKES ,,,,,, AND REACTIONS

Welcome to the Oscars, otherwise known as the "White People's Choice Awards"

Chris Rock started the show as he meant to go on - with hilarious, but pointed, jokes at the 'sorority racism' of Hollywood

2. "Things are changing, we've got a black Rocky this year!And this is outstanding because Rocky takes place in a world where white athletes are as good as black athletes - it's a science fiction movie!"

This is true. He then said Star Wars was more realistic.

3. "Of all the girl-on-girl movies I've seen this year, Carol was the third best"

This was anger-inducing, but got a good chuckle. CAROL WAS ROBBED.

4. "How come only unemployed tell you to quit something? No-one with a job tells you to quit. I thought about quitting, I thought about it real hard but then I thought they are going to have the Oscars anyway and the last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart."

Strong words about #OscarSoWhite got everyone chucking.

5. "Jada's gonna boycott the Oscars? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties. I wasn't invited."

This was a slight burn.

Cutting the fat off my monologue #oscars pic.twitter.com/ngMQD6LAkt

— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 29, 2016

6. Hollywood is “sorority racist, like ‘We like you, Ronda, but you’re not a Kappa.’”

Seriously, could @chrisrock be more amazing?

— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) February 29, 2016

7. “You get mad that Will was this good and didn’t get nominated” [for his role in Concussion]. “It’s also not fair that Will was paid $20m to do Wild Wild West.”

8. “If they nominated hosts I wouldn’t even get this job so you’d be watching Neil Patrick Harris right now.”

Thanks @oliviawilde and @chrisrock's daughter #TheOscars pic.twitter.com/NIxGilxnQU

— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) February 29, 2016

9. "Robert De Niro’s never said, ‘I have to slow this acting down so Meryl Streep can catch up.’”

10. “You’re not allowed to ask women what they’re wearing any more. Everything’s not sexism; everything’s not racism. They ask the men more because they’re all wearing the exact same thing. If George Clooney came in a lime-green tux with a swan coming out of his ass they’d say, ‘What are you wearing George?’”

They look better in 3D #oscars pic.twitter.com/Xc8tKOem1P

— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 29, 2016

11. “This year, things are going to be a little different. This year, in the In Memoriam package, it’s just going to be black people that were shot by the cops on their way to the movies … yes I said it!”

MEET AMERICA'S LIVING LEAP YEAR BABY BORN IN 1916 WHO JUST CLOCKED "25"

 Wondering why my Arithmetic sucks? dont worry , just read on.

One Florida woman is celebrating a very special birthday and a huge milestone as she is America's oldest-living leap year baby. 

Born on February 29, 1916, Daisy Belle Ward celebrated her milestone birthday this past weekend in Sunrise with a four-day long birthday bash complete with an 80-piece marching band that she danced along with,CBS News reported.

The party was a celebration of her 100 years of life, or her 25th birthday according to the calendar.

Sporting her Sunday's best, Ward was honored by city officials, saw a gospel performance led by recording artist Dottie Peoples and attended an all-white gala where she was presented with the Centennial Certificate issued by President Barack Obama, CNN reported. 

Amazing: Born on February 29, 1916, Daisy Belle Ward celebrated her milestone birthday this past weekend in Sunrise, Florida. The party was a celebration of her 100 years of life, or her 25th birthday according to the calendar

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Ward, who is originally from Rocky Ford, Georgia, is believed to be America's oldest-living leap year baby

Her son, Clinton Ward, said the family is happy the remarkably healthy woman reached age 100. 

'The idea about it is this -- we're happy that she reached it. I'm 81 years old, and I would like to reach 100, but I would like to be in the state of mind just like she is,' he told CNN. 

Clinton Ward told CNN that leading up to the big celebration, his mother 'was excited about it and every time we'd come to [visit her] she'd think it was the day.' 

TERRY G SURVIVES GHASTLY MOTOR ACCIDENT IN LAGOS

Nigerian pop star, Terry G, on Sunday, survived a ghastly motor accident in Lagos.

The accident involving his new Range Rover Sport and another vehicle, occurred while he was on his way back from a night club between the 1st and 2nd roundabout in Lekki, Lagos state at about 6.am.

It would be recalled that this would be the second time the Akpako master would be involved in an accident in five years.

His Personal Assistant, PA, Urchineke, told the NET that the ‘Free Madness’ crooner is very fine.

Urchineke said, “He was not the one driving and somehow, he managed to escape without Injury. As I’m talking to you now, he’s at home with his wife but his car is badly damaged.

“It was one of his boys that drove and they are fine.”

When asked if anyone of them sustained serious injuries, the PA said: ‘It’s only the guy that drove that sustained minor injuries, but Terry and the other two guys in the Range Rover are okay.

“I am presently at the spot where the accident occurred. We are moving the car.”

The PA said many of our friends have called and they were very scared because the picture of his car they saw on social media is damaged beyond repair.

“He’s not in any hospital as people may think,” he added.

Terry G in his terse response said, “So you self no believe say nothing happen to me, I dey kampe.

“I am ok my brother. I just say make I rest. Just thank God for me say nothing happen to anyone of us,” he noted.

LAGOS RESIDENTS SET ROBBERY SUSPECT ABLAZE FOR STEALING PLASMA TV

A suspected robber, One Mopol, was on Saturday, set ablaze by irate mob at Funmilayo junction, Agege, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing a plasma television.

The suspect who had successfully stolen the item, was leaving Sura Odumakin Street when he was caught at about 6am by a resident who raised the alarm, drawing the angry crowd to the scene.

But for policemen from the Elere division who arrived to rescue him, Mopol was almost lynched.

As the operatives were taking him away, he reportedly vowed to go after his assailants when he leaves the police custody.

Mopol’s statement was said to have attracted the mob who snatched him from the police, stabbed him several times, tied him with a rope and dragged him to the junction where he was set ablaze.

One Diran Oderinde, an eyewitness, told The Punch that the police later came in a van and took away his corpse.

According to him, “I was woken up around 6.30am by the commotion caused by his arrest. One Mopol was a known robber in this community and he robbed with confidence. He stole the plasma television at Sura Odumakin in the Papa area but was caught by a resident when he was about to escape,” Oderinde added.

Another resident, who identified himself only as Taofiq, said “One Mopol derived his name from his mode of operation. He said he raped a woman last week after dispossessing her of N30, 000. He robbed alone with a cutlass.

“Last Saturday night, he robbed a woman selling food on Abiba Street and raped her. When One Mopol was caught this morning (Saturday), the woman came to the scene and discovered that he was the one who actually attacked her.”

A mechanic, Tolu Ibrahim, said One Mopol’s death was a relief to residents, adding that hardly a week went by that he would not rob someone in the community.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Dolapo Badmos, said, “The command will not tolerate jungle justice in any case, members of the public should endeavour to report such and normal procedure will be followed to get justice done.

“A robber who allegedly stole a plasma TV was burnt to death at Funmilayo area, Agege.

“Police got the information and moved to the scene but unfortunately the man had died. Investigation is on to unravel what actually transpired.

“His corpse has been deposited in a morgue for autopsy,” Badmos noted, urging the public to shun jungle justice.