Kidnapped 14yr old Ese Oruru regains her freedom, in police custody

14 year old Ese Oruru has regained her freedom. She was rescued from her abductor, Yinusa, who kidnapped her from her mother's shop in Bayelsa in August 2015, forced her to change her religion and married her. Ese is currently in police custody‎. 

FG, MTN seek modalities on payment of N730bn 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”.

Why we now support Buhari – Ohaneze Ndigbo

The Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Anambra, Chief Chris Eluemuno, has said that the organisation is bound to support President Muhammadu Buhari in the interest of the Igbo.

Eluemuno told newsmen on Sunday after being conferred with the traditional title of “Ogbuefi Nwajiugo” by his Nkwelle- Ezunaka community in Anambra that the apex socio-cultural organisation had no choice but to partner with the government.

IPMAN threatens to shut down operations

The Enugu Zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) has threatened to shut down operations in Anambra and Enugu over alleged harassment by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Its Chairman, Chief Ikechukwu Nwankwo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that the planned showdown was to protest the incessant harassment of the members by the officials of the DPR.

The chairman accused NNPC officials of sabotage, saying they were in the habit of preventing marketers from procuring products at the approved depot prices.

Ben Bruce contacts Kano Emir to demand immediate release of Ese

The Senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray Bruce on Monday disclosed that he has contacted the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, to demand the immediate release of 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.

Reports have it 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 married her. Parents of the girl had reportedly made several trips to Kano, where they unraveled the plights of their daughter.

The parents said they have involved the police, but efforts to get the Emir of Kano, at whose palace the girl is believed to be held to resolve the matter and ensure the return of the 14-year-old to them failed to yield positive result.

NFF releases 'strong worded' statement explaining it's relationship with Sunday Oliseh

The Nigerian Football federation in a bid to clear the air on some misguided and wrongly dispersed information by some media outlets, has released a statement explaining everything about Oliseh's contract, his pre and post-contract issues with the NFF and other topics that have evolved ever since Oliseh tendered his resignation on Friday last week.

The full statement as published on their official website...

Emir of Kano orders Sharia Commission to repatriate 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.”

Data: NCC may sanction telecoms operators for migrating subscribers to PAYGO

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may take regulatory action on telecommunications operators over migration of subscribers to Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) data plan, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The regulatory body gave the indication in its “2015 Q4 Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Reports’’, made available to NAN on Monday in Lagos.

It said the commission had been inundated with complaints from telecommunications consumers regarding the current practices by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

We are still Glo ambassadors – P-square 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.

Do You Use Any Of These Phones? Sorry You Will Soon Be Disabled from WhatsApp

WhatsApp is about to give up to five million long-standing users the boot as it clamps down on the use of old phones. The messaging app is ending support for a number of wildly popular devices just weeks after turning seven years old.

In a statement, it called on people to buy new gizmos if they want to continue tagging along on its "amazing journey".

With $30 oil price, we have to proritize and downsize our promises- Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says with oil prices sliding to as low as $30 per barrel, the APC-led government will have to downsize or prioritize on the promises it made during the election campaigns. Lai said this to Channels TV.

"When you campaign, you say you’ll do A, B, C, but when you win elections, you’ll priotize. We were elected for a four-year period, not for one year. Things, we hope, will not be bad all through these four years. 

Nanny Arrested In Russia With The Head Of A 4-Year Old Girl She Was Babysitting

A 39 year old woman is being held in Moscow by officers after she walked through streets carrying a child's severed head. The video footage appeared to show the woman walking in the street, looking disorientated and carrying the child's head before her arrest. Reports in Russia claim the woman shouted 'Allahu Akbar' as she was held.

Security agencies rescue Gov. Dickson's sister without ransom

The younger sister of Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has been rescued after spending over two months in the hands of kidnappers.

A statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said 26 year old Nancy Dickson, was rescued on Sunday evening from her abductors without any payment of ransom.

Power generation drops below 3,697MW as power supply worsens

Power generation in the country is yet to improve one week after it was reported to have fallen to 3,697MW.This was from a peak of 5,074 MW achieved earlier in February.

This has worsened power supply, with some of the distribution companies having to appeal to consumers over the development.

The management of EKo Electricity Distribution Plc said the power supply instability within its network was due to inadequate bulk electricity load allocated to the company from the national grid.

Job scam: Court remands ex-Minister, Moro in Kuje Prison

The immediate past Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, was on Monday remanded in Kuje Prison by Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged complicity in a N676m immigration recruitment scam. Also remanded in prison custody was ‎a Deputy Director in the ministry, Mr. F. O Alayebami.

The court took this decision after he pleaded not guilty to an 11-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Justice Chikere, however, granted administrative bail to the 2nd defendant, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia, who was a former ‎Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior when the alleged fraud was committed.

Exchange rate as of today February 29th

This is the official rate of the dollar at the parallel market. 
Photo credit: Instagram@TheGuardian

TUC kicks off promo for Buhari’s second term

Less than one year into his current tenure, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) seems to have ostensibly kicked off a move to campaign for a second tenure of another four years for President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the union, the pace at which President Buhari’s administration is moving, its plan to achieve developmental goals cannot be done in just four years, and will need another four years to bring them to fruition.

TUC President, Boboi Kaigama stated in Jalingo, Taraba State, while speaking on national issues argued that the anti-corruption crusade of Buhari was a welcome development, but that the president would take a long time to lay foundation for good governance.

Budget 2016: Committees submit reports

Of the over 97 Standing Committees of the House of Representatives 60 have since submitted their 2016 budget report, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation Abdulmunin Jibrin, has said.

In a statement obtained by Ripples Nigeria at the weekend and signed by Jibrin, he said the Committee on Appropriation had obtained the reports on the 2016 budget from standing committees of the House (sub-committees to the Committee on Appropriation) Friday, February 26.

In the statement which reads in part, he said: “All 60 substantive -committees presented their reports and recommendations, covering improvements, shortcomings and actions to be taken in their respective MDAs.”

Number portability breach: NCC fines Glo, MTN N34m

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has fined MTN Nigeria and Globacom Ltd a total of N34 million for breach of the Mobile Number Portability business rules and regulations.

The regulatory body made this known in its “2015 Q4 Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Reports’’ obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.

In the report, NCC noted that of the N34 million sanction for number porting breach, Globacom was fined N22 million, while MTN was fined N12 million.

I’m ready to meet you in court – Femi Fani-Kayode replies Sheriff

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has stated that he is set for a legal battle with National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff.

A statement Sunday night by his media aide, Jude Ndukwe, said “We read the newspaper advert in Thisday newspaper in which Ali Modu Sheriff has threatened to sue Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

“Though we have not received a formal letter from his lawyers to that effect we wish to inform him and members of the public that we stand by everything that we have said about Sheriff, we have briefed our lawyers, we welcome the suit and we shall gladly meet him in court.

Fuel scarcity hits Lagos

There was scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol in Lagos during the weekend as long queue of vehicles were spotted at various filling stations across the state.

Observations showed that most fuel stations around the state were permanently under lock and key.

In Ikorodu bus stop, a popular filling station was selling a litre for N115 instead of the official pump price of N86.

N676m NIS recruitment scam: Abba Moro, 4 others to appear in court today

Former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior Anastasia M. Daniel-Nwaobia, a deputy director in the ministry F. A. Aleyebami, one Mahmood Ahmadu (at large) and Drexel Global Technology Limited are to be arraigned before Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court Abuja today February 29th on an 11 count charge ranging from the abuse of procurement process and diversion of public funds.

Abba and the four others allegedly collected N676.6 million from 676,675 job seekers in the Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise in 2014 that led to death of 16 applicants. They were arrested last week Tuesday February 23rd and have been in police detention since then.

91-yr-old ex-CBN Director kidnapped in church

Unidentified gunmen, yesterday, kidnapped 91-year-old retired Director, Foreign Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Chief Joseph Ogedegbe at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Emevor, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State.

It was gathered that the nonagenarian, who retired from the apex bank in 1978, was abducted at about 9a.m. in the church premises as he was alighting from his vehicle.

Diarrhoea Kills 30 Children In Imo

About 30 children have been killed following a fresh outbreak of diarrhoea in Imo State.  According to a post on the Imo State Government Blog, the administration disclosed that diarrhoea is relatively common in remote areas of the state.

“Diarrhoea is relatively common in remote areas of the state, where potable water is often scarce and residents frequently rely on water from unwholesome sources,” the government explained.

'No more home based coaches for Nigeria' - NFF President says as they plan to sue Sunday Oliseh

Nigerian Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has vowed not to employ a foreign coach to take charge of the Super Eagles again after Sunday Oliseh's handling of the job and resignation on social media while he was away at Zurich for FIFA's elections.

Amaju, who christened Sunday Oliseh 'Africa's Pep Guardiola' upon his appointment last year says the era of giving indigenious coaches a chance to head the Super Eagles is over, saying Samson Siasia will take over the team temporarily while the NFF look for the perfect 'foreign' replacement.

Saraki, Dogara Reject N10bn Official Quarters

According to Vanguard, it was also learnt, at the weekend, that Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, have rejected the N10billion voted in the 2016 budget of the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the building of their official quarters, opting for a cut in the vote.

Saraki and Dogara, according to National Assembly sources, last week, agreed that the cost of the buildings should be reduced to one billion Naira each, to save the country N8billion. They were said to have informed the chairmen of the Committees on FCT in both chambers to reflect the decision in their report to the Committees on Appropriation.

Inadequate Funds: Reps Suspend Plan To Purchase Exotic Cars

The House of Representatives has put on hold its plans to purchase 360 exotic cars for its members. Investigations by a Punch correspondent showed that the funds to prosecute the purchase remained the main drawback for the House in taking a final decision on the controversial “utility” or “committee” cars.

“Funding for the cars will come from the 2016 budget. As you are aware, the budget has not been passed. The passage of the budget will decide how much will be available for vehicles,” a House official informed The Punch in Abuja.

Village Headmaster Actor, Joseph Adu Is Dead

One of the actors on the old popular Tv drama, The Village Headmaster, Joseph Adu has died.

Mr Joseph died yesterday at 83 in Abeokuta, Ogun State without his family disclosing what actually killed him.

Apart from playing his role in the Village Headmaster, he was also a film producer.

I’m done with the Super Eagles- Emmanuel Emenike

According to Sportinglife, former Super Eagles forward and West Ham FC of England’s striker who was offered to be the new Super Eagles coach has rejected the offer.

He revealed last night that he's done with the Super Eagles and not going back.

Oscars 2016: Complete List of Winners

The 88th Annual Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 28, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Mad Max won the most awards during the night. It won Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, Best Production Design and Best Makeup and Hair-styling.

Read the complete list of winners below:

Malaria outbreak causes panic in OAU

There is panic among some students Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife on Sunday as malaria fever hit some of their colleagues.

Reports of strange virus went vital on the social media on Sunday. PUNCH visited the school and learnt that although the number of students who had malaria had increased, the situation was not as alarming as it was painted.

Leonardo Dicaprio's Oscars Date Will Be His Mom As ‘The Revenant’ Star Is Tipped To Win At Last

Leonardo DiCaprio’s mum is lined up as his Oscars date on Sunday night. DiCaprio has been linked to many glamorous women but is likely to snub them on what could be the biggest night of his career.

He is hotly tipped to pick up the Best Actor gong – his first Academy Award – for the ­harrowing and brutal hit film The Revenant. He wants proud mum Irmelin Indenbirken, 73, at his side at his moment of triumph.

Ekwueme, Tinubu Bag Honorary Uniabuja Doctorate Degrees

Former Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, and former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, have been conferred with honorary doctorate degrees at the Combined Convocation of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja). 

Ekwueme was however absent but was represented by his daughter, Mrs Chidi Onyemelukwe.

Rashford sinks Arsenal

Teenager Marcus Rashford scored twice and set up the third as Manchester United derailed Arsenal's Premier League title challenge at Old Trafford.

Rashford, who scored twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland on Thursday, steered in a loose ball for the opener then headed in three minutes later.

Danny Welbeck nodded Arsenal back into the game, but Rashford picked out Ander Herrera whose shot was deflected in.

Buhari appoints Thisday’s Sunday Aghaeze‎ as personal assistant

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed, Mr Sunday Aghaeze, as Personal Assistant to the President, State Photographer.

The appointment according to a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, took effect from June 1, 2015.

Aghaeze, an award-winning photo-journalist, prior to his appointment, was a photo editor with THISDAY Newspapers in Abuja.

DJ Timmy comes for BRed

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.

Gianni Infantino Elected New FIFA President

FIFA elect new president in two rounds of voting.

Switzerland's Gianni Infantino has succeeded countryman Sepp Blatter as Fifa president.

Gianni Infantino caused a surprise by polling the most votes in round one of voting in Friday's election to succeed Sepp Blatter as Fifa president.

Institute of Human Virology building opp NNPC Towers, Abuja currently on fire

The building of the Human Virology opp NNPC Towers, Abuja is currently on fire. Men of the Federal Fire service are currently at the scene battling the fire'.

50 Cents baby mama lashes out at him for talking to their son on IG

50 Cent's first baby mama Shaniqua Tompkins lashed out at him on IG today after the rapper dropped a comment on their son Marquise Jackson's IG page to tell him he'll be 20 years in a few months and that he's a grown man and would be fine on his own.

Shaniqua has been at loggerheads with 50 Cent since she sued him for 50 million dollars because she said he had promised to take care of her for life. A judge threw the case out but she's accused him of not paying child support and being mean to their son. 

Read fan reactions after the cut.

Yemi Alade slams internet trolls who are mocking Olajumoke's husband for being the one always carrying their baby

Singer Yemi Alade this afternoon took to her Instagram page to slam Internet trolls who have been mocking Olajumoke's husband for being photographed carrying their child while she enjoys the spotlight. Yemi feels this is not a good development and must be addressed. 

What she wrote after the cut...

'It's good riddance to bad rubbish'- NFF reacts to Sunday Oliseh's resignation

The Nigerian Football Federation has reacted to Sunday Oliseh's resignation as Super Eagles coach. The spokesman of the Federation, Ademola Olajire, in an interview with NTA today, said the federation heard of Oliseh’s resignation in the media and was yet to receive a letter from the coach as at when he was responding to the interview.

“As far as we are concerned, it is good riddance to bad rubbish. He is not the kind of person we though he was. Oliseh is gone and we have to move forward,” Olajire said

3 Men Between Age 58-70 Rape 15-Year Old Girl In Delta

The Police in Delta State have arrested three men, aged 70 years, 65 years and 58 years respectively for severally raping/defiling a 15-year-old girl.

The mother of the girl reported the alleged crime involving the suspects, Kenneth, Ability and Ogwe at the Police Station in Agbor.

Rev King to die by hanging as Supreme Court upholds judgment

The conviction of the General-Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, better known as Reverend King, to die by hanging has been upheld by the Supreme Court, which dismissed his appeal as lacking in merit.

A seven-man panel of Justices ‎of the Supreme Court led by Justice Walter Onnoghen, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday afternoon, affirmed the death sentence that was earlier handed to Ezeugo by the Lagos State High Court.

The court in its lead verdict delivered by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, consequently dismissed the appeal brought before it by the convicted clergy.

Buhari accesses the Ka'abah in Medina

President Buhari who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj, had access into the Ka'aba which is referred to as the most sacred Muslim site in the world. According to some Muslims, this is a rare privilege.

Pure water sellers protest over hike in price in Edo

Women who sell sachet water popularly known as Pure water, staged a protest in Benin city, Edo state yesterday February 25th, over the hike in price of the product. 

Some of them say they now buy a bag of pure water for N 400 and are forced to sell it at N20 as against the N5 they sold it before. And people are no longer patronizing them like they used to.

Return the cash not the cars – EFCC tells Secondus

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus has said he is willing to relinquish the 23 luxury cars he reportedly received from a business associate of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked him to refund to the Federal Government N310 million, being the worth of the vehicles instead.

Report claims that Secondus may, however, remain in the EFCC’s custody for a while because the anti-graft agency is still investigating his relationship with an oil baron.

JAMB: Lagos cancels monthly sanitation

Lagos state government has cancelled tomorrow's monthly environmental sanitation due to the Jamb Examination which is to hold tomorrow Saturday February 27th.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare who announced this in Alausa, Lagos,, however, pointed out that the usual sanitation exercise would still be observed by residents in their homes.

WAEC explains why it charged N1.85m for best students’ data

The West African Examination Council, WAEC, has stated that the charging of a fee for the production of data required by individuals or organisations is the standard practice of the body.

WAEC Public Affairs Officer, Mr Demianus Ojijeogu, yesterday said the council do grant waivers to non-profit and non-governmental organisations for altruistic purposes.

A Lagos-based organisation, EDUBOX, had requested for the list of best student in each state of the country from WAEC, which the exam body charged the organization N1.85m.