A young man named Emeka had been crushing on a beautiful girl in his neighbourhood for almost six months.

One Saturday evening, he finally gathered the courage to approach her.

He dressed like someone going for a presidential dinner, sprayed perfume from head to toe and borrowed his friend's expensive wristwatch.

As he approached her, he remembered advice he had seen online: "Women love confident men."

So he walked towards her confidently and said:

"Hello beautiful, do you believe in love at first sight, or should I pass again?"

The girl smiled and replied, "You can pass again."

Emeka was excited. He turned around, walked away and came back.

This time, he said, "How about now?"

The girl looked at him and said, "Sorry, I was actually talking to the man behind you."

Emeka turned around and saw a handsome young man standing behind him.

He immediately lost confidence.

But that wasn't even the worst part!

As he tried to walk away with dignity, the borrowed wristwatch fell from his hand and landed inside a gutter.

He quickly shouted, "Jesus! My destiny!"

The girl burst into laughter.

Emeka looked at her and said, "Please, can you help me? That watch belongs to my friend, and he doesn't know I'm wearing it!"

Till today, his friends still call him Mr. Love at First Sight! 😂😂

QUESTION FOR YOU

If you were Emeka, would you still try to approach that girl again, or would you relocate to another neighbourhood? 😂

Drop your advice for Emeka in the comment section!

UNIBEN ACCOMMODATION CRISIS: Is Finding a Hostel Becoming More Expensive Than Paying School Fees?

For many University of Benin (UNIBEN) students, getting accommodation for the 2026/2027 academic session is becoming another major financial headache.

While on-campus hostel fees have remained relatively stable compared to the previous session, securing a bed space is still a challenge due to limited availability and high demand.

For students who cannot secure university accommodation, Ekosodin remains a popular alternative. However, the story is not encouraging. Rent prices have reportedly increased, with single rooms now going for as much as ₦200,000, while modern self-contained apartments can cost between ₦450,000 and ₦650,000.

And that's not all. Agency, legal and caution fees can push the total payment even higher.

For students whose parents or guardians are already struggling with tuition, feeding, transportation and other expenses, finding a decent place to stay is becoming increasingly difficult.

The big question is: Is Ekosodin still an affordable student community, or is it gradually becoming a residential area only for students with deep pockets?*

Let's hear from UNIBEN students!

How much are you paying for accommodation this session, and do you think UNIBEN should do more to provide affordable hostel spaces for students?

One thing that catches many people off guard when applying for a visa is the issue of proof of funds. You may have your international passport, admission letter, travel plans and even a confirmed accommodation arrangement, but your visa application can still face challenges if you cannot provide the required financial evidence.

So, what exactly is proof of funds?

It is evidence that you have enough money or reliable financial support to cover the expenses associated with your intended travel, study or stay abroad.

However, the requirements are not the same for every visa route.

Here are a few things to understand:

📌 Student visa: Some countries require evidence that you can pay your tuition fees and support yourself throughout the required period.

📌 Visitor visa: You may need to show that you can afford your trip, including accommodation, feeding, transportation and other expenses.

📌 Work visa: Some work routes have different financial requirements, while others may not require personal savings if the employer meets specific conditions.

📌 Sponsored applications: Where sponsorship is permitted, you may need documents showing who is sponsoring you and whether they can genuinely support your expenses.

📌 Bank statements: Immigration authorities may request statements covering a specific period. Large unexplained deposits or inconsistent financial records can raise concerns.

The important thing is not to assume that the amount someone used for their visa application will automatically work for yours.

Always check the official immigration requirements for your specific destination and visa category before moving money around or submitting an application.

Let's discuss: If you were planning to apply for a visa today, would you know how much money you need to show as proof of funds?

For those currently researching relocation or study opportunities abroad, what do you find most confusing about financial requirements?

Share your thoughts, concerns or anything you've learnt. Someone else might be asking the same questions.

Join the conversation on OurPalaver: https://www.ourpalaver.com

‎Barcelona beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano on Sunday, coming from behind to stay top of La Liga. Giuliano Simeone gave Atlético the lead in the 10th minute, but Fermín López equalised just before half-time and scored the winner in the 66th minute from a Lamine Yamal pass. Julián Álvarez missed a one-on-one chance to make it 2-0 for Atlético, whose seven-match league winning run ended. Barcelona lead the table on 33 points, three clear of Real Madrid, with Atlético third on 28.

‎Was this the win that puts Barcelona in control of the title race?

I'm back with another experience. This is one that used to make my head boil whenever I thought about it, but I guess I've moved on because I can now only laugh at the whole situation.

So, do you remember when Instagram was still so hot and sliding into people's DMs was a big deal?

Well, I had this guy slide into my DM, and we became friendly quite quickly.

He seemed like a nice fellow. He had a good, stable job and came across as polite, so I thought there was no harm in getting to know him better.

After chatting for a while, we finally decided to meet.

To be precise, he asked me out on a date.

Now, silly me! With all the Hollywood and Korean dramas I had watched by then, I had certain expectations. #delulu

I mean, if someone uses the word "date," I would expect, well, not necessarily the most extravagant outing, but at least something thoughtful and a little special, right?

He agreed to pick me up from my office, which I thought was nice.

But the moment he arrived, I realised this guy had absolutely no plans for our date.

On our way to God knows where, he received a phone call from his friend and suddenly decided we were going to hang out with his friends instead.

I wasn't particularly pleased because I thought this was supposed to be an intimate meeting for the two of us to get to know each other better.

Anyway, we got to the place. It was an open space, more like a lounge setting with a DJ.

I still said, okay, let's trust this process.

Then came the menu.

Tell me why this man didn't even give me the menu to look at. He went ahead and ordered a drink for me (which I protested afterwards, but I was still doing nice girl).

And drumroll, please...

He ordered a plate of jerk chicken and chips for us to share.

Now, this wasn't even a platter. Just one plate of food for two people.

Mind you, I hadn't had dinner, so I genuinely couldn't understand why I didn't get a say in what I wanted to eat or why we were sharing one plate in the first place.

Anyway, throughout this so-called date, or should I say hangout, he was gisting with me and his friends. His friends were actually quite friendly and contributed to the conversations.

I thought, well, bad as e bad, at least we're all getting along.

But tell me why this guy suddenly accused me of sitting in a way that made my legs face his friend.

WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN????

I mean, if you are insecure about your friend, why would you bring me along to hang out with him on our very first meeting?

We had quite an argument, and that was when I said, "Omo, I don try. It is time to go home."

But wait, there was still one more thing.

To add insult to injury, he insisted I should use his Uber.

I initially thought he was being nice and trying to arrange my ride home.

My dear, what he was actually offering was that he had about ₦400 off his Uber fare, and I could send him the balance when I got home.

OGA OOOOO!

At this point, I didn't even know whether to laugh or cry.

I told him not to bother, opened my Uber app, ordered my own ride and went home.

And that was that!

Looking back, I think that experience taught me to manage my expectations, but more importantly, not to ignore my discomfort just because I was trying to be a nice girl.

You can imagine how many things I had quietly overlooked just to keep the date going.

But please, I want to know: Have you ever been on a date that you genuinely wished you could erase from your memory?

Because I have a feeling I'm not alone.

And that's just my two cents.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the political atmosphere is heating up. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be seeking re-election, while opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Omoyele Sowore are among the prominent names in the conversation.

With rising food prices, unemployment, insecurity and the high cost of living, Nigerians want to know what the next four years will look like.

THE PEOPLE'S DEBATE:

What should Nigeria's next president prioritise first: fixing the economy, creating jobs, tackling insecurity or reducing the cost of living?

Let's hear your views. Bring facts, challenge opinions and keep it respectful!

A pastor reportedly arrived in Uromi, Edo State, to host a crusade and allegedly instructed worshippers to drop their phones at the altar before the prayers began.

But while the congregation was deep in prayer, the pastor allegedly disappeared with the phones.

Several worshippers were reportedly left stranded, with some women seen crying bitterly after realising what had happened.

Imagine going to church to pray and leaving without your phone. 😳

‎Last month, a man received his salary like he normally did. His monthly pay was ₦250,000, but when he checked his account, he saw ₦2.5 million. He immediately realized something was wrong. His employer had apparently transferred an extra ₦2.25 million into his account. He decided to wait and see if his boss would contact him.

‎One day passed. Nothing. Two days passed. Still nothing. By the third day, HR asked him to come in for a meeting. His boss looked at him and asked, “Have you checked your salary?” He said yes. Then his boss explained that the extra money wasn't meant for him. It was supposed to be sent to the family of a colleague who had recently passed away.

‎

‎The late man's wife had reportedly been contacting the company for weeks, asking for financial assistance for herself and their children. She had even sent a heartbreaking message saying, “Please, sir. My children haven't eaten properly since their father died.” The employee was shocked. What made things worse was that he had already spent ₦600,000 from the money.

‎

‎He immediately offered to return whatever was left and asked for the company's account details. But his boss stopped him. Then he revealed something the employee wasn't expecting: before the colleague died, he had recommended this man for a promotion and described him as one of the most honest people in the office. The boss looked at him and said, “I wanted to believe him. Yesterday, you gave me a reason not to.”

‎

‎That moment wasn't really about ₦2.25 million anymore. It was about integrity. Sometimes your character is tested when you find yourself holding something that doesn't belong to you and nobody seems to be watching. You might get away with keeping the money, but you could lose something far more valuable trust, opportunities, and your reputation.

‎

‎If you suddenly discovered that your employer had mistakenly paid you ₦2.25 million extra, and nobody had contacted you for three days, what would you honestly do?

Getting posted to Delta State is just the beginning of another chapter of your NYSC journey. After the excitement of camp, you'll have to settle into a new environment, understand how things work and find your feet. Whether you're serving in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, Sapele, Agbor or another part of the state, here are some practical things worth knowing.

📌 Know your surroundings: Once you arrive at your PPA, take time to understand the area. Locate nearby markets, hospitals, pharmacies, banks and other important places.

📌 Plan your transportation: Don't assume movement will cost the same everywhere. Find out the available transport options and how much you'll need for daily movement, especially if your PPA is far from where you stay.

📌 Be mindful of accommodation: If you're looking for a place to stay, ask questions about rent, electricity, water supply, security and distance to your PPA before making any payment.

📌 Understand your PPA: Get familiar with your responsibilities, working hours and expectations. Build a good relationship with your supervisor and colleagues, and take your assignments seriously.

📌 Manage your monthly allowance: Budget for feeding, transportation, accommodation and personal needs. Try not to spend everything immediately after receiving your allowance.

📌 Explore the state: Delta has different communities, cultures and local delicacies. Be willing to learn, meet people and enjoy the experience while respecting local customs.

📌 Build your network: Connect with other corps members, especially those who have been serving in your area. Their experiences and advice can make settling down much easier.

Your service year is not just about completing your NYSC duties. It's also an opportunity to learn, build relationships, develop useful skills and experience life in a different environment.

For corps members currently serving or those who have completed their service in Delta State, what's one practical thing you think every incoming corps member should know?

Share your experience. Your advice could save someone unnecessary stress during their service year.

Join the conversation on OurPalaver: https://www.ourpalaver.com

As we all saw what happened with the cultism riot and the military guy, management has finally stepped in.

Management has given a very strict warning — anybody wey still dey do cultism should stop now. Any student caught in cultism or any cult-related activity will be expelled, no second chance.

They have also given the military the upper hand to deal with anybody caught. So if you are caught, na your own you do yourself.

Management also assured us that the school environment will be peaceful again. We know many students don run go house because of fear, but make una calm down, dem dey handle am.

Make we all just stay safe and avoid trouble. School na to read book, no be to join wahala.

‎The Premier League gave us a weekend that nobody predicted. Results went against the form book across the board, and the table looks very different heading into the international break.

‎Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City 3-1 at the City Ground, leaving City with three straight league defeats and lifting Forest out of the bottom three. Sunderland got their first league win since August by beating Chelsea 1-0, a result that dropped Chelsea to fifth after their second league defeat in three games.

‎At Old Trafford, Manchester United and Aston Villa played out a 4-4 thriller in which Villa led 2-0 inside four minutes and 4-2 in the second half, before Patrick Dorgu's header in the 96th minute saved a point for United. Elsewhere, Noah Okafor scored 97 seconds after coming on to give Leeds a 1-0 win over Spurs, and Bournemouth won their eighth straight game in all competitions at Ipswich.

‎So we want to hear from you: which result shocked you most? Was it Forest over City, Sunderland over Chelsea, United and Villa's 4-4 draw, Leeds over Spurs or Bournemouth's winning run?

‎Drop your pick in the comments and tell us why.

The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has unveiled plans for the construction of a new Professorial Building comprising four lecture halls and office facilities as part of its efforts to strengthen teaching and learning infrastructure across the University.

Speaking during the foundation laying ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, charged the contractor to ensure strict adherence to the approved architectural and structural specifications, warning against any form of compromise capable of undermining the quality, safety and durability of the building.

He particularly cautioned against poor construction practices, including structural cracks and defective plumbing installations, stressing that the University expected a facility that would stand the test of time. this was disclosed at the foundation laying ceremony held at Ikole campus on Tuesday 3rd November, 2026.

He assured the University that the company would deploy its professional expertise and resources to deliver the project within the stipulated eight-month period in accordance with approved specifications and required standards.

So my fellow FUOYEITES , what do you think of this new infrastructure that our Vice Chancellor is working on?

Monday, 9th November 2026

From Nigeria's political battles and economic challenges to security concerns, sports and major international developments, here are today's top headlines.

POLITICS

1. 2027 Elections: ADC crisis deepens as Keyamo predicts Atiku may miss ballot; INEC awaits court judgment.

2. Obi vs Tinubu: Peter Obi criticises Tinubu over rising insecurity and poverty as opposition consensus plan collapses.

3. Delta Violence: One dead, five injured as political rally turns violent in Asaba.

4. ₦120 Trillion Debt: Presidency denies borrowing allegations against Tinubu.

5. Infrastructure: Tinubu targets December 3 for Kaduna–Kano rail inauguration; Bodo–Bonny Road commissioned.

6. INEC: Commission considers AI technology to detect underage and duplicate voter registrations.

7. Benue Politics: Governor Alia warns politicians against violence and hate speech.

ECONOMY & POWER

1. World Bank Loan: FG seeks fresh $500 million loan and secures $200 million for fisheries.

2. Electricity Crisis: ₦4 trillion power sector debt mounts as NNPC and NISO trade blame over blackouts.

3. Oil Production: Pipeline outages delay 42.6 million barrels of crude oil.

4. Workers' Strike: Osun workers begin strike over withheld LG funds as NLC demands salary negotiations.

5. Relief Payments: SERAP demands transparency over NERSI's ₦50,000 relief payments.

SECURITY

1. Zamfara Tragedy: Bandits reportedly burn 12 members of a family alive.

2. Borno Operations: Nigerian Army rescues 119 civilians and recovers eight vehicles from terrorists.

3. Military Shake-up: Nigerian Air Force redeploys 41 Air Vice Marshals.

4. Drug Trafficking: NDLEA arrests Ugandan woman allegedly carrying 1.15kg of cocaine.

SOCIAL & HUMAN INTEREST

1. Lagos Tragedy: Barber dies a day after release from 28-day police detention.

2. Campus Tragedy: Babcock University student dies after falling from hostel window.

3. Migration Crisis: Former President Obasanjo blames poor leadership for deadly migration.

⚽ SPORTS

1. Super Eagles: Nigeria prepares for Tanzania clash as coach Eric Chelle joins national team assignment.

2. Victor Osimhen: Striker's return remains uncertain following knee surgery.

3. Youth Olympics: Nigeria reportedly wins two gold medals.

4. Premier League: Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3–0; Manchester United draw 4–4 with Aston Villa; Chelsea lose 1–0 to Sunderland.

5. Boxing: Tyson Fury's reported injury unlikely to derail potential Anthony Joshua fight.

🌍 WORLD NEWS

1. Middle East Tensions: Reported Houthi attacks on Riyadh spark outrage as Aramco building sustains minor damage.

2. Yemen Conflict: Coalition reportedly destroys Houthi missile launchers.

3. Israel–Iran: Israel says its mission against Iran remains unfinished.

4. Diplomatic Relations: Egypt reopens Tripoli embassy after 12 years; US reportedly expels Lebanese diplomat.

5. Egypt Tragedy: Train collision reportedly kills four and injures dozens.

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued guidelines for virtual asset providers in the country, setting minimum capital requirement of N10 billion and N15 billion for Classes 1 and 2 issuers, respectively.

This was contained in a circular with reference number PSP/DIR/PUB/CIR/001/004, date November 5, 2026 and signed by the Director of Payments Systems Policy, Mr. Musa Jimoh.

According to the bank, “A Class 1 Licensed Issuer shall maintain paid-up capital of N10 billion Naira or such higher amount as the Bank may prescribe, on entry and at all times thereafter. Class 2 Licensed Issuer shall maintain minimum paid-up capital of N15 billion or such higher amount as the Bank may prescribe, on entry and at all times thereafter.

“Both classes shall comply with the capital deposit and corresponding evidence and supplementary requirements in Section 17. There is no offshore issuer exemption from incorporation, licensing or capital.”

The Class 2 stablecoins are digital tokens designed to maintain a stable value against foreign currencies, including the US dollar, while Class 1 refers to issuers of naira-referenced stablecoins.

CBN said the emergence of virtual assets, stablecoins, and tokenised payment instruments “presents significant opportunities for innovation in payments, remittances, settlement, and digital commerce,” but that, “their growing adoption also introduces risks relating to financial stability, monetary policy, consumer protection, illicit finance, operational resilience, and foreign exchange management

It added that the guidelines were issued pursuant to its statutory mandate to promote monetary and financial stability and regulate Nigeria’s payments system.

“These Guidelines establish a risk-based framework for the licensing, regulation, supervision, and oversight of Non-Security Virtual Assets, including stablecoins, Deposit Money Tokens (DMTs), and related Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).

These Guidelines seek to support responsible innovation while safeguarding the integrity, stability, and efficiency of the Nigerian financial system.

“These Guidelines also seek to provide regulatory requirements relating to governance, prudential standards, consumer protection, operational resilience, AML/CFT/CPF compliance, and reporting obligations for entities and persons engaged in regulated non-security virtual asset activities within or involving Nigeria,” the bank explained.

The CBN’s updated framework outlines clear boundaries for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), with a sharp focus on foreign exchange liquidity, consumer protection, and peer-to-peer (P2P) trading identity protocols.

The guidelines place great responsibilities on issuers to ensure that their activities do not aid money laundering or terrorism financing, as they are required to provide detailed data on their customers.

To avert it from being used for money laundering on terrorism financing, the CBN said “A provider shall maintain criteria, approved by its board and notified to the Bank, for identifying a customer that buys, sells or exchanges Regulated Tokens on the Person-to-Person (P2P) Service as a business, having regard to transaction volume, frequency, number of counterparties and advertising of rates.

“The provider shall apply enhanced due diligence and transaction limits to such customer and report the customer to the Bank under Section 10.8. Such identification shall not constitute authorisation to conduct a regulated activity. A customer conducting an activity requiring authorisation shall obtain the applicable licence or authorisation, cease the activity, or operate as an agent of the provider under Section 21, as the Bank may direct.”

Among others, the objectives, the apex bank said were to: establish a comprehensive, risk-based regulatory framework governing the issuance, distribution, conversion, custody, transfer, redemption and settlement of Non-Security Virtual Assets, including stablecoins and Deposit Money Tokens; preserve the effectiveness of the Bank’s monetary policy instruments and its capacity to monitor and manage capital flows and foreign exchange dynamics; and protect holders and consumers from issuer insolvency, reserve or backing mismanagement, redemption denial, fraud and other conduct risks; safeguard the stability and integrity of the Nigerian financial system.

The regulations applied to Naira-Referenced Stablecoins; Foreign Currency-Referenced Stablecoins; Deposit Money Tokens (DMTs); Other Designated Tokens determined by the CBN to fall within its mandate over payments, settlement, foreign exchange, banking or financial stability; and any other token designated by the bank as a Regulated Token under these Guidelines.