The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Directorate Headquarters, Abuja, has slashed the number of prospective Corp members for the next phase of mobilization.

The disclosure was made in a leaked internal memo dated 4th October, 2016 and sent to all heads of departments of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

The memo signed by Mrs Ifeoma Egboka, office of the Dean of Students Affairs, said NYSC explained that the slash was as a result of “tight budgetary allocation of the Scheme”.

It therefore asked the HODs to “work out the percentage of the number 894 (total) for each department”, as against the initial 2,314.

The development may not be unconnnect with the economic recession.

Last month, media and publicity director, NYSC, confirmed that the organisation was in need of funds.

Aderibigbe said that the N10, 500, as budgeted by the government for corp members’ kits, was no longer enough.

“This year for instance, since the Federal Government does not want a situation where youths who are done with tertiary education hang out longer than necessary before having their chance to serve, we were given 260, 000 corps members to mobilise,” she told The Guardian.

“So far, we are left with about 70, 000. Once the present set leaves in October or thereabouts, this outstanding will be taken care of for the year. This is not a hopeless situation as people are made to believe.

“It should be noted that once the federal government gives us the figure to mobilise for a particular year, they back it up with funds to take care of that number.

“We are in need of a lot of funds to ease our operations, but we will continue to cry to the government until the situation improves.”

Recall that in May, the 2016 Batch A Stream 2 was nearly stalled due to lack of funds.

Brig.-Gen. Sulyman Kazaure, NYSC Director-General, laid the complaint when he appeared at a Senate Committee hearing.

Late veteran actress Bukky Ajayi's son Abounce pictured with his fiancee, actress Yvonne Jegede. Abounce shared these loved up selfies and captioned it: "And God has blessed me".

See Yvonne's reply after the cut.

A lecturer in the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology of Bayero University Kano, (BUK), Alhaji AliyuKiri, has been kidnapped in Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna State. Kiri was kidnapped on his way back to Kano from Oyo State where he supervised Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme, (SIWES).

Daily Trust gathered that the car in which the lecturer was traveling was attacked at Birnin-Gwari area by gunmen, who subsequently abducted him.

A text message being circulated among both lecturers and students by the Faculty Social Director, Shuaibu Abdulrasheed reads in part, “our colleague, Saminu Aliyu Kiri (FCSIT staff ) has been kidnapped on his way back from SIWES supervision at Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State. Let’s pray for his safe and immediate release.”

No word has been heard from his abductors.

Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson Okojie shared these cute photos of her three kids, Purity, Henry and Angel, goofing around on her bed. While the older ones were busy painting their faces with powder, her last born, Angel seemed pretty engrossed in the pizza slices.



More photos after the cut.

An inferno has engulfed the university of Jos library. This happened today. The cause of the fire has however not been ascertained. It happened at the permanent site of the University.

President Buhari today attended the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 63 Regular Course, Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna State. More photos after the cut.

Poised to further consolidate its partnership deal with top Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL side, FC Ifeanyi Ubah as well as show its commitment to the partnership, English Premiership club, West Ham United donated the sum of £35,000 to the Anambra State Football Association and Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Nnewi, the alma mater of President of FC Ifeanyi Ubah. Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah.
 
In line with its full support for the Football Made in Anambra '1 Family - 1 Footballer' project billed to kick-off in December 2016, West Ham United donated £30,000 to ANSFA, even as it feted Okongwu Memorial Grammar School with £5,000, all geared towards the development of youths and sports in Anambra State and Nigeria in general.

The Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation also threw the school children into a heightened frenzy, complementing the benevolent gesture of West Ham United, by making a donation of N1million to Okongwu Memorial Grammar School.

Recall that the Hammers' delegation led by Managing Director, Angus Kinnear had earlier been in Lagos, where an interactive session bordering on the essence of the partnership was held with journalists.
 
The contingent led by Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah made their first stop at the Igwe's Palace, where they paid homage to Igwe K.O.N Orizu III (Igwe Nnewi), who was delighted to receive them. They made another stop at Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah's alma mater, Okongwu Memorial Grammar School where they met with ecstatic school children before heading to Ifeanyi Ubah Games

Village for the epoch-making launch of 'Football Made in Anambra' and talent hunt programme.

Speaking at the event, Kinnear described Dr. Ubah as a man of vision and full of ideas. He said "we found FC Ifeanyi Ubah worthy of our partnership as we share the same vision and bright ideas. We are extremely delighted to seal our first partnership in Africa and we could not have made a better choice. Football is not just a game because it has the capacity to turn lives around for the best". He added that his club, West Ham United has a long history of youth football and as such would collaborate with FC Ifeanyi Ubah to develop the budding talents in Nigeria.

A clearly elated Dr. Ubah thanked Mr. Kinnear and WestHam for the confidence reposed on his capacity to boost the WestHam brand in Africa. He noted that he had no doubt that West Ham, who are renowned for having one of the best football academies having produced the likes of Lampard and Rio Ferdinand  would add so much value to the club, adding that Anambra state has so much to benefit from the partnership, particularly the 'Made in Anambra Football' project which is expected to engage 50, 000 families in the state.
The event was graced by the supportive presence of the H.E. The Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano, ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Solochukwu Lobelu, HRH Igwe K.O.N III (Igwe of Nnewi), who was presented with a West Ham jersey, accompanied by some members of his cabinet, Crown Prince, Obi Orizu, Senator Alphonsus Igbeke, two time African footballer of the year and Olympic Gold Medalist, Kanu Nwankwo, Managing Director of My Radio FM, Ambassador Uche Ogbuagu, Nollywood actor and comedian, Mr Ibu amongst a host of others from the entertainment industry.
 
Highlight of the Nnewi visit was the unveiling of the Football Made in Anambra Project, which saw over 1,000 school children from across the 21 local government areas in Anambra State, fully kitted in their Football Made in Anambra jerseys. It became a day to remember for the school kids when Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah announced that the jerseys, soccer boots and footballs that were given to them for the event were gifts from the Anambra Football Association, stating that it was the first step toward actualizing the 1 Family - 1 Footballer initiative.
 
More photos...

The crown prince of Benin, His Royal Highness, Eheneden Erediauwa, on Saturday began his procession from his Edaiken palace in Uselu, Egor Local Government Area of Edo, to Oredo, as part of activities lined up for his coronation as the new Oba of Benin Kingdom. The ‎crown prince, who is also the Edaiken N’Uselu, began the procession at about 3:45pm according to Alexander Okere.

See more photo below..

Memorabilia company, Moments In Time have announced that they are auctioning off the Bible that Tupac read while in Clinton Correctional Facility, New York.

The Auction house has The Life Recovery Bible, which they apparently obtained from a member of the rapper’s family. The rapper spent nine months as an inmate at the maximum security prison on segxwal assault charges in 1995.

He signed his name along with his inmate number on the bible and if you recall, he gave the prison a shout out on his song “Hail Mary” rapping,“To my homeboys in Clinton Max doing their bid / Raise hell to this real shit and feel this.”

The bible is up for sale for $54,000. If the bible sells, which undoubtedly it will, the estate of Tupac Shakur will get the majority of the profits.

A Nigerian Twitter user has sparked outrage after he said rapists should not be blamed for segxwal assaults. Rather, God who knew a year ago that the rape was going to happen and did NOTHING to prevent it should be held responsible.

Demi is arguing that yes, being raped is also unfortunate. But then. since God allowed it to happen, that means it was His will. So the victim should give thanks, all of us should give thanks and blame God for allowing it happen.

Inshort, please read his tweets yourself and let us know if you were able to put sentiments aside and understand what he's saying.









SMH! May God forgive you bcos you don't know what you are saying!

 
 
Orobosa Igbinedion, daughter of Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, and Umar Ibrahim-Mantu, son of Ibrahim Mantu, the former Deputy Senate President from Plateau state had their wedding Fatiyya yesterday Friday, October 7th in Abuja after getting married traditionally on September 24th in Benin.

The stunning bride wore a lovely flowing gown designed by London-based couture, Ralph and Russo, while her bridesmaids, Tania Omotayo and Nene Ibru looked fabulous in their matching shimmery, figure-hugging golden dresses. See more after the cut..

A Wedding Fatiya [Or Fatiha, depending on preference] is a ceremony where the bride's family hosts a reception in their home. The groom then formally asks for the bride's hand in marriage from her father or the eldest man in the family.










Groom

DJ Cuppy and Temi Otedola, daughters of Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola held African Art, Music & Fashion showcase in London at the International auction house, Bonhams, London on October 4, 2016, in partnership with Aliko Dangote's Dangote Foundation.

The event had lots of dignitaries which included the richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote, Alex Amosu, Tinie Tempah, Burna Boy, Ola Aina, Wilfried Zaha and Victor Anichebe and were given an update on the Dangote Foundation's vital charitable work in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

There was also a fashion presentation brought together by Temi Otedola while the evening was wrapped up with a set by internationally recognised and ever pretty DJ Cuppy. See more beautiful photo after the cut..

Tolu and her fiance Olushola @eazy034 are getting married soon. She's a superwoman that can comfortably carry her husband. Well, see her in action. lol

More photos of the adorable couple after cut;



Dear Nigerian men, would you let bae carry you on her back for your prewedding shoot?

A $AUD 800,000 Ferrari became stuck in flood waters caused by heavy rains in Bangkok, Thailand this week. Photos of the luxury sports car that became submerged in the middle of Ngam Wong Wan road in Thailand's capital city of Bangkok, were posted to social media on Tuesday by Evo Magazine Thai Edition.

The list of repairs include everything from new floor carpets to replacement electronic control systems for the seat. The magazine estimated the repairs to cost about $80,000.

See more photos after the cut..

Popular transgender beauty queen Miss Sahhara is pictured below with her fellow transgender queen Miss Slovakia during the 2016 Miss Trans Star International pageant that recently held in Spain. Miss Saharra, former name is Clifford Oche, shared the photos on her Facebook page and gushed:

With my beloved sister and partner in crime Paris (Miss Slovakia) 

These brides and their girls are totally killing it.

These photos of excited brides and their team of bridesmaids and friends will put an extra cheer to your day.

1. This fun-loving group



2. These military women



3. The happiness here is palpable



4. May your joy know no bounds like theirs



5. Friends that pray together succeed together



6. Squad goals!



7. We’re here for this creative bunch



8. This beautiful bride and her loyal bridesmaids are everything!



9. Just in time for a quick selfie



10. Talk about creative!



11. So much gorgeousness in one photo



12. Women love aso ebi!

The American singer and her 4-year daughter Blue Ivy is currently buzzing the internet with these adorable photos.

See more after the cut...

Fashionista and writer, Maceleegree, drew her inspiration from Kim in this see-through dress. Who rocked it better.

See more photos after the cut.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has decided to withdraw the charge of criminal conspiracy leveled against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.
It was gathered that an affidavit in support of the motion was filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday by a litigation officer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Odubu Loveme, Premium Times is reporting.

Saraki and Ekweremadu, as well as a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former Deputy clerk, Ben Efeturi, were first arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu on June 10, 2016 via charge No. CR/219/16.

In the motion filed Thursday, Mr. Loveme said counsel to the Federal Government on the matter, Aliyu Umar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, on September 30 in the office of the Director of Public Prosecution told him that he had studied the case diary and “had decided to amend the charge in the manner stated on the face of the motion paper”.

Mr. Loveme added that he has, consequently, filed an amended charge.

“That I depose to this affidavit in good faith believing same to be correct to the best of my knowledge and in accordance with the Oaths Act Cap 01 laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” he said.

Based on the amended charge, only Maikasuwa and Efeturi would face prosecution.

Count 1 of the charge against the two civil servants is that of Criminal Conspiracy, punishable under section 97 (1) Penal Code Act ( Northern States) Federation Provisions Act, 1960, Cap 345, laws of the Federation 1990 as amended.

It read that “Salisu Maikasuwa and Benedict Efeturi, on or about the 9th day of June 2015 at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court agreed to do an illegal act, to wit to make the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended without the authority of the 7th Senate of the Federal republic of Nigeria which act was committed by yourselves and that you thereby committed the offence of criminal conspiracy.”

The two officials are accused of fraudulently amending the 2015 Senate Standing Orders without the authority of the 7th Senate “with intention that the Senators elect of the 8th Senate would believe that the said Senate Standing Orders 2015 ( as amended) was made by the authority of the 7th Senate of the Federal republic of Nigeria.”

They are also accused of forging a document punishable under section 366 of the Penal Code Act ( Northern States) Federal Provisions Act, 1960, Cap 345, Laws of the Federation 1990 ( as amended).

Speaking in an exclusive interview with LIB on Thursday, October 6, popular Nollywood actor and model, Ikechukwu Mitchel Ogbonna, widely known as IK Ogbonna revealed his highest temptation since coming into prominence as he narrated how he strived so hard to get to the top.


I K Ogbonna