As part of efforts to stop militant activities in the Niger Delta and attacks on oil installations, Pres. Buhari will on Tuesday November 1st visit the region where he is scheduled to meet with stakeholders and leaders from the region. His visit is prelude to the launch of a $10 billion infrastructure rebirth investment programme for the region.

Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, who revealed President Buhari's scheduled visit to the region, said

"On Tuesday, President Buhari in his Kind nature will have a meeting with the Niger Delta stakeholders. About 50 of them are going to be coming to that meeting. and it comprises all the kings drawn from all the oil producing states"he said

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/buhari-to-visit-niger-delta-on-tuesday.html

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Thousands of stigmatized 'Witch Children' have found refuge at CRARN center, in Akwa Ibom. The children were branded as "witches" by church ministers and have been cast out by their families and shunned by society.

One of them is six-year-old Israel Effiong, from Ikot Uso Ekong, Eket, who was accused of being responsible for his father's illness. Fearing for his life, he ran away and hid in a bush for a year before he was rescued by Edoho,a volunteer with the organisation.
Edoho, himself is former child at CRARN Children Center. He now serves as one of the volunteers who rescue children to the centre.

"When my father became ill and taken to a hospital, my stepmom asked if I knew anything about his illness. I told her that I could not think of anything bad about my father because he's the supporting me," Effiong recounts.

"When his illness took a turn for the worst, my stepmom became angry with me.
In the nights, she'll wake me up, tie my hands and legs then poured wild ants all over my body while asking me to relieve my dad from the witches coven. At times she would tie my hand and legs, began to hit my heads with sticks and electrical wires.
She stopped giving me food and locked me out of the house. I went and told the neighbors living close to us. She said she could not allow me to stay with her because my stepmother will be angry with her.

"The people living around us began to hate me and asked not to come close to their children. I went and slept in the village town hall. One night, some men came and saw me there, they brought me out and asked me to dance as witches. When I told them that I didn't know witches dance, they used sticks and matches to beat me. A man who was passing by came and told them not kill me. They left me and warned me not come there again. I went and stayed in a bush and be coming out in the night to pick up leftover from the market garbage

"One day, I was tired and slept off in the market, a boy by name Edoho came and saw me there and told me he would come back and take me to a safe place where other children like me are living. I told him where I normally stay in the bush.
Yesterday, he came and took me the CRARN Children Center, Eket. I'm very glad to stay here because I would go to school again and sleep without fear of the unknown."

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-6yr-old-effiong-lived-in-bush.html

President Buhari's wife, Aisha was pictured with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara with Senate President's wife, Toyin Saraki at Heathrow Airport as Aisha Buhari awaits her flight to Abuja. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-aisha-buhari-dogara-and-toyin.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

It was all fun and intriguing during the 3 Thrones Concert when Tiwa Savage paused during her performance to seek marital counsel.

Tiwa Savage and mother of one, decided to ask for some advice on love and marriage from singing duo and couple Tunde and Wumni Obe. The singing couple have been married for 20 years.♠
During TiwaSavage’s performance at the monarchical-themed concert; ‘#3Thrones’ held on Sunday, 23rd of October, 2016 at EKO Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos; the singer brought out celebrity couple Tunde and Wunmi Obe to ask a number of questions regarding their laudable marital bliss.

Tiwa halted her performance to comment on the scourge of failed marriages among young couples before she went on to ask the couple the secret to their successful married life. A question to which Wunmi quickly replied; “I married the man I love – he’s my friend and everything.” The venerated couple further remarked; “Mutual respect is also very important to a marriage. Communication, patience, tolerance are also imperative”. “Most importantly; the only third party allowed in your life should be God and no one else” the couple concluded in unison.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/tiwa-savage-seeks-marital-advice-may.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Some aggrieved party faithfuls, on Monday, stormed the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protest what they tagged: stolen mandate.

The state government in reaction to the protest issued an executive warning to members Of The Edo Political Forum and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to go about their protest peacefully and lawfully.

The state government warned that any destruction of the state infrastructure and basic amenities arising from the protest will not be tolerated.

The state government explained that the social amenities and infrastructure enjoyed today became possible through taxation, donations, incentives and political Will.

The state government further warned that it will not be happy to see what she has built over 7 years be destroyed, and advised aggrieved parties or individuals to visit a court of competent Jurisdiction for a redress.

The state government reiterated that it will not hesitate to deal with groups or individuals who disobey the laws of the Land.

Photo below:

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photo-edo-residents-beat-drum-of-war.html

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Market women under the aegis of Uselu Market Women Association, on Monday, protested what they described as “act of wickedness” being perpetuated by the authorities of Egor local government council in Edo State.

The market women blocked the Uselu/Ugbowo section of the Benin-Lagos highway over plans by the local government to relocate them.

The protesters resisted the directive to move to lock-up stores built by the local government. The aggrieved women, displayed placards and blocked both sides of the highway, preventing commuters and motorists from carrying out their daily activities.

The women said the N1.2 million charged for the stalls was too much for them to pay given the type of businesses they do.

The women said their problem was compounded by the action of the local government, which commenced the removal of their local shops on Monday.

All efforts to get reaction from authorities of Egor local government proved abortive, as the council’s Head of Service was said to be unavailable.

When the council’s spokesman, Prisca Ebvadiaro, was contacted, she said she was not authorised to comment on the issue.

See photos below:


http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-market-women-protest-block-benin.html

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Governor Ambode of Lagos, Governor Ajimobi of Oyo, Governor Aregbesola of Osun and other dignitaries at the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials Conference. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-ambode-ajimobi-and-aregbesola-at.html

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Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presiding over by President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-buhari-presides-over-federal.html

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has mourned the demised of Ken Saro Wiwa Junior.

Saro-Wiwa Jr. died yesterday in a London hospital after a brief illness.



Saro-Wiwa Jr was born in 1968 and was an international journalist, an author and later served as adviser to Nigeria's former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan on his social media platform said: “A bright star has been prematurely plucked from the Nigerian firmament. Ken Wiwa, like his father was a patriot. Adieu great son of Nigeria”.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/goodluck-jonathan-mourns-ken-saro-wiwa.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has told the Federal Government to pay attention to hunger and suffering ravaging Nigeria and its people and leave him alone, saying; “This project ‘Fayose must be implicated at all cost’ will definitely not put food on the tables of Nigerians and for all I care, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its collaborators can keep running from pillar to post while I keep delivering good governance to Ekiti and its people.”

The governor, who dismissed the reported claim that former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro confessed to the EFCC that he received fund from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) to fund his election, said; “We have gone pass this stage of media trial, EFCC should rather keep its gun powder dry, when we get to the bridge, we will cross it. They said more than this in the 2006 poultry scam blackmail, despite that, I am the governor today.”

According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said he was only reacting just to fulfil all righteousness because Nigerians were more interested in having food on their tables, adding that; “those who arranged the dramatic and compromised return of Senator Obanikoro to Nigeria obviously did so in continuation of their project ‘Fayose must be implicated at all cost’ but I am not bothered because my election was legitimately funded.

“However, if this is why they are intimidating judges and the judiciary, it won’t work as far as my own matter is concerned as no one can play God.

“As far as I am concerned, I am busy here in Ekiti attending to the welfare and well-being of my people. I won’t be distracted.”

While challenging the EFCC to also beam its searchlights on the funding of APC elections, Governor Fayose said; “Since we are now in the era in which financial assistance from Nigerians to fund elections is being criminalised, the international community, especially those funding EFCC must insist that the commission probes the funding of APC elections before further funds are released to the commission.”

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/efcc-probe-wont-distract-me-fayose.html

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More at http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-osinabjo-saraki-and-dino-melaye.html

Vice President, Prof Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, CCT chairman, Danladi of CCT and Senate Dino Melaye were pictured at an anti corruption workshop in Abuja yesterday. See photos below


http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-osinabjo-saraki-and-dino-melaye.html

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Senator Dino Melaye was pictured together with the Code of Conduct Tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar today.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/sen-dino-melaye-pictured-with-cct-boss.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

The crown prince of Benin of Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Eheneden Erediauwa, has symbolically wrestled with the Chief Priest of Okhuaihe shrine, Osarodion Usuanlele.


The ‘wrestling’ is a traditional rite for the coronation of Prince Eheneden as the 39th Oba of Benin.

The crown prince symbolically fought with the Usuanlele, who is also the Ohen N’ Ukoni Neyedo, on Saturday evening.

Both of them also proceeded to the sacred forest in the community, where some rites were performed.

After the ceremonial bout, both of them went their opposite ways and were not expected to see each other again after the crown prince becomes the Oba.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/benin-crown-prince-wrestles-with-chief.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

A number of Nigerian students in Russia have literally been left in the cold in Moscow by the federal government and the Nigerian embassy in the Russian capital.

The students are beneficiaries of the Bilateral Educational Agreement with Russia, a scholarship initiative of the Nigerian government managed by the education ministry which provides funding for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in selected countries.

The students have accused the federal government of neglect and failing to keep its promises towards them.

They allege that their monthly stipends have been left unpaid since October 2015, a situation that has exposed them to untold hardship.

A number of the students gathered together for a protest on Monday at the Nigerian embassy in Moscow but were ignored by the embassy officials and left in the cold to contend with a -2° temperature for close to two hours before anyone bothered to address them.

The student leaders were at some point invited in but others were left out in the cold for another hour before the officials stepped out to address the students.

When the chargé d’affaires at the embassy eventually addressed the students, he complained that they had not come to the embassy with a written petition addressed to the ministry of education.

The students have made previous appeals to the federal government to pay their stipends. A report by This Day in August indicated that the Association of Scholarship Students in Russia had through its president, Jenny Onyemachi, pleaded with the government to keep its part of the deal as Russia had always paid their tuition fees.

She also lamented that some Nigerian students in Russia were forced to borrow from students from other countries in order to survive.

“This is the toughest time for us. We don’t have direct access to the scholarship board in Russia, besides they don’t fund our stipends,” she had said.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-nigerian-students-in-russia.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

President Muhammadu Buhari, has been listed among the 500 most influential Muslims in the world for the year 2017.

President Buhari was listed as number 17th in the publication while Sultan of Sokoto and President of the NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar occupies the 22nd position.

National Missioner and Chief Imam, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad was the new entrant in the 2017 edition of ‘The Muslim 500’, the publication chronicling 500 most influential Muslim personalities in the world.

His name was listed alongside the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammad Sanusi, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola who had earlier made the list.


The 500 Most Influential Muslims is an annual publication first published in 2009 which ranks the most influential Muslims in the world. The publication is compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman Jordan.

It highlights people who are influential as Muslim and how they have been able to , through their influence, benefit the community both within the Islamic world and in terms of representing Islam to non-Muslims.

In the 2017 edition, only Ahmad, Ajibola, Oloyede and Sanusi were listed in the publication from Nigeria. Many other renowned African clerics including Khalifa Sheikh Mohammad (Kenya), Sheikh Muhammad Aboulai Cheba (Mozambique) and Mufti Ismaila Musa Menk of Zimbabwe also made the list.

They were all recognized by their contributions to their various communities through the promotion of religious understanding and engendering harmony among adherents of Islam and people of other faiths.

The publication specifically acknowledged how Imam Ahmad, as the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen, a 93-year old Islamic Society, has promoted spiritual development of the Muslim Ummah.

The Publication said, “Sheikh Ahmad is the Chief Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen, a 93-year old Muslim organization established for the purpose of the educational development of Muslims and also as a body to enhance the moral and social development of the Muslim Community. Membership of the organization is measured in millions and its achievements in Nigeria span across faiths and ethnicity”.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/buhari-sultan-emir-sanusi-amongst.html

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Although he was rushed to the hospital after he was shot, he passed away before receiving medical attention. His club, 3SC confirmed his passing on Twitter on Monday morning;

A Shooting STAR is gone! Izu Joseph is gone! Flamboyant defender is gone! RIP, brother. What a life! May God strengthen his family #Tragedy pic.twitter.com/m9cZxtq6bm

— Shooting Stars SC (@Official3SC) October 17, 2016



In week 26 of the Nigerian Professional Football league, Izu grabbed a last-gasp winner to ensure his team beat Nasarawa United 2-1.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/shooting-stars-defender-izu-joseph-shot.html

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency officials on a rescue operation at Mile2 as a car crashed into a broken down truck. No casualty

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-car-crashes-into-bus-in-mile-2.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Ekiti state Governor Ayodele Fayose pictured today at the foundation laying of a new Ekiti High Court Complex. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-fayose-at-foundation-laying.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees were pictured today during a rally for the Ondo state Governor Segun Mimiko in Akure.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-nigeria-union-of-local.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Study Team of the Nigeria Defense College paid a courtesy visit to the Akwa Ibom state Governor Udom Emmanuel in Uyo today. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-nigeria-defense-college-visit.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

More at http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-car-conveying-suspected-armed.html

Three armed robbers and a mechanic simply identified as Nwamba, lost their lives after a grey colored Hyundai ix 35 with registration number SMK 485 CM which they had earlier stolen, skidded off Eko bridge by Iddo terminus in Lagos and landed on a mechanic who died instantly yesterday October 9th.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was suspected to have been snatched at gun point with five suspected armed persons. Three of the suspected armed robbers died immediately; one escaped with injury while the fifth person was taken to the Hospital for treatment by LASAMBUS. The dead bodies ( three suspected armed robbers and one other person identified as a mechanic named Nwamba) were handed over to SEHMU and were subsequently taken to the Mortuary, while vehicle was towed to Denton Police State Ebutte Metta.

Items found on them include : One locally made double barrel pistol with five live cartridges; one laptop;GSM phone and a dollar note The General Manager LASEMA, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu advised Lagosian to always be security conscious all the time and further said that proper investigation would be carried out by the Nigerian Police Force on the incident.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-car-conveying-suspected-armed.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Lagos state Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and other officials pictured today during on-going construction of lay-by and slip road at Berger, Lagos. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-gov-ambode-inspects-lay-by-and.html

Cc: lalasticlala mynd44

More at http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-from-prince-crown-coronation-in.html

A cross section of Ohens (Chief Priest),dance groups &market women all ready 4 today's event. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-from-prince-crown-coronation-in.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

HRH Igwe K.O.N III (Igwe of Nnewi), who was presented wit a WestHam jersey, accompanied by some members of his cabinet. The Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation also threw the school children into a heightened frenzy, made in Anambra Football' project is expected to engage 50,000 families in the state.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-west-ham-officials-present.html

More at http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-gov-ganduje-launches-school-in.html

Kano state Governor Ganduje & His deputy Prof. Hafiz Abubakar today officially launched a programme tagged; SCHOOL IN BAG, KANO SUMMER CAMP ACADEMY.

The School in Bag programme is an innovative one aimed at promoting girl child education, started by the admin of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, which will seek to increase the capacity of the students and quality of their education.

Over 10 thousand primary girl students benefitted from this programme & were given extra lessons during the holidays particularly in English.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photos-gov-ganduje-launches-school-in.html

Senator Representing Lagos East Constituency. Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Gbenga Ashafa paid a visit to Government College, Igbonla Epe where staff and students were abducted.


http://www.metronaija.com/2016/10/photo-sen-ashafa-visits-school-where-4.html

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