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It is time for our looted artefacts to return home, FG to Britain

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APC Accuses PDP of Desperation, Seeking Political Gains from National Tragedy

It is time for our looted artefacts to return home, FG to BritainThe Federal Government says the British authority has taken care of its looted artefacts for so long and it is time for the cultural and historical works of art to return home.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this in London during a working visit to the British Museum.

Speaking after a meeting with officials of the museum, Mohammed, who was taken round the gallery and strong room, thanked them for their passion and for taking care of the artefacts for so long.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the minister met with Sam Nixon, Curator and Head of Africa Section, British Museum and Lissan Bolton, Keeper of the Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas in the Museum.

“Before now, they said we did not make a demand, but in October last year, almost nine months ago we made a formal request for the return of the artefacts especially the Benin bronzes for which we have not got any response.

“We made them understand that our quest and clamour is for the return of the Benin bronzes and all other artefacts that were stolen and looted to their origin.

“I said they should take a cue from Germany which was neither our coloniser nor the one that looted the artefacts but which has yielded to pressure and signed an agreement to return 1,130 Benin bronzes to us.

“We also made it clear to them that they cannot hide under legislation and no Act of Parliament will make what you have stolen to become yours,” he said.

Mohammed said he reminded  the officials that Universities of Aberdeen,  and Cambridge had respectively returned the looted artefacts in their custody.

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He added that all over the world, countries like France, Belgium, Germany were returning the artefacts in their countries while Canada had also made the promise to do so.

According to the minister, the officials who listened to him with rapt attention did not make any comment because the matter was beyond them.

Mohammed, however said they would not rest until Britain do the right thing by returning what they looted from the country a century back.

NAN reports that the artefacts, mostly Benin bronzes were looted by British soldiers when they occupied Benin city in 1887, while some were stolen by explorers.

NAN also recalls that Jesus College at the University of Cambridge was the first UK institution to restitute a Benin bronze to Nigeria,

After 124 years, bronze cockerel, known as Okukor, that had been donated to the college by the father of a student in 1905 was returned to the country last year.

This was followed by the University of Aberdeen which restituted a bronze sculpture, which depicts the head of an Oba (king).

The artefact, one of thousands of religious and cultural artefacts looted by British forces in 1897 was purchased by the University at an auction in 1957. 

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With Sights Restored, NNPC/Shell Vision First Outreach Makes Mark in Badagry

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Nearly 3,000 people in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State benefitted from the latest edition of the Vision First initiative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), last week.

Biztellers reports that on the first day alone, 38 patients had surgeries which restored their sights.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the NNPC Ltd/SNEPCo for the treatment, saying the restoration of their sights would help reintegrate them into society.

READ ALSO: Pipeline Surveillance Crucial for $50bn Upstream Investment

A total of 2,297 people were seen by the medical team of which 1,458 had eye care services with 154 surgeries for cataract and 878 spectacles dispensed. This was in addition to more than 200 general surgeries. There were long queues as people turned out early from different parts of the local government area to take advantage of the services in the five-day outreach.

SNEPCo Managing Director, Ronald Adams commented: “We believe that caring for people goes beyond business; it is a responsibility and a privilege. That is why we remain committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and create lasting impact.”

The Badagry outreach was the 6th since the inception of the Vision First initiative in 2022. Late last year, the first session outside Lagos was held in Asaba, Delta State where nearly 2,000 people received healthcare.

The Vision First programme incorporates other aspects of health care such as cardiovascular screening, consultations and treatment for mild and chronic illnesses, laboratory services, pharmaceutical services and distribution of insecticide-treated nets.

The programme has been delivered in collaboration with Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, an NGO based in Jos, Plateau State, which aims “to provide comprehensive eye care to the poor and underprivileged in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

SNEPCo, which pioneered deepwater oil production in Nigeria through the Bonga field in 2005, also supports the socio-economic development of the country through investments in education, health, employment generation and infrastructural development.

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Osun 2026: Tinubu Congratulated Adeleke Before INEC Declared Him Winner — Accord Chieftain

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President Bola Tinubu congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the 2026 governorship election before the Independent National Electoral Commission formally declared him winner, an Accord Party chieftain, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has disclosed.

Olajengbesi made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the INEC collation centre in Osogbo shortly after Adeleke was declared winner of the election.

He commended Tinubu for what he described as the President’s decision not to interfere with the electoral process, saying it demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that the election was free, fair and credible.

SEE MORE: Osun 2026: Oyebanji Applauds Adeleke, Says Voters Have Spoken

According to him, the President had earlier directed INEC and security agencies to ensure that the election met the required standards.

However, Olajengbesi said the poll could not be considered entirely free and fair, alleging that opposition supporters were subjected to oppression and arrests.

“Let me be honest with you, we are also appreciative of Mr. President because at the commencement of this election, Mr. President himself announced to the world and gave a directive to INEC and all security agencies that this election must be free, fair, and credible.

“We want to believe that this election is very credible, but we do not agree that this election is free and fair because it was oppressive. Our people are still in detention. As I speak to you today, even during the election, over 11 persons were arrested in the process.”

Despite his concerns, Olajengbesi praised Tinubu for allowing the electoral process to continue and respecting the outcome.

“We are glad that the president was able to stand by his word and insist that the right thing must be done,” he said.

He further revealed that Tinubu had contacted Adeleke to congratulate him before INEC formally announced the result.

“Let me tell you this quickly: even before the result was declared yesterday night, Mr. President called Mr. Governor and congratulated him, and that is good leadership,” Olajengbesi said.

Adeleke won the election with 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who secured 444,815 votes.

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Empower Police Wives to Boost Officers’ Morale — NPTF

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The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has called for greater empowerment of police officers’ wives, saying economically empowered families can boost the morale, stability and effectiveness of personnel.

The Fund made the call after training and equipping 100 wives of police officers in Kogi State with tailoring and hairstyling starter packs.

SEE MORE: State Police Bill: FG Extends Deadline for Nigerians to Submit Memoranda

The empowerment programme, which was held at the 37 Squadron, Police Mobile Force (MOPOL) Barracks, Lokoja, was designed to equip the beneficiaries with vocational skills and tools to establish sustainable sources of income.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, represented by Salihu Aliyu, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the families behind police officers who often operate under demanding and hazardous conditions.

He said, “By providing these starter packs, the Fund is creating opportunities for beneficiaries to become economically empowered, develop sustainable sources of income and contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of their families.

“These starter packs represent opportunity, empowerment, hope and a pathway towards self-reliance.”

Sheidu urged the beneficiaries to regard the equipment as an investment in their future and utilise the skills acquired during the training to establish viable businesses.

Also speaking, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, represented by DCP Baba Mallam, stressed the importance of supporting police wives as part of efforts to improve the welfare and effectiveness of police personnel.

He said, “The welfare of the police extends beyond our officers to the families who support them and make their service possible. Our officers make enormous sacrifices in the service of our nation.

“An empowered family is a stronger family. Such families contribute significantly to the morale, stability and effectiveness of officers.”

Kankarofi commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, for his commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families, while appreciating the NPTF for sponsoring the empowerment programme.

He urged the beneficiaries to put the skills and equipment to productive use and turn them into sustainable sources of livelihood.

The Chairperson of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Kogi State Chapter, Mrs Asmau Kankarofi, described the starter packs as “seeds of economic independence” for the beneficiaries.

She said police wives remained a vital source of encouragement, strength and support to their husbands and families, particularly given the sacrifices associated with policing.

“We understand the sacrifices that come with the policing profession. As wives, we remain a vital source of encouragement, strength and support to our husbands and families,” she said.

She urged the beneficiaries to utilise the equipment judiciously and support one another in building sustainable businesses.

The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the NPTF and pledged to make productive use of the equipment to improve the welfare of their families.

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