NEWS
It is time for our looted artefacts to return home, FG to Britain
The 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.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed Toma Enya as the new Commandant of the Osun State Command.
Enya’s deployment was approved by the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, according to a statement issued by the Corps’ spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, on Monday in Osogbo.
The new commandant, who was transferred from the Ekiti State Command, officially assumed office on Monday, taking over from Commandant Igbalawole Sotiyo.
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Following the handing-over ceremony at the command headquarters, Sotiyo led Enya to the Government Office in Abere, where they were received on behalf of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, by the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi.
Speaking during the visit, Enya pledged to strengthen intelligence gathering and information sharing under his leadership.
He also assured that the command would remain committed to ensuring adequate protection of lives and property across the state.
Adewusi welcomed the new commandant to Osun and assured him of the state government’s support to enable the NSCDC to effectively discharge its statutory mandates and contribute to the security and development of the state.
Enya becomes the 18th NSCDC commandant in Osun State.
He hails from Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as well as a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Enya has served the Corps in various operational, investigative and administrative capacities, gaining extensive experience in security operations and management.
The NSCDC said he has also attended several professional courses within and outside Nigeria, further enhancing his expertise in security architecture, leadership and administration.
The Federal Government is committed to completing the the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC) by 2028.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made the disclosure during an inspection of the project in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Lokpobiri expressed pleasure with the pace of construction, adding that the facility would preserve the history of Nigeria’s petroleum industry while serving as a major centre for research, tourism and industry events.
“I am very happy that I came today to see what is going on here. This is a masterpiece. The main building itself is over 10,000 square metres,” the minister said, noting that the museum and research centre would provide Nigerians and international visitors with a better understanding of the origins and evolution of the nation’s oil and gas industry, including its achievements, challenges and prospects.
The facility, he further said, will also create opportunities for conferences, exhibitions, retreats and research activities in the petroleum sector, even as he praised the quality of the work done so far and Julius Berger’s pace of work at the site.
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The minister also emphasised that the Federal Government will continue to give financial support to the project to ensure seamless execution while pledging to maintain close oversight of the project through regular visits, including unscheduled inspections, and praised Julius Berger for the quality of work completed so far, just as he appealed to the host community to sustain their cooperation with the contractors and other stakeholders to guarantee the successful delivery of the project.
Speaking on behalf of the contractor, the Project Manager, Engr. Botha de Bruyn, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering the project in line with approved specifications and timelines.
He said Julius Berger recognised the historical significance of the facility and would continue to work closely with the Federal Government, the project management team and the host community to ensure its successful completion.
De Bruyn also reiterated the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and professionalism throughout the construction process.
Providing an update on the development, the Project Director of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre, Architect Ladipo Lewis, said the project was conceived to recognise Otuabagi as the birthplace of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
He explained that the facility would document and preserve the history, culture, environment and technological evolution of the oil and gas sector, while also serving as a hub for research, training and knowledge sharing.
Lewis disclosed that the project had attained over 15 per cent completion, with significant infrastructure works already executed.
Tanzania is mourning following the death of Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who died on Monday while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar.
The death of Tanzania’s First Gentleman was officially announced by Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi, according to the BBC.
Ndejembi said Ameir had been suffering from a heart condition and died at about 8am local time at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar.
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He added that funeral arrangements were underway in Kizimkazi, a village on Zanzibar.
Ameir, an agricultural academic, largely kept a low public profile and rarely appeared alongside his wife at official events.
He became Tanzania’s first First Gentleman after Samia assumed the presidency in March 2021.
The couple married in 1978, before Samia entered national politics, and had four children — three sons and a daughter.
Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, is a politician and serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives.
Ruto, AU mourn First Gentleman
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his condolences to President Samia and her family following the death.
In a message posted on X on Monday, Ruto said, “I have received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of Her Excellency Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.”
He added, “President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son.”
Ruto further said, “Kenya stands with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters in this moment of grief,” while praying for the bereaved family.
The African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, also extended his condolences to President Samia, her family and the people of Tanzania.
In a statement issued on Monday, Youssouf said the AU conveyed its “deepest condolences” over the passing of Hafidh Ameir Hassan and wished the bereaved family “strength, courage and solace.”
The AU Chairperson also prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased, concluding, “Inalilahi wainailehi rajiun.”
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