Return of Benin Artefacts: Deal straight with the Oba! By Monday Oviawe.

A Publication in The Navigator Newspaper Return of Benin Artefacts: Deal straight with the Oba! *Edosomwan admonishes Obaseki Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has been advised to “deal straight” with the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II N’Ogidigan, The Oba of Benin on the sensitive and raging issue of the expected return of the looted artefacts of the ancient Benin Kingdom back to the kingdom, and “not to attempt to change positions” on the issue of which institution should take custody of the artefacts, “especially now that the issue of ownership is not in doubts.” Giving the advice in an exclusive interview with The Navigator last week, a Benin-based public affairs’ commentator, Elder Solomon Edosomwan, emphasized that the governor “should exhibit conscious firmness and unwavering allegiance to decisions he earlier reached with the Palace of the Oba of Benin and desist from taking unilateral decisions in a matter as sensitively volatile as to who should take custody of the artefacts when they are eventually returned.” Elder Edosomwan maintained that with the Omo N’Oba’s declaration, penultimate week, in a Press Statement, that the governor had completely deviated from the initial understanding they had on the plan for the Benin Royal Museum and the governor’s expression of his readiness to work with the palace to actualize the laudable plan to domicile the artefacts, when finally returned, in the Benin Royal Museum to be built within the precinct of the Palace of the Benin Monarch from where they were looted, “it is apparent that the governor has stoked the fires of distrust and erred elaborately on that score.” The public affairs’ commentator recalled Governor Obaseki’s reechoed landmark commitment to work with the monarch to build the Benin Royal Museum in the precinct of the Oba Palace in Benin City, when the governor, sometime ago, hosted Nicholas Thomas of Cambridge University and Annie Coombes of the University of London, both renowned experts in Benin History, to a dinner, at the Government House in Benin City. Elder Edosomwan recalled that the governor was sumptuously quoted on that occasion by a cross section of the media as saying that “The decision to establish a world-class museum at the Oba’s Palace, one of the safest places in the world, will encourage curators across Europe and in other parts of the world, to be confident and support the advocacy for the safe return of stolen artefacts of Benin Kingdom.” He now gave the poser: “If the governor had all along worked with the Oba of Benin with such commitment, at what point then did he now unilaterally veer off from that status quo to create and incorporate the company called Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd to take delivery of the expected artefacts with the purported Edo Museum of West African Arts, EMOWAA?” The public affairs’ commentator, therefore, charged governor Obaseki “to tread softly and conscientiously with the Benin Palace and desist from playing politics with the things of the Benin Palace, which are expressly the things of the Benin people. Agreeing with the Oba on one hand and veering off that understanding to take a different action, to me, does not appropriately define and underscore ‘respect and reasoned loyalty’ to the revered throne of the kingdom in a matter such as this.” Elder Edosomwan further drew attention to the governor’s new standpoint in the state government’s response to the Omo N’Oba’s press statement of 9th July, 2021. In his words, “The Edo State Government, in its response, titled Benin artefacts: Obaseki will continue to engage His Royal Majesty to secure final return, dated 12th July 2021 and signed by Secretary to the State Government Osarodion Ogie Esq., however, insisted, in the last paragraph that ‘the Governor assures that he will continue to work assiduously with all local and international stakeholders for the eventual and final return of these valued records of our great and glorious heritage back to Benin City for the benefit of ALL Edo people, Nigerians and the black race.’ (Emphasis on ALL is the state government’s). “The Edo State Government should not hide under diplomatic sematic to deal with the Oba. Oba Ewuare II has clarified, and this has never been in doubts, that the looted artifacts awaiting repatriation from Europe are the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom created by our ancestors and forefathers within the traditional norms and rites of the kingdom. They are not property of the state government or any private corporate entity that is not a creation of the Benin kingdom. The right and only legitimate destination for the artifacts to be repatriated as already pronounced by my father is under the aegis of the Benin Royal Museum that will be sited within the precinct of the Palace of the Oba of Benin from where they were looted, and also, the proper traditional institution that is also the custodian of all the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom. Let the governor not walk or work alone in this matter; he should conscientiously reason with the Benin Palace every step of the way. I do not think that is too difficult to do.” Here is a reproduction of the Benin Palace Statement of 9th July, 2021 at the meeting of His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Ewuare II, Oba of Benin with Palace Chiefs and Enigie on the Repatriation of the looted Benin Artefacts: “In the name of God and our Ancestors, I welcome you all and thank you all for honouring our invitation. I have called this meeting today to intimate you of the matter of the Benin Artifacts in Europe at the verge of being repatriated which I am sure you have heard and read about in recent weeks. You may also have heard about the recent activities of a group of individuals who incorporated a company since January 2020 called Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd. “It has become germane to note that the advocacy and demands for the return of the artifacts looted from the Benin Kingdom in 1897 have been going on for decades before the emergence of the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. I must sincerely thank the Governor for joining the struggle and showing commitment to retrieve our stolen cultural heritage from Europe. While anticipating the return of the looted artifacts from Europe, I want to note that attempts to divert the destination or the right of custody of the artifacts is not in the interest of the people of Benin Kingdom to whom the Palace of the Oba of Benin provides leadership. The looted artifacts awaiting repatriation from Europe are the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom created by our ancestors and forefathers within the traditional norms and rites of the kingdom. “They are not property of the state government or any private corporate entity that is not a creation of the Benin kingdom. The right and only legitimate destination for the artifacts to be repatriated as already pronounced by my father is under the aegis of the Benin Royal Museum that will be sited within the precinct of the Palace of the Oba of Benin from where they were looted, and also, the proper traditional institution that is also the custodian of all the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom. The Palace, therefore, strongly advises that anyone, group, organization, or government – national and international that is dealing with any organization or artificial group in the process of returning the looted artifacts from the Benin Kingdom would be doing so at their own risk and against the will of the people of the Benin Kingdom. “There is no alternative native authority and custodian of the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom outside the Oba of Benin as constituted by the Royal Palace. I do not believe that the move by a privately registered company, the Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd. and the purported establishment of Edo Museum of West African Arts (EMOWAA) are in consonance with the wishes of the people of Benin Kingdom. It is pertinent to note that shortly after my ascension to the throne I had several discussions with the Governor on the plan for the Benin Royal Museum and he expressed his readiness to work with the Palace to actualize this laudable wish of my father. I made efforts and acquired additional plots of land from different families within the Adesogbe area near the present day palace for this purpose. “I was however surprised to read from the Governor's letter to the Palace where reference was being made to the fact that a new Museum to be known as EMOWAA is now being proposed, which will be funded and executed through the vehicle of another body now referred to as Legacy Restoration Trust. When Governor Godwin Obaseki informed me in his correspondence of another implementation framework using the so-called Legacy Restoration Trust and the Edo Museum of West Africa Arts (EMOWAA), my response was that the setting up of another organization or legal entity in whatever form or guise will not be necessary nor acceptable. “I informed him that Oba Ewuare II Foundation has been registered with the CAC and has worked out a framework for not only receiving the artifacts but also building a modern structure - The Benin Royal Museum – within the precincts of the Palace and that land has been secured for the building of the Benin Royal Museum under the supervision of the traditional institution. But for reasons best known to him the Governor has gone against the understanding, given recent events. As a matter of fact, the people of Benin kingdom and other stakeholders especially Benin Dialogue Group, had at different meetings endorsed the Benin Royal Museum to be built within the Palace, as well as endorsing the Oba Ewuare II Foundation for fund raising and other requisite administration processes. We wish to use this medium to call on the Federal Government to take custody of these artifacts on behalf of the Palace until the Benin Royal Museum is ready for their collection. Under no circumstances should custody of our age old artifacts be handed to any privately contrived entity like the Legacy Restoration Trust. “Thankfully, just yesterday, I spoke with the Hon. Minister for information and culture who is presently in Germany over the negotiation with the German Government over the plans for the repatriation of our artifacts he assured me that the Federal government remain committed to get unconditional return of our artifacts and will guarantee its full custody for their onward transmission to Benin kingdom to the exclusion of any unauthorized private entities or third parties, we once again thank the federal government for this commitment. It now behooves the Federal Government to be the only level of government that can take custody of the artifacts with a view to transferring them to their original owner and their original place of abode, more so that there exist international treaties and laws guiding these processes. “The Palace of the Oba of Benin wishes to advise His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State to review his approach of using the private vehicle of the Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd and the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) and to see how he can genuinely collaborate with the Oba Palace in accordance with our original understanding. We thank the German Government for their interest and willingness to return the Benin artifacts. “We pray to God and our ancestors for a fruitful resolution of this issue. Thank you.”

CBN says only Dangote, BUA, Golden sugar can import sugar into the country by Chike Olisah

CBN forex restrictions on food itemsCBN approves new cheque standard for banks The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the restriction of the importation of sugar into the country to only 3 companies. The apex bank said only BUA Sugar Refinery Limited, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Golden Sugar Company can be allowed to import sugar into the country through any of the official foreign exchange sources. The decision by the CBN is because of the reasonable progress made by the 3 firms in achieving backward integration, a programme introduced by the Federal Government, in the sector. This disclosure is contained in a circular with reference number TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/01/006, issued on Friday, July 16, 2021, and signed by CBN’s Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Dr Ozoemena Nnaji. The CBN in the circular to all authorized dealers said that henceforth, no company outside the aforementioned 3 firms should be allowed to open Form M or allowed to access foreign exchange from the foreign exchange market to import sugar into the country without its prior or express approval. What the CBN Circular is saying The circular from the CBN reads, “The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the National Sugar Development Council, established the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan to encourage and incentivise sugar refining companies in their Backward Integration Programme for local sugar production. “Accordingly, the underlisted three companies, who have made reasonable progress in achieving backward integration in the sector, shall only be allowed to import sugar into the country: BUA Sugar Refinery Limited, Dangote Sugar Refinery Pic and Golden Sugar Company. “In view of the foregoing, authorised dealers shall not open Forms M or access foreign exchange in the Nigerian foreign exchange market for any company including the three listed above for the importation of sugar without the prior and express approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria as the bank is charged with the mandate of monitoring the implementation of the backward integration programmes of all the companies.” What you should know It can be recalled in April 2021, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, announced plans to include sugar and wheat in the foreign exchange restriction list as part of measures to conserve foreign exchange and boost local production of these items. Also, in April 2021, the Federal Government through a letter issued by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), banned the importation of refined sugar and its derivatives from the country’s Free Trade Zones (FTZs). The action of the Federal Government is part of its efforts to protect the sugar industry which is governed by the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP). Nigeria is reported to currently spend between $600 million to $1 billion on sugar importation every year.

FG’ll take possession of looted Benin artefacts when returned —Lai Mohammed by Kayode Oyero

The Federal Government will take possession of 1,130 looted Benin Bronzes when returned by Germany, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said. The minister stated this on Saturday at a press conference in Lagos State. Mohammed; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; and some government officials had visited Germany recently to further talks on the repatriation of the artefacts allegedly looted during the invasion of the Benin Kingdom in 1897 by the British led by Captain Philip. The Benin Palace and the Edo State Government have been at loggerheads over where the artefacts will be housed. While the palace wants the artefacts kept in the Benin Royal Museum, which will be built within the palace, the state government wants the items preserved in the proposed Edo Museum of West African Arts. Oba of Benin, Ewuare II insisted that the right and only legitimate destination of the about-to-be-repatriated artefacts was the Benin Royal Museum. However, the Government House had also quoted Obaseki as saying in Germany that a “transformational” museum would be built in Benin to house the artefacts upon their return, as part of a new cultural district in the city. Speaking on Saturday about the controversy surrounding the about-to-be-repatriated artefacts, the minister said, “The Federal Government is aware of the widely-reported controversy on who will take possession of the Benin Bronzes when they are returned from Germany. “Let me state clearly here that, in line with international best practice and the operative Conventions and laws, the return of the artefacts is being negotiated bilaterally between the national governments of Nigeria and Germany. Nigeria is the entity recognized by international law as the authority in control of antiquities originating from Nigeria. “The relevant international Conventions treat heritage properties as properties belonging to the nation and not to individuals or subnational groups. For example, the 1970 UNESCO Convention, in its Article 1, defines cultural property as property specifically designated by that nation. “This allows individual nations to determine what it regards as its cultural property. Nevertheless, the Nigerian state – through the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments – has in working assiduously over the past years to repatriate our looted artefacts carried along with our important traditional institutions and state governments “What we are saying in essence is that the Federal government will take possession of these antiquities, because it is its duty to do so, in line with the extant laws. But we have always exercised this right in cognisance of that culture that produced the artworks. “That is why the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments have always involved both the Edo State government and the Royal Benin Palace in discussions and negotiations that have now resulted in the impending return of these antiquities. “Please note that we are not just involved in the repatriation of Benin artefacts. We are also working on repatriating Ife Bronzes and Terracotta, Nok Terracotta, Owo Terracotta, the arts of the Benue River Valley, the Igbo Ukwu, the arts of Bida, the arts of Igala, Jukun etc.”

PIB: South-South group asks Buhari to withhold assent by Daniels Igoni

A South-South stakeholders group, the Mangrove People Leadership Initiative, has urged the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to decline his assent to the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill passed by the National Assembly. MAPLI also rejected the three per cent allocated for host communities and the 30 per cent proposed for oil exploration activities in the frontier basins contained in the harmonised PIB. The group made its position known in a communique read to journalists after its two-day second South-South grassroots conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Friday, with the theme “South-South and The Politics of Petroleum Industry Bill.” The national secretary of MAPLI, Mfawa Ofegobi who read the communique, said the region would not accept anything less than 10 per cent for the oil-bearing communities. Ofegobi, who was flanked by the President-General of MAPLI, Dick Harry and other officials as well as chairmen of the group from the six states of the region, insisted that the contents of the bill awaiting Buhari’s signature had left the people of the region with more questions than answers. He argued that the entire process leading to the passage did not take into account the plight of oil-bearing communities whose people had suffered large-scale environmental pollution and epidemics resulting from oil exploration by international oil firms. Ofegobi said, “We appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari to decline his assent to the PIB as passed (by the National Assembly). “MAPLI rejects the 30 per cent allocated for oil and gas exploration in the frontier basins in the North while the oil-producing region is bedevilled by oil spillages and illnesses. “We also reject the three per cent allocated to Host Communities Trust Fund. We insist that the PIB should be specific on the definition of host communities. What constitutes host communities? Is it where oil is found, where there are pipelines, refineries or depots?” The organisation warned that the South-South people would be forced to confirm their fear that they were no stakeholders in “the contraption called Nigeria” and seek an alternative if their concerns were not addressed adequately.

Candlelight procession for late Sound Sultan postponed by Segun Adewole

The Satellite Youth Forum has postponed the candlelight procession which was planned to honour late singer Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan. The singer died on July 11 after battling Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma. He has since been buried in New Jersey in the United States of America. A candlelight procession had been scheduled to hold today at Satellite Town, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos where the singer grew up. The Committee Chairman of the event, Mr. Patrick Morah C, in a statement, announced the postponement of the event, adding that the decision was taken after consultations with the Police and other security agencies. The statement read, “The Satellite Town Youth Forum, organisers of the Sound Sultan Memorial Walk, hereby officially announce a postponement of the event. “This decision was arrived at after due consultation with relevant security agencies in and around Satellite Town, Lagos. “Following a series of very violent cult-related clashes, general insecurity and a few deaths in recent time, our security advisers, made up of retired and serving military officers and the Nigeria Police have made it clear that this is not an ideal time for public gatherings of any procession as security cannot be guaranteed. “As a responsible organisation, we value life and cannot risk the lives of Sound Sultan’s numerous fans and members of the general public by going ahead with the event as planned. “We deeply regret any inconvenience this decision may bring.”

NBC orders TV, radio stations not to name victims, report ‘details’ of terrorist attacks by Kayode Oyero

The National Broadcasting Commission has ordered television and radio stations in Nigeria not to divulge “details” of the activities of bandits, terrorists and kidnappers in their reports. The regulator specifically directed radio and television stations not to “glamourise the nefarious activities of insurgents” during their daily Newspaper Reviews. As an unwritten custom, broadcast stations in Nigeria review Newspaper headlines daily before their breakfast shows. But the NBC, in a letter dated July 7, 2021, issued to television and radio stations, stressed the need for “caution” by broadcasters while reporting security challenges in the country. The letter titled, ‘Newspaper Reviews And Current Affairs Programmes: A Need For Caution’, was signed by the Director, Broadcast Monitoring, Francisca Aiyetan, on behalf of the new Director-General of the Commission, Balarabe Ilelah. A copy of the letter obtained by The PUNCH, partly reads, “Headlines of most Newspapers on a daily basis are replete with security topics. While bringing information on security to the doorsteps of Nigerians is a necessity, there is a need for caution as too many details may have an adverse implication on the efforts of our security officials who are duty-bound to deal with the insurgency. “The Commission, therefore, enjoins broadcasters to collaborate with the government in dealing with the security challenges by; “Not glamourising the nefarious activities of insurgents, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits etc. “Advising guests and/or analysts on programmes not to polarise the citizenry with divisive rhetoric, in driving home their point. “Not giving details of either the security issues or victims of these security challenges so as not to jeopardise the efforts of the Nigerian soldiers and other security agents.” The Commission also reminded the broadcast stations to be guided by provisions of Sections 5.4.1(f) and 5.4.3 of the NBC Code which states thus: “The broadcaster shall not transmit divisive materials that may threaten or compromise the divisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state. “In reporting conflict situations, the broadcaster shall perform the role of a peace agent by adhering to the principle of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality.” For over a decade, Nigeria has been grappling with insurgency, especially in the North-Eastern part of the West African nation. At various times, the Nigerian Army and the Presidency had claimed that Boko Haram fighters and those of its splinter group, the Islamic State in West Africa Province, had been defeated but the marauders continue to strike with crude savagery and unimaginable guts. According to Global Conflict Tracker, the insurgents have killed nearly 350,000 innocent women, children and farmers in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, amongst other volatile places, since 2009. On the other hand, the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), through the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has in recent time, attempt to muzzle the press in Nigeria by prodding the National Assembly to amend the Nigeria Press Council Act and the National Broadcasting Commission Act, one that has been fiercely opposed by media stakeholders who have described the move as an information blackout akin to the infamous Protection Against False Accusations Decree, otherwise known as Decree 4 of 1984. The Federal Government had also announced the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria on June 4, 2021, citing “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”

Banks give b’ball teams N82m for Olympics campaign by Johnny Edward

…as fans fume over D’Tigers GoFundMe account The men and women’s basketball teams D’Tigers and D’Tigress received a major financial boost on Wednesday when Zenith Bank, Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank jointly donated $200,000 (N82.2m) for their Tokyo 2020 Olympic participation, The PUNCH reports. The three financial institutions jointly adopted both teams under the Adopt-An-Athlete initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development with the amount. Each team will receive $100,000, Media Office of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development said in a statement on Wednesday. While assuring that there is still room for other corporate organisations to adopt Olympics-bound athletes and teams, the ministry expressed confidence that the financial support has further brightened Nigeria’s chances of clinching gold in basketball. D’Tigers will play Italy, Germany and Australia in Tokyo in Group B while D’Tigress are up against USA, Japan, and France in the Group B of the women’s event. Meanwhile, the Friends of Nigerian Basketball Foundation has so far raised $9,802 from an American crowd funding platform, GoFundMe, for D’Tigers ahead of their Tokyo 2020 Olympic campaign, but angry fans slammed government for not financially backing the team. The FONB, organised by the head coach of the team Mike Brown, and set up under Delaware law in the USA, opened the GoFundMe appeal account on May 4 to help provide training, travel and organisational support to D’Tigers. The goal of the FONB is to raise $1m for the team. Our correspondent observed that only 203 donors had contributed so far on the crown funding platform with an anonymous contribution of $1,000 the highest as at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, some fans of the team have labeled the move as “shameful and embarrassing to the Federal Government.” “It’s shameful seeing that the Nigerian men’s basketball team has to set up a GoFundMe to support Tokyo 2021 Olympic dream. What really is the usefulness of this government then,” Wale Adetona wrote on Twitter. “Triumphant D’Tigers doing the Nigeria proud is underfunded with GoFundMe and the coach isn’t taking salaries. Puma kits China donated are still being held by the Nigerian Customs. Customs insists N35m must be paid. Now I understand why Abike’s tweet is missing,”@firstladyship wrote. Oyiga Michael added, “The Federal Government didn’t sponsor Nigerian basketball team. But instead, they seized donated items and equipment. The team has a GoFundMe account to raise funds for support.” Temitope @topriddy wrote, “Second-hand embarrassment for Nigerian basketball federation begging for fund on GoFundMe. I feel sick.” Chidi Okereke wrote, “The Nigerian Basketball team is raising fund on GoFundMe, so they can represent Nigeria at the Olympics. You think this country cannot disgrace you further?” Reacting to the backlash, President, Nigerian Basketball Federation, Musa Ahmadu-Kida, said, “We enjoy the full financial support of the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, who are making all possible efforts to adequately take care of NBBF’s past spend and the Olympics preparations of our teams. We know that sports needs are insatiable and we all need more funds to meet those immediate needs.” PUNCH.