News
EMOWAA: Obaseki’s Stance On Looted Benin Artifacts Threat To Peace, Group Raises The Alarm

A Benin pressure group-Coalition of Benin Socio Cultural Organisations- on Saturday accused the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki of threatening the peace existing in Benin Kingdom with his plans to house the expected Benin artefacts to be returned in a proposed Edo Museum of West African Arts (EMOWAA) as against the planned Benin Royal Museum which the Oba of Benin has planned to house the treasured works.
They said the proposal of the governor was a negation of the initial plan of the Benin Palace which he supported and pledged the commitment of the state government in building the structure.
They said his action was an indication that he has issues with the palace contrary to his claim that he has no issues with it.
Obaseki had on Thursday while addressing participants at a stakeholders’ engagement and unveiling of Phase one of EMOWAA in Benin City, said there is no dispute between the state government and the Palace of the Oba of Benin on the issue of artefacts.
But addressing a press conference, the Coordinator-General of the group, Mr. Osazee Amas-Edobor who was flanked by other members of the group said the artefacts belonged to the palace and that it is the rightful place for the works to be returned.
He said: “During the 1897 invasion, the entire Benin people defended that palace and once again the entire Edo race is ready to defend what pertains to that palace and anything contrary to the Benin Royal Museum is tantamount to trying to re-loot the looted artefacts and that will not be allowed.
“Sincerely, we were shocked that His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki asserted that he doesn’t have any issue nor quarrel with our revered Oba of Benin Kingdom whereas when he organised a Stakeholders engagement meeting regarding his proposed EMOWAA phase 1, he didn’t involve our revered Palace.
READ ALSO: Looted Benin Artifacts: No Controversy Over Ownership, Oba Of Benin Declares
“For the avoidance of doubt, the word EMOWAA is alien to us as Benin people.
“We also would like to inquire from His Excellency, why you reneged on your earlier promise regarding the Benin Royal Museum in 2018 when you supported the idea of a Benin Royal Museum before the EMOWAA idea came from the blues.
“We had expected His Excellency to be a man of his words because EMOWAA wasn’t what you discussed with our revered Monarch and other prominent Benin Elders in 2018.
“His Excellency Sir, Reneging on your words is tantamount to betrayal of public trust.
“We would like to point out to His Excellency that irrespective of reneging on your words in support of the Benin Royal Museum, we have nothing against your plans to build Museums or set up privately owned ventures like Legacy Restoration Trust LTD, building Museums as long as the Artifacts that will constitute the proposed Museums are not part of the stolen Historical Benin Artifacts.”
News
Israeli Mission To Bolster Wellbeing Of Orphans In Nigeria

The Israeli Embassy in Nigeria has promised to bolster the wellbeing of orphans in Nigeria.
Deputy Chief of Mission of the embassy, Inbar Garden stated this in Abuja while donating food items to the Hope for Survival Orphanage, Gishsiri community, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
She said aside helping to promote collaboration between Nigeria and Israel, the mission is committed to supporting the wellbeing of the orphans.
Garden said, “We just want to ensure the orphans have a better future and not taken for granted.
READ ALSO:Israel Begins Ground Offensive In Gaza Despite International Criticism
“It takes a person with a giant heart to give themselves to the society and make other peoples life matter.
“I urge you, children at the Orphanage to be focused on your future, because you are not going to stay in this place forever.
“Just dream big and say it loud, and go get your dreams fulfilled.”
Also,the Proprietress of the orphanage, Ruth Ibrahim, thanked the embassy for the kind gesture,
According to her, even for you to come here is not easy due to the deplorable road to the orphanage.
READ ALSO:
“We thank God for the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike’s intervention, the road was so bad, at least he has repaired it, such that we can easily come into the orphanage as against before.
“God bless and enrich you for putting smiles on our faces, this is good, because we have never seen such a large cooking of meal like this in our orphanage,” Ibrahim said.
She decried lack of access to medical services and paucity of funds toward the construction of fence around the orphanage, to be major challenges they faced.
The orphanage have 67 children, with two having graduated from university and eight of them are currently in SS3, preparing for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exam.
The highpoint of the event is a treat for the children at the orphanage to a buffet by the Israeli deputy chief of mission.
News
Isokpan Sworn In As Egor LG Vice Chairman, Pledges Loyalty to Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda

The Egor Local Government Council Secretariat was abuzz on Monday as Hon. Kenny Isokpan was officially sworn in as the Vice-Chairman of the Council, in a colourful ceremony attended by party leaders, stakeholders, and community groups.
The event drew a large gathering, including the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Hon. Plus Alile, alongside other prominent political figures.
In his address, the Acting Chairman of the council, Hon. Osaro Eribo, described Isokpan as a vibrant and energetic youth whose emergence heralded renewed vigour in the Council’s leadership.
READ ALSO:
He expressed confidence that the new Vice-Chairman would work closely with him to advance Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda at the grassroots level.
Shortly after assuming office, Isokpan lauded Okpebholo for his developmental strides across the state and for providing him the platform to serve.
He pledged unwavering loyalty to the governor, the party leadership, and Eribo, vowing to contribute his quota towards repositioning Egor in line with the progressive vision of the administration.
READ ALSO:
The new Vice-Chairman also expressed gratitude to the State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, for his steadfast leadership, and commended party leaders at the state, local government, and ward levels for their support.
He gave special recognition to a prominent Egor leader, Hon. Osahon Airhunmwunde, for standing by him during his most challenging moments.
Isokpan further acknowledged the solidarity of the Red Cross Society and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), stressing that their support reflected broad-based confidence in the ruling party’s grassroots agenda.
News
Dangote Group Agrees To redeploy Workers Sacked By Refinery

After a peace meeting, the Dangote Group has agreed to redeploy the workers sacked by its subsidiary, Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The resolution was announced on Wednesday by the ministry of labour and employment in a statement on the outcome of the reconciliation meetings held on Monday and Tuesday.
Aliko Dangote, founder of Dangote Group, and representatives of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) met on Tuesday with Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, and Mohammed Dingyadi, minister of labour and employment to resolve the labour dispute.
READ ALSO:Dangote Refinery Dispute: PENGASSAN Suspends Strike After FG Intervention
Disclosing other agreements reached during the meeting, the ministry said the parties agreed that the disengaged workers will be absorbed by other subsidiaries in Dangote Group without loss of pay.
“The Honourable Minister of Labour informed the meeting that unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria and that this right should be respected,” the ministry said
“After examining the procedure used in the disengagement of workers, the meeting agreed that the management of Dangote Group shall immediately start the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Orders Removal Of 101 Products, Warns against Sale, Use
“No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN.
“PENGASSAN agreed to start the process of calling off the strike.
“Both parties agreed to this understanding in good faith.”
On September 26, PENGASSAN instructed its members to embark on a nationwide strike over the dismissal of workers by Dangote refinery.
- Headline3 days ago
One Dead, Several Injured After US Shooting, Fire At Mormon Church
- Headline4 days ago
US Lifts Restrictions On Visa Validity For Ghanaians, Leaves Nigeria’s Unchanged
- News3 days ago
JUST IN: ASUU Issues Ultimatum To FG Over Unresolved Issues
- Headline3 days ago
Head Of Mormon Church Is Dead
- News4 days ago
OPINION: The Madman Sermon On Mapo Hill
- Business5 days ago
Fuel Price Hike Looms As Dangote Refinery Stops Petrol Sales In Naira
- News3 days ago
UNIBEN Bars 5000 Students From Writing Exam
- Business5 days ago
Fuel Scarcity Looms As PENGASSAN Stops Gas, Crude Supply To Dangote Refinery
- Metro4 days ago
Police Confirm Abduction Of 17 Passengers Along Calabar Waterway
- Politics4 days ago
90% Of Nigeria’s Elections Since Independence Rigged — Ex-lawmaker