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Benin Dukes hail FG, Oba Ewuare’s zeal in Benin Royal museum’s project

Published

10 months ago

July 31, 2023

Dukes (Enigies) from Benin Kingdom have commended the joint efforts of the federal government and the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, towards the Benin Royal Museum’ project, in line with the principle of common and shared responsibility for result.

This is contained in a statement by Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, on Sunday.

According to Iguobaro, at a meeting to review the progress so far, the Enogie of Iguogie Dukedom, HRH. Festus Osagiede, commended the level of progress made by stakeholders involved in the federal government-backed Benin Museum in Benin, where the artefacts and Bronzes will be kept.

Osagiede thanked the federal government and Oba Ewuare II for their determination and unwavering support in approvingly the Benin Royal Museum where all the repatriated Benin artefacts and Bronzes from Europe and other parts of the world, and other looted Benin works abroad that are yet-to-be returned, have started yielding visible fruits.

“We thank the federal government of Nigeria and the Oba of Benin for the great work that they are doing in the repatriation of the stolen Benin artefacts to the place of origin. We are fully in support of the Benin Royal Museum,” he said.

On their part, the Enogie of Ukhiri Dukedom, HRH. Aigbe Osayande, and his counterpart at Obadan Dukedom, both in Edo South Senatorial District of the state, HRH. Joseph Airhihenbuwa, pledged their loyalty to the Oba of Benin for being steadfast and prayed for continuous unity of Benin Kingdom.

Recall that the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Notice No. 25 in the official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110 at pages A245-247, dated March 23, 2023, laid to rest, the steaming controversy over custody of the repatriated artefacts and Bronzes that were looted by foreign invaders from Oba of Benin Palace in Benin Kingdom.

Related Topics:Benin Kingdom Oba of Benin

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Prince Harry visits sick Nigerian soldiers in Kaduna

Published

3 days ago

May 11, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

The Duke of Sussex is in Nigeria with his wife to champion the Invictus Games, which Harry founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans.

Nigeria joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 becoming the first African country to join.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.

News

Senate approves death penalty for drug traffickers

Published

5 days ago

May 9, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Senate on Thursday, May 9, approved the death penalty for those convicted on the charge of drug trafficking in the country.

The punishment prescribed in the extant NDLEA Act is a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of a report of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Drugs and Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters presented the report during plenary, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North).

The bill, which passed its third reading, aims to update the list of dangerous drugs, strengthen the operations of the NDLEA, review penalties, and empower the establishment of laboratories.

Section 11 of the current act prescribes that “any person who, without lawful authority; imports, manufactures, produces, processes, plants or grows the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life” was amended to reflect a stiffer penalty of death.

Although the report did not recommend a death penalty for the offence, during consideration, Senator Ali Ndume moved that the life sentence should be upgraded to the death penalty.

During a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, put the amendment on the death penalty to a voice vote and ruled that the “ayes” had it.

But Senator Adams Oshiomhole objected to the ruling, saying that the “nays” had it.

He argued that matters of life and death should not be treated hurriedly, but Barau said it was too late, as he failed to call for division immediately after his ruling.

The bill was subsequently read for the third time and passed by the Senate.