All Posts in "Day: May 22, 2021"

Germany Ready To Return Stolen Benin Artifacts

Benin Bronzes: Germany to return looted artefacts to Nigeria - BBC News
President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Berlin, has declared in Benin,
Herrmann Parzinger, says  the Republic of Germany was ready to  return the Benin Artifacts looted  during the 1897 British invasion of the ancient City.
 Parzinger,  disclosed this when his delegation visited Benin,Edo State on Friday.
He said:” I am quite touched to see how vivid this culture is. The Benin bronze is outstanding arts. We are happy we can give Benin bronzes back to Benin and Nigeria.This Benin museum is a state-of-the-art if you compare it internationally. We are happy that the objects will come back to this museum.
“So, we want your cooperation and we want to support you in capacity building, training and education. We want to learn from you about the knowledge of Benin bronze. We really want to open a new chapter in our relations especially in the area of cultural cooperation.
He  emphasized  the need for the cooperation of all stakeholders in Nigeria and in Edo state  for the return of the artworks,and assured  that the foundation will support the country in the area of capacity building, education among others.
He also said the foundation was willing to learn from the Benin kingdom about knowledge of Benin artworks.
Directorate General for Culture and Communications of the German Foreign Office, Andreas Görgen,  who led the delegation,explained that  the visit to Edo state was to  attest to the joint willingness of five Federal States of Germany, the Federal government of Nigeria and the five museums holders of Benin artworks to proceed to the restoration of the looted artifacts to  Nigeria and Benin.
Online Editor by — May 22, 2021 in Arts/Entertainment 0
‘RMD Incompetent To Chair Committee For Entertainment Sector  Empowerment’

Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates 9-Member Committee On Film Production Empowerment - The Culture Newspaper
‘RMD Incompetent To Chair Committee For Entertainment Sector  Empowerment’
Lagos state indigenes have rejected the appointment of veteran actor,Richard Mofe-Damijo as the chairman  of 9-member committee on COVID-19 N1billion capital empowerment of entertainment sector in the state.
The indigenes,under the  Lagos Consultative Forum,Lagos Advocacy Group,Eko Foundation and CILS,likened RMD’s choice as chairman of the committee to slapping and spitting on the face of Lagos indigene.
Yakubu Eleto Esq,in a letter he wrote to Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu,on behalf of the indigenes,said there are many Lagos indigenes  that are doing enviable well, and are eminently qualified to chair the committee.
He said  though RMD already carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry, but his choice of chairmanship is pure sidelining of Lagos indigenes.
He added:”For the sake of emphasis, we wish to remind his Excellency that
Pa Jide Kosoko, Ajoke Silva, Morayo Aka-Bashorun, Tolu Oniru, Tiwa
Savagé, Banky Wellington, Gbemi Shasore, Aduke Gomez, Disun Holloway
(Former Senior Special Assistant on Tourism under Mr Tunde Raji
Fashola), Remi Vaughan-Richards and Bimbola Manuel…..are all doing
well in the entertainment sector and they deserve your consideration
into the committee”
He said  the  implication of the continuous presence of RMD as the chairman of that committee is that Lagos indigenes who are
interested in film making and entertainment will have to lobby an indigene of Delta before his/her proposals can be approved in their
own home state.
He added:”We will also like to condemn the continuous drive of this government to the path of executing the extinction plan of core indigenes in Lagos State.  Therefore, as core indigenes in the state we will
not keep quiet as there appear to be no future for us and our unborn
generation in our states if this extinction plans comes to stay.
  “Tunde Kelani is over seventy years, Richard Mofe-Damijo is over sixty years and annoyingly, when RMD was a
commissioner in Delta State, how many Lagos indigenes did he employ and/or empower?We therefore by the above urge RMD to tow the path of honor and decline this appointment.His Excellency sir, going forward, we want Lagos State indigenes to head all our public services, Quango appointments,committees, panels, or groups and should also be a gazette in the state gazette.
“We also want 80% Indigenes membership of all Quangos, committees, panels or groups.We want it to be made a Lagos State Government policy in the interest of justice.Lagos State is cosmopolitan, yes…but it is heartbroken to see a democratically elected governor allot roles and resources of our dear state to non-indigenes where there are enough
indigenes that are capable, credible and competent to do these jobs.
 ” We don’t belong to a camp that says:  “Lagos is a No Man’s land” we are passionate and proud of our state.We therefore question, why is the Governor doing this to us, in our own State, why are we being treated as second-class citizens in Lagos state?We therefore call on our traditional rulers and Lagos elders to prevail on Mr Sanwo-Olu to stop marginalizing indigenes during his tenure.Lagosians will remember you and etch your name in gold if you can reverse this appointment and make one of us the
 chairman of this committee”.
Online Editor by — May 22, 2021 in Arts/Entertainment 0
NCC Moves Against Phone Theft,Plans Deployment Of DMS

Amid NIN Enrolment, NCC Says Nigerians Must Submit Phone IMEI's
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),has said that it is in the process of deploying a Device Management System (DMS) for phone users in the country.
Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr.Ikechukwu Adinde,said the Device Management System (DMS) will essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks.
He said  the  system will capture    International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)  without any requirement for subscribers to submit same.
He denied  reports that Nigerians are required to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of their phones to  the commission from July, 2021.
He said :The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission has been drawn to several media publications to the effect that the commission will require Nigerians to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of their phones to it from July, 2021.”
He explained that at no time did the commission issue a Statement regarding the registration of IMEI by subscribers and it has no plans to do so.
He said the  reports in question have emanated from a section of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and which has been uploaded on the commission’s website.
He added:”The general public is advised to disregard the said publications, which have created the erroneous impression that telephone subscribers will be required to register their IMEI with their networks.”
Online Editor by — May 22, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
Fuel Price Still N162 Per Litre-FG

The Federal Government has  promised Nigerian that there would be no increase in fuel pump price in the month June 2021.
Chief Timipriye Sylva, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources,who  gave the promise in a statement,said the development  followed heightened fears that  the government will adjust the pump  price of fuel on the strength of the recent position of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF)  that subsidy on Petroleum products was  no longer sustainable.
He said:”Once again it has become necessary to assure Nigerians that despite the huge burden of under-recovery, the Federal Government is not in a hurry to increase the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to reflect current market realities. The current price of petrol will be retained in the month of June until the ongoing engagement with organized labour is concluded. This clarification becomes necessary in the light of recent reports regarding the
resolution of the Nigeria Governors Forum to increase the pump price of petrol.
He  urged  petroleum products marketers not to engage in any activities that could jeopardize the seamless supply and distribution system in place while calling on members of the public to avoid panic buying because the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has enough stock of petroleum products to keep the nation wet.
Online Editor by — May 22, 2021 in Oil&Gas 0
..As  Buhari,Speaker,APC Mourn

Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Tinubu mourn Osinowo
President Muhammadu Buhari,Speaker of the House of Representatives,Femi Gbajabiamila,
and some state governors have  mourned the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other military officers.
A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity,said Buhari expressed shock over the death of the soldiers.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers”.
“The President condoles with families of the deceased, the military, and Nigerians in general, describing them as “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.”
“While praying that God receives the souls of the patriots, the President says the crash “is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country.The President pledged that the departed would not die in vain”.
The House of Representatives’ Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, and his deputy, Ahmed Idris Wase, have also  described as shocking and sad the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, and seven others in a plane crash on Friday evening in Kaduna.
The presiding officers in separate statements, said the death of the Army Chief was unfortunate coming at a time that the Nigerian military was finding solutions to the security challenges in the country.
Gbajabiamila said having taken over from the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, a couple of months ago, Attahiru has shown a lot of commitment in tackling the security situation in the country.
Gbajabiamila, who said he had a few meetings with Attahiru in search of solutions to the challenges, noted that the late Army Chief came across as a core professional officer.
He said the Nigerian military, especially the Nigeria Army, has lost a dedicated and committed senior officer whose services to fatherland will be sorely missed.
The Deputy Speaker,expressed sadness that the passing of the Chief of Army Staff may have again dealt a blow to the nation’s effort to quell insecurity.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of of the APC Caretaker Committee,  Gov Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State  have both  expressed  deep shock over the report of a fatal air crash of a Nigerian Air Force plane conveying the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru and other senior military personnel on Friday, near the Kaduna International Airport.
In a separate condolence messages to President Mohammadu Buhari and the respective families,  the party and its chairman said the mishap was a great  national loss, and expressed their convictions that the nation will overcome current security challenges.
John James AkpanUdoedehe,  secretary of the APC, in a statement , said the party commiserates with President Buhari, the Nigerian Military and the families of the deceased over  the tragic loss of the officers who have gallantly served the nation with honour and dignity.
Besides,  Governor  Mai Buni,in a condolence message signed by Mamman Mohammed , the Director Director, Press and Media Affairs, described the aircrash as a monumental tragedy.
“The Governor and chairman APC CECPC, is shocked, heartbroken and deeply saddened by the unfortunate air crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army staff Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other military officers..
“The demise of these top military officers at this moment when Nigeria needs their services most, is indeed a great loss to the army and Nigeria and the people of this country”
“I therefore condole with His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, the Nigeria Army and the families of the deceased  officers.
He also described  the death of the officers as fallen heroes who laid their lives for the service of the country.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome the security challenges and emerge victorious .
“The Nigeria army should  re-dedicate itself to defeat the security challenges as a mark of honour and respect to the deceased Chief of Army Staff and the other fallen officers.”
Governor Buni prayed to God to grant the souls of the deceased officers eternal rest and, to their families, government, Nigeria army and the people of Nigeria the fortitude to bear this huge loss.
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello,described  the death of the COAS  a colossal loss to Nigeria particularly at such a time when the country was confronting numerous insecurity challenges in different parts of the country.
Commiserating with the family, friends and associate of the late COAS, Bello said  Lt. General Attahiru was a hero who gave his all to the service of his fatherland and similarly died while attending to his duties
Online Editor by — May 22, 2021 in News 0
DHQ Probes Death Of COAS, 10 Others In Plane Crash

The Defence Headquarters, (DHQ), has an investigation into the death of Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), and 10 others in a military plane crash at Kaduna state on Friday evening.
Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), Lucky Irabor, while regretting the unfortunate death of his officers, said it would not derail their focus in the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the country’s security space.
A late night statement on Friday, through Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Defence Information, (DDI), that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), was in deep sorrow over the losses but would not allow their death to be in vain.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) regrets to announce that this evening at about 1800 Hours, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru in company of his entourage, who were on official trip from Abuja to Kaduna, were involved in an air mishap.
“The unfortunate incident occurred after landing at the Kaduna International Airport due to inclement weather.
“The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has therefore directed that an Accident Investigation Board be constituted to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate accident.
“As we pray for the repose of the souls of our gallant and committed Chief of Army Staff and other personnel on board with him, the AFN solicits the support and understanding of all Nigerians in the face of this tragic incident.
“We wish to state that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains resolute in combatting the security challenges bedeviling our nation. The sacrifices of our dearly departed heroes will not be in vain.
The  CDS urged all military personnel and their families to take heart and be condoled on this tragic loss.
He also reassured all Nigerians of the commitment and loyalty of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Constitution and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 Meanwhile,the burial proceedings of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 6 other senior officers who lost their lives in an air mishap in Kaduna is slated for today, Saturday.
The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima,said in a statement that the burial rites of the fallen soldiers will commence at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Abuja by 1000hrs respectively”.
He added :”Consequently , the interment for the late COAS and 6 other senior officers will take place at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja today  by 1300hrs”.
Online Editor by — May 22, 2021 in News 0