British pensioner returns Benin Kingdom Bronze after 117 years

Two statues from among thousands of works of art looted by British soldiers in the 19th century have been returned to Nigeria, prompting calls for other "stolen" treasures to be repatriated.
For more than a century, the artefacts from the "Benin Bronzes" collection had been in the family of retired medical consultant Mark Walker, whose grandfather was involved in a 1897 British raid in which they were taken.


But on Friday, the statues -- depicting a fabled ibis bird and the traditional monarch's bell -- were given back to the Oba (King) of Benin, Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I, at a ceremony attended by royal officials and local dignitaries.
Walker said he decided to return the statues to Nigeria in September last year after learning of their history, in part from his grandfather's diary from the time, which described the treasures as "loot".
"That gave me the idea that perhaps they should go to the place where they will be appreciated for ever," he said in Benin City, 240 kilometres (150 miles) east of Lagos.
"I'm very proud to be part of this because it is clearly seen as an historic occasion.
"I had no idea it would be regarded with such importance and it is very gratifying to me to have been able to play some small part in the history of the restoration of the bronzes because I think more will come back."
The tale of the precious artefacts is one of intrique and tragedy. It began when nine British officers were killed while on a trade mission to Erediauwa's grandfather, ruler of the then independent kingdom of Benin.
The British reaction was fierce. Walker's grandfather was part of a British military deployment to the kingdom to avenge the deaths of the officers. The overwhelming show of strength left several thousand local people dead and the city set ablaze, while the oba was forced into exile.
The royal palace was looted, resulting in the removal of hundreds of artworks, including the Benin Bronzes, which showed highly decorative images of the oba and his courtiers from centuries earlier.
Most of the ornate bronzes -- in fact melted down and refashioned brass from bracelets and other objects offered by Portuguese traders in the 15th century -- have been at the British Museum in London ever since.
They include a 19th century depiction of the head of the oba, who has divine status for the Edo people, and 16th century plaques taken from the walls of the royal palace, showing court life.


Nigeria has previously requested the return of the Benin Bronzes but without success.

AFP.

Nigerian 'Shuga' actor 2nd in Mr World 2014 pageant

 

Nigeria's Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ikubese won second place in the  Mr World 2014 pageant held in Torbay on Sunday behind Nicklas Pedersen from Denmark, a carpenter by profession.

The 23-year-old, a qualified carpenter who hails from Brondby, a suburb of Copenhagen, aspires of starting his own carpentry firm someday. He would also like to try his hand at acting. Pedersen defeated 45 other contestants including Emmanuel.

Emmanuel is an actor by profession and mostly known for starring in the award winning MTV series "Shuga".

The third position was bagged by Jose Pablo Minor from Mexico. He is also currently working as an actor.

Do you think Spain will win their remaining group matches?

The question on the lips of so many soccer fans is what really happened to the world defending champion of the FIFA World Cup, Spain in last night's match against The Netherlands? They were walloped 5-1 by a superb Dutch team inspired by Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.
Both players grabbed a double each and de Vrji.

Of course there are many factors that could be traced to the failure of Del Bosque's World &European champions. The defeat was Spain's worst in about 51-years, when they suffered a 6-2 loss to Scotland in 1963. Their recent was 1-0 loss to South Africa in an international friendly match in Johannesburg in November 2013.

Del Bosque's back four of Sergio Ramos, Pique, Azpilicueleta and Jordi Alba were below par. Pique looks rusty and undeciding in most of his decisions to go for the ball or not. His poor and sloppy play cost Spain the second goal when Arjen Robben brilliantly controlled the ball with his left foot, reminiscent of the great control and finish of Dennis Bergkamp. Pique was lost in thoughts as he watched Robben use his left foot to track the ball down and rushing Ramos didn't have much to do but just throw himself helplessly. Robben was definitive and clinical with his finish blasting the ball past the once reliable Iker Casillas.

Casillas was in his worst element as he contributed to three of the goals against his team.

From the midfield area, Xavi, Iniesta and Silva lacked penetration as passed the ball without much effect. Iniesta was uncharacteristically guilty of making wrong passes in several occasions. Xavi seemed lost in the game at some point.
There were few balls for Diego Costa and he made sure Spain the lead when he was hacked inside the box for Alonso to score.

Well I can't rule out Spain from not winning their next two games against Australia and Australia. They are capable of it and have done it before.

Del Bosque needs to a surgical operation on the team and inject some life into his team.

Do you think Spain will win their two remaining group matches?

Nearly 900 migrants saved by Italian navy

Italian navy rescued 896 migrants crossing the Mediterranean by boat on Thursday night, after the government warned of an "emergency" caused by a surge in new arrivals.

Three navy warships and two coast guard patrol boats took on the migrants in the Mediterranean and they were then transferred to other vessels and taken to ports in Sicily, the navy said in a statement.

In Geneva, the UN refugee agency UNHCR estimated 6,000 people had been rescued by the Italian navy from over 40 overcrowded boats in the past four days.

UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said the migrants had set off from northern Libya "and many were fleeing violence, conflict and persecution".

"Main countries of origin include Syria, Eritrea, Somalia, Nigeria, Gambia, Mali and Senegal," she said.

Syrians made up the highest number landing in Italy in 2013 with over 11,300 arrivals reported.

The anti-immigration Northern League, a small but vociferous opposition party, has called for migrants to be sent back and, along with a series of far-right parties, accuses the government of failing to act.

Senate approves new CBN governor

ABUJA The senate unanimously approved the appointment of Zenith Bank chief Godwin Emefiele as the new central bank governor of Nigeria to replace Lamido Sanusi, who was suspended on charges of "financial recklessness and misconduct" on Wednesday in Abuja.

The proceedings was was broadcast live on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
Senate president David Mark said it was a key appointment, adding: "Emefiele will ensure the prerequisite responsibilities of the central bank governor without fear or favour."

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Sanusi on February 20 just days after he had accused the state oil company of embezzling $20 billion (14.5 billion euros) of public funds.

Sanusi had been well-regarded among international economists and was credited with overhauling a crumbling and deeply corrupt banking sector and stabilising the currency.
He had been due to step down at the end of his five-year term in June and some saw his suspension as politically motivated for blowing the whistle on top-level graft.
One of his deputies, Sarah Alade, has been acting governor in the meantime. On Tuesday, she oversaw her first monthly monetary policy committee meeting.

She kept the key interest rate unchanged at 12 percent, holding true to a pledge on February 21 that the change at the top would not alter Sanusi's plan for tight monetary policy.
Emefiele had almost no profile outside the banking sector until his name was put forward, surprising market watchers who said he was a low-profile, conservative figure who was unlikely to rock the boat.

Pope Francis to visit Nigeria, says Goodluck

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan hinted on Saturday that Pope Francis is promising to visit Africa's most populous nation.

A statement from the office of the presidency didn’t give any timing for the visit proposed when Jonathan and his wife Patience met the Roman Catholic leader at the Vatican City.

It says they discussed poverty alleviation and inter-faith dialogue.

Nigeria's population is divided almost equally between Muslims and Christians who periodically clash in deadly confrontations. Catholics make up about a quarter of Christians, an estimated 21 million Nigerians. 

Many Christians belong to evangelical churches that have been winning converts from traditional churches.

Pope Francis has committed to travel to the Holy Land and South Korea in 2014 and said he wants to visit the Philippines and Sri Lanka in coming years. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, visited Africa twice.

Eye witness say 25 died in Abuja stadium

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A eye witness at the Abuja National Stadium said 25 people died and over 50 persons were injured as panicked job-seekers stampeded during Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise on Saturday.

"It was up to fifty persons that were injured and 25 were dead. Al though there has been no official list of casualties yet but I witnessed the incident, said Abayomi, a professional photographer in Abuja.

Saheed, a Nigerian based in Lagos said, "Unfortunately those that will get the jobs are not in the crowd. One day the table will turn to favour the poor. My their innocent soul res in peace, may God reward those put us where we are accordingly."

"I weep for this innocent fellows....God please guide our leaders right, help our youth the truth to know. Amen!, says Austin in Port Harcourt.

Idris Farouk, a Nigerian in France said, "It is shameful and sad to see thousands of Nigerians scramble for jobs in a football pitch. It is unacceptable and the authorities responsible should be brought to book. They must tell us why they invited that large numbers of applicants on the same day."

"This is an opportune time for the government of the day to atone for his recklessness and do things right. First the Comproller General of the immigration must tell Nigerians the meaning of the recruitment exercise holding in football stadium across the county.

"Government should please create jobs and make life meaningful for Nigerians, I am tired of doing unbefitting jobs to eke a living in Finland. I am a qualified civil engineer and would return home if there  are openings at home. But stories like this scare me and I don't think I can make it home soon, said Francis.

The sheer size of the crowds was a testament to the large numbers of unemployed youths in Nigeria, most of whose 170 million citizens live on less than two dollars a day, while the country lags behind in key development indicators such as health. Unemployment is a particular challenge, with an estimated 37.5 percent of under-25s out of work, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.


There are so many questions to be asked by the relevant government authorities. Here's a few:

1. What is the rationale for organising a recruitment test in a football stadium?

2. What's there due process in the release of the Abuja stadium to the Nigeria Immigration?

3. Why was there only a single entrance opened for the exercise knowing-fully the expected applicants attending the event?

4. The Nigeria Immigration should inform the public what's the total number of applicants expected on the fateful day?

5. What's the available job opening in the immigration service?

6. What security and safety measures was in place for the recruitment exercise?

7. Is the exercise a regional, state or federal recruitment exercise ?

We await an official response from the authorities as to the happenings on March 15 at the Abuja National Stadium.

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