Niger Delta

Benin Monarch Gets Documents On Returned Artefacts

Published

4 years ago

December 15, 2021

The necessary documents for two of the returned artefacts, a cockerel (Okpa) and Uhunwun Elao, looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin, have been formally handed over to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, 124 years after.
The necessary documentations were done at a colourful ceremony as Oba Ewuare II and others involved in the process signed the necessary documents in line with the British laws on the return of artefacts and the objects would at a later day be handed over to the monarch for keeps by the federal government.
To safeguard the artworks and others expected to be returned in future, Oba Ewuare II announced Prof. Wole Soyinka as a member of the board of trustees of the Benin Royal Museum, where the returned artefacts would be kept and be opened to the public, including researchers and scientists.
He listed Aghatise Erediauwa, Nduka Obaigbena, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru among others to be members of the board of trustees for the museum.
Oba Ewaure II, who commended the role played by the federal government in the return of the artefacts, said Benin art and culture reflect the past and present glory as well as splendour of the kingdom.
He said: “As our treasures are returned, our youths will be able to establish a new relationship with the heritage bequeathed by their forefathers. The return of all the treasures taken away will begin a new era of Benin history and civilisation.
“International best practice and the rule of law dictate that restitution and compensation is the new discourse.
“We ask that friendly countries seeking to return our artefacts should do so directly to the Oba of Benin or to the federal government, who will hold them in trust and return the same to the Palace of the Oba of Benin Kingdom as was recently done in Cambridge and Aberdeen.”
In his remarks, Ngerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, said the ceremony was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment that all stolen artefacts should be returned to Nigeria and sent to their original owners.
He said: “In 1897, when the Benin aretefacts were taken away from Benin Kingdom, sovereignty was vested in Benin Kingdom under the leadership of the then Oba of Benin, Ovonranmwen Nogbaisi, the same sovereignty was then vested in respective kingdoms and its respective traditional rulers in the present day Nigeria.
“This explains why these artefacts are still being referred to as Benin bronzes up till the present day. Sovereignty is, however, currently vested in the federal government by the 1999 constitution (as amended).
“Hence, the legal and physical possession of the artefacts by the federal republic of Nigeria under the leadership of Buhari, my presence in Benin Kingdom today is in fulfilment of the desire and the express directive of the president to return the repossessed artefacts to where they originally belong.
“The present administration places much emphasis on the return of Nigerian artefacts to their original home, hence the painstaking efforts of the federal ministry of information and culture, with the tireless commitment of the national commission for museums and monuments to attain this presidential directive and mandate.”
The event attracted personalities from all walks of life including the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero; representative of the Ooni of Ife; representative of the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who is from Benin Kingdom.
Others were Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio; former governor of Edo State and immediate past National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole; Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; Ken Imansuagbon; former Deputy Governor of the state, Lucky Imasuen; palace chiefs and traditional rulers from other parts of the state.

Niger Delta

Asaba, Warri Monarchs Seek Deeper Regional Cooperation

Published

4 days ago

May 6, 2026

The Tide

The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has called for renewed commitment towards strengthening the historic ties between the Asaba and Warri Kingdoms for mutual benefits.

Azinge made the call recently in Asaba, when he played host to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, in his palace.

Reflecting on the longstanding relationship between the two royal institutions, he recalled the deep bond shared by the Olu’s father, Ogiame Atuwatse II, and his predecessor, the late Prof. Chike Edozien.

He said the cordial relationship extended beyond official engagements, adding that he and his family also maintained close personal ties with the immediate past Warri traditional ruler.

The Asagba expressed optimism about the future of the relationship, commending the Olu for his deliberate efforts to revive and strengthen the agelong alliance between both kingdoms.

He pledged to fully support any initiatives aimed at deepening the cooperation, while also lauding the Olu’s leadership qualities.

He described the Olu as “a visionary monarch with a strong global outlook”.

Azinge also praised his visitor for his “humility, composure, and commitment to elevating the status of his throne on the international stage”, saying that such qualities exemplify ideal traditional leadership.

He urged the Olu not to relent in his efforts, describing his growing influence and recognition within and beyond Delta as commendable and worthy of emulation.

He said, ”You are a leading light in your own right. Long before ascending the throne, I have watched you closely and observed your trajectory as a King; a Sovereign, and you epitomise all that a monarch should be.”

The Asagba also highlighted existing personal connections between both royal families, noting that the Olu’s Queen shared a close relationship with his daughter, further strengthening their bond.

Speaking on broader regional engagement, Azinge disclosed that he recently returned from a five-day working visit to Sierra Leone, where he held high-level meetings with traditional authorities, academia, and government officials.

He said discussions during the visit emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among African traditional rulers, particularly within the West African sub-region.

According to him, the President of Sierra Leone, in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS, encouraged traditional leaders to build stronger networks and consider having periodic meetings to promote unity and development.

Azinge expressed the confidence that such initiatives, when realised, would include key monarchs, such as the Olu of Warri.

He reaffirmed the role of traditional institutions in supporting government efforts, particularly in areas, such as security and community development, emphasising the need to for them to leave lasting legacies.

Earlier in his remark, the Olu of Warri expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage, describing the visit as both “significant and memorable”.

He apologised for his absence at the Asagba’s coronation and assured that he would return for a more elaborate visit at a mutually convenient time.

The Olu recalled the cordial relationship his father shared with the late Asagba, saying that it afforded him early exposure to the Asaba royal institution and its traditions.

He reiterated his commitment to reviving and strengthening the relationship between the two kingdoms, emphasising the importance of unity for the progress of their people and the country.

Ogiame Atuwatse III also extended an invitation to the Asagba to attend his fifth coronation anniversary, scheduled for August, expressing the hope for continued collaboration in the years ahead.

Niger Delta

NCos Investigates Explosives Recovery At Ikot Ekpene Facility

Published

4 days ago

May 6, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Command in Akwa Ibom State says investigation is ongoing on the recent recovery of explosive materials at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSC Richard Metong, told The Tide’s source in Uyo, the State’s capital, that the centre was safe and secure.

“We are currently investigating the incident, we must identify those responsible for that.

“We are working with sister security agencies to ensure that those behind the act are unmasked and prosecuted”, he said.

Metong continued that the command had maintained a close watch at the facility since the recovery of the explosives.

“Normal activities are going on at the center, There is no panic anywhere within and outside the facility”, he said.

The PRO stated that the command had activated inter-agency operation at all custodial centres in the state.

It would be recalled that on April 28, some explosive materials were recovered within the premises of the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre.

According to police statement, the recovered include, 90mm high explosive rounds and 45cm length of burning fuse.

The police also recovered one pair of pincers, one flat screwdriver, two pieces of 12mm iron chisels and one 6cm conduit iron pipe.

Niger Delta

INC Polls: NRC Passes Confidence Vote On Electoral C’tte … Wants Diri, Others To Mediate For Unity

Published

4 days ago

May 6, 2026

The Tide

The National Representative Council (NRC) of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), on Monday passed a vote of confidence on the Justice Francis Tabai-led National Electoral Committee which conducted the April 13th 2026 National Executive Council (NEC) elections of the socio-cultural organization.

The NRC is the legislative arm of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body, the INC.

Speaking during a valedictory plenary, members of the council praised the electoral umpire for conducting what it described as free, fair and credible polls, saying nothing less was expected of it.

According to the body, the Chairman of the electoral body and its members displayed the highest level of professionalism and were unbiased in the assignment given them, saying members of the electoral body remain some of the most sincere and disciplined minds in the Ijaw nation.

While speaking on a recent letter, which allegedly emanated from the office of the outgoing National Secretary of the INC, purportedly saying that the outgoing NEC would swear in a new NRC, the Legislative Leader of the NRC, His Royalty, Anyanate Kio, condemned the statement, noting that the outgoing National Scribe’s letter was faulty .

He noted the letter does not have the backing of Congress nor does it have that of the INC President, but that it came from the wishful thinking of the incumbent National Secretary, describing the letter as that of a wrongful thought.

“Yes, elections have come and gone. The electoral committee did a great job by conducting not only a free and fair election, but for also giving so much credibility to the system by using electronics voting.

“As members of the NRC, we believe and know that there is no election in any part of the world which is totally perfect, hence we’ll like to commend the National Council of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-CITRE) for playing a fatherly role in the process.

“We believe also that the Governor-General of Ijaw nation, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, and other stakeholders will work towards finding lasting solutions to the grey areas and contending issues surrounding the just-concluded elections.

“But part of our resolutions today at plenary was that all members of the NRC participated and did well as members in the past four years in the NRC, and therefore we want to give them certificates of excellent participation”, the NRC leader said.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa