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US Commits To Return Nigeria’s Stolen Cultural Property
A Foreign Affairs Analyst for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Cultural Heritage Centre, Dr. Anne Compton, has undertaken a 10-day visit to Lagos, Benin City, and Abuja to discuss the return of Nigerian cultural property.
Her visit builds upon the historic signing of the U.S.-Nigerian Cultural Property Agreement on January 20.
A statement signed by the US Embassy in Abuja said that “Compton’s listening tour included a range of Nigerian stakeholders who discussed the best approaches to implement the new agreement.
“During her stay, Compton conducted extensive consultations with federal and state officials, including counterparts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Culture, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Port Authority, the National Archives, and ECOWAS.
“She also viewed major exhibitions on display at the National Museums in Benin City and in Lagos and visited the archaeological site of the 14th Century Sungbo’s Eredo monument near Epe, Lagos State.
“In addition to her official consultations, Compton led separate workshops for staff at the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and for members of the public at the American Corner in Abuja’s City Library.
“Topics included best practices in creating and maintaining object inventories for museums, in digitising collections of objects and manuscripts, conducting public education and outreach, and working with law enforcement partners to combat illegal trafficking.
“On January 20, the United States and Nigeria signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding that launches a Cultural Property Agreement between both nations.
“Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, and Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed signed the agreement at a ceremony attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and U.S. Embassy representatives.
“The agreement will enhance the strong cooperation to preserve and maintain Nigerian cultural landmarks and sites through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).
“Over the past decade, the United States has partnered with the Nigerian government and state institutions to fund projects totalling over $1million, including the $400,000 AFCP grant for the conservation of the Sungbo’s Eredo monument.
“The U.S. supports Nigeria’s efforts to stop threats against cultural property, such as pillage, destruction, and loss due to excavation, criminal activity, natural disasters, and subsistence digging.
“The agreement facilitates cooperation between U.S. and Nigerian law enforcement agencies and support efforts to identify, intercept, repatriate, and protect cultural property and related heritage.
“The agreement also promotes the exchange of archaeological and ethnological materials for scientific, cultural, and educational purposes with the aim of increasing public awareness of Nigerian cultural heritage”, the statement said.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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