News
FG will take possession of looted Benin bronzes – Minister
The Federal Government says it will take possession of the 1,130 looted Benin bronzes being expected from Germany in line with operative conventions and laws.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said this on Saturday in Lagos, while addressing a news conference on The FG’s efforts to repatriate the looted artifacts from around the world.
The minister was reacting to the controversy that had trailed who will take possession of the expected artifact between the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
While the Oba wants the artefacts stolen from Benin Palace in 1987 returned to a museum to be built within the Palace premises, the governor prefers a private trust to take custody and manage the artifacts.
The minister however said the federal government was the entity recognised by international law as the authority in control of antiquities originating from the country.
The minister said, “The Federal Government is aware of the widely-reported controversy on who will take possession of the Benin Bronzes when they are returned from Germany.
“Let me state clearly here that, in line with international best practice and the operative Conventions and laws, the return of the artefacts is being negotiated bilaterally between the national governments of Nigeria and Germany.
“Nigeria is the entity recognised by international law as the authority in control of antiquities originating from Nigeria.
“The relevant international Conventions treat heritage properties as properties belonging to the nation and not to individuals or subnational groups.”
The minister cited the 1970 UNESCO Convention, in its Article 1 which defines cultural property as property specifically designated by that nation.
He said the provision allows individual nations to determine what it regards as their cultural property.
He, however, noted that the provision notwithstanding, his ministry had been working over the past years to repatriate looted artifacts in partnership with traditional institutions and state governments.
“What we are saying, in essence, is that the federal government will take possession of these antiquities, because it is its duty to do so, in line with the extant laws.
“We have always exercised this right in cognizance of that culture that produced the artworks.
“That is why the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments have always involved both the Edo State government and the Royal Benin Palace in discussions and negotiations that have now resulted in the impending return of these antiquities,’’ he said.
The minister said the federal government was not just involved in the repatriation of Benin artifacts.
He said his ministry was also working on repatriating Ife Bronzes and Terracotta, Nok Terracotta, Owo Terracotta, the arts of the Benue River Valley, the Igbo Ukwu and the arts of Bida, Igala, Jukun etc.
Mohammed commended the Government of Germany for taking the lead in the global efforts to repatriate all artifacts that were looted from Nigeria and from the African continent.
“As I said during the meeting in Berlin, we see Germany as a leader in the efforts to take practical steps to repatriate our stolen artifacts, and we hope Germany will sustain that lead.
He also applauded the development that the repatriation of the artifacts would be the beginning of a new vista of stronger relations and cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and Germany.
He disclosed that there would be archaeological training for Nigerians among other benefits accruing from the ongoing talks.
“The Nigerian side and the German side agreed to Nigeria’s proposal to use the repatriated artifacts and other works of art to inspire Nigeria’s Creative Industry towards realising its high potential.
“For this and other purposes, it was agreed that the Germans will facilitate the establishment of an academy in Nigeria,” he said.
The minister equally thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki for his commitment as well as the Oba for sending the Benin Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Ezelekhae Ewuare, to be a part of the Nigerian delegation to Berlin.
![]()
News
Court remands alleged ‘fake PFIPC DG’ Adeyemi in Kuje over forgery
Court remands alleged ‘fake PFIPC DG’ Adeyemi in Kuje over forgery
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, at the Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged forgery.
Justice Muhammed Umar reportedly made the order on Wednesday after Adeyemi was arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery.
Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court also fixed October 12, 2026, for the hearing of his bail application and directed that the case be given accelerated hearing.
One of the allegations against Adeyemi relates to the alleged forgery of presidential letterhead paper on March 8, 2024.
He was also accused of allegedly forging a request for collaboration with the Ministry of the Area Councils, as well as documents requesting land allocation and office accommodation across the 36 states of the federation.
The documents were allegedly presented as having emanated from the State House in Abuja.
The case is connected to the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation the Federal Government has said was never established as a government agency.
The Presidency had earlier disowned the organisation and warned members of the public and foreign missions against dealing with Adeyemi on the basis of his alleged claim to have been appointed by the Presidency.
The government subsequently said investigations had established that the purported agency was fictitious and alleged that Adeyemi used forged appointment letters and other government documents to present himself as a presidential appointee.
The authorities further alleged that documents associated with the purported organisation were used to seek official recognition and diplomatic assistance.
The controversy also attracted the attention of the House of Representatives, which investigated the activities of the organisation and the circumstances surrounding Adeyemi’s alleged appointment.
During the investigation, lawmakers were told that the appointment letter allegedly presented by Adeyemi had been confirmed to be fake by relevant government authorities.
The case has also raised questions over how the purported organisation was able to operate and obtain correspondence with some government institutions before the Presidency publicly disowned it.
Adeyemi, however, has denied the allegations against him and previously made counter-allegations concerning the circumstances surrounding his purported appointment. He has also questioned references to the PFIPC in government documents.
Those claims remain part of the wider controversy and have yet to be determined by the court.
With the latest order, Adeyemi will remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
His bail application is expected to come up on October 12, 2026.
The allegations against him remain unproven until determined by the court.
Court remands alleged ‘fake PFIPC DG’ Adeyemi in Kuje over forgery
![]()
News
FG Opens Nationwide Youth Registration, Targets Nigerians Aged 15–35
FG Opens Nationwide Youth Registration, Targets Nigerians Aged 15–35
The Federal Government has commenced nationwide registration of Nigerians aged 15 to 35 under the National Youth Data Bank (NYDB), a new initiative designed to build a reliable database of young people and support access to jobs, skills training, internships, entrepreneurship and other opportunities.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the commencement of the exercise as the government launched the National Youth Data Bank, saying accurate youth data would help improve the planning, targeting and delivery of government programmes.
The NYDB is designed to capture information on young Nigerians, including their education, skills, employment, entrepreneurship and other demographic characteristics. The official platform says the database is intended to provide a centralised and continuously updated picture of Nigeria’s youth population.
The government said the initiative is not an electoral registration exercise but a youth development programme aimed at improving how government identifies young people and connects them with relevant opportunities.
The registration covers young Nigerians in different sectors and settings, including those in schools, the informal sector, agriculture, sports, creative industries and technology.
READ ALSO:
- Dangote Draws Battle Lines as Fuel Import Fight Heads Back to Court
- Tinubu Returns After 30 Days in Europe, Says ‘I’m Healthy and Ready to Work’
- NMDPRA Moves Against Fuel Pump Fraud, Threatens Licence Revocation
A key part of the exercise is the establishment of approved NYDB registration centres or cluster points. According to the official NYDB platform, young Nigerians can register at approved locations within their state, Local Government Area (LGA), school or other specially designated locations.
This means that not every school, LGA office or public facility is automatically a registration centre. Applicants are expected to use approved NYDB cluster points, where trained registration personnel will guide them through the process.
The exercise is being extended across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with the programme designed to reach young people in rural and underserved communities as well as those in urban areas.
The registration process begins with a visit to an approved NYDB cluster point, followed by an eligibility check and the creation of a youth profile. Participants are then required to confirm the information provided before completing the registration.
The 15 to 35 age bracket is the target population for the data-bank exercise. The database is expected to be updated continuously to maintain current information on eligible young Nigerians.
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development says the information gathered will help government understand where young people are located, what qualifications and skills they have, whether they are employed or seeking opportunities, and what forms of support may be required.
The NYDB platform identifies education, skills, employment, entrepreneurship, civic participation and health among the key areas of information being developed to strengthen youth-focused planning and interventions.
The initiative is also expected to improve the ability of government and authorised partners to identify young people who may be missing from existing datasets, particularly those in rural communities and underserved groups.
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has separately announced plans for a National Youth Confab 2026, scheduled to begin in October, with participation expected from young Nigerians across the country’s 360 federal constituencies.
For Nigerians within the 15–35 age bracket, the government is therefore encouraging participation through the approved NYDB registration centres as the nationwide exercise expands.
FG Opens Nationwide Youth Registration, Targets Nigerians Aged 15–35
![]()
News
Tinubu Returns After 30 Days in Europe, Says ‘I’m Healthy and Ready to Work’
Tinubu Returns After 30 Days in Europe, Says ‘I’m Healthy and Ready to Work’
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending about 30 days in Europe, declaring that he is healthy, sound and ready to work after his extended working vacation.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 6:22pm on Tuesday after departing Paris, France, where he spent the final part of his trip.
Speaking briefly after his arrival, the President said he had enjoyed his time abroad and dismissed concerns about his health.
“I enjoyed myself,” Tinubu said when asked about his trip.
Asked whether he was ready to resume work, he replied: “Ready to kick. Ready to work. There’s nothing wrong.” He also described himself as “healthy, sound and ready to go.”
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for what was initially announced as a three-week working vacation. He spent time in London before travelling to Paris, with the Presidency later announcing an extension of his stay.
During the European trip, Tinubu maintained contact with Nigerian officials and continued to receive updates on government affairs, according to the Presidency.
READ ALSO:
- NMDPRA Moves Against Fuel Pump Fraud, Threatens Licence Revocation
- $2.1m Land Suit: Court Orders Wike’s Son to Produce American Passport
- Two Nigerians Jailed 15 Years Over $2.4m US Cyber Fraud
While in Paris, he held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace and met French businessman Vincent Bolloré and executives of the Bolloré Group.
He also witnessed the signing of an agreement involving the Ogun State Government and DP World for the proposed development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Economic Zone. The Presidency has described the proposed project as a $7 billion investment.
Tinubu’s extended stay abroad attracted public debate, particularly after he did not personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the UNGA and delivered the country’s national statement.
The Presidency defended the arrangement, maintaining that Tinubu remained in charge of government and continued to direct affairs while abroad.
His return to Nigeria through Lagos also comes ahead of the country’s 66th Independence Day celebrations on October 1.
Tinubu is expected to attend the premiere of MKO, a documentary on the life of the late businessman and pro-democracy campaigner MKO Abiola, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
The film features archival material and interviews with prominent Nigerians, including former military leaders Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and Tinubu.
Tinubu’s return brings his extended European working vacation to an end, with the President expected to resume his regular official engagements as the administration enters the final quarter of 2026.
Tinubu Returns After 30 Days in Europe, Says ‘I’m Healthy and Ready to Work’
![]()
-
metro2 days agoOsogbo Food Bonanza Turns Nightmare as Discount Vendor Vanishes With Customers’ Millions
-
metro2 days ago24 Hours in Darkness: Iju Ishaga Residents, Businesses Count Losses as Ikeja Electric Fails to Restore Power
-
News3 days agoAgbede Mourns Baba Alado, Says Mushin Has Lost Pillar of Peace
-
Education2 days agoFG Releases 2026–2028 Approved Textbooks, Introduces QR Codes for Tracking
-
Sports1 day agoNigeria XI vs Guinea-Bissau: Awoniyi, Lookman, Adams Lead Super Eagles Attack
-
News2 days agoBreaking: Tinubu Ends Extended European Vacation, Departs Paris for Nigeria
-
Politics3 days agoWhy I Can No Longer Defend Peter Obi’s Lifestyle – Okonkwo
-
metro1 day agoHamzat Clarifies Lagos Traffic ‘Lifestyle’ Remark After Backlash
