BREAKING: Macron Agrees to Return 26 Cultural Artefacts to Benin Republic

The French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron on Friday, 23rd November 2018 graciously approved to return 26 cultural artifacts to Benin Republic “without delay”.

It would be recalled that the West African nation was a colony of France from 1872 till 1st August 1960 when they got their independence.

The move could put pressure on other former colonial powers to return looted African artworks to their countries of origin.

The decision — which Macron said should not be seen as an isolated or symbolic case — came as the president received the findings of a study he commissioned on repatriating African treasures held by French museums.

Macron agreed to return the 26 works, mainly royal statues from the Palaces of Abomey — formerly the capital of the kingdom of Dahomey — taken by the French army during a war in 1892 and now in Paris’ Quai Branly museum.

In addition, he proposed gathering African and European partners in Paris next year to define a framework for an “exchange policy” for African artworks.

The president “hopes that all possible circulation of these works are considered: returns but also exhibitions, loans, further cooperation”, the Elysee palace said.

Ousmane Aledji, director of the Benin cultural centre Artisttik Africa, said he was pleased to see “a new form of cultural exchange” with France.

Britain has also faced calls to return artefacts, including the Elgin Marbles to Greece and the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, while museums in Belgium and Austria house tens of thousands of African pieces.

Calls have been growing in Africa for restitution of artworks, but French law strictly forbids the government from ceding state property, even in well-documented cases of pillaging.

In 2016 Benin demanded France return items including statues, artworks, carvings, sceptres and sacred doors.

While that request was initially denied, in November 2016 Macron raised hopes in a speech in Burkina Faso, pledging to “return African heritage to Africa”.

Following his speech, Macron asked French art historian Benedicte Savoy and Senegalese writer Felwine Sarr to study the matter.

Their report, a copy of which has been seen by AFP, has been welcomed by advocates of the restitution of works which were bought, bartered, or in some cases simply stolen.

It proposes legislation be developed to return thousands of African artefacts taken during the colonial period to nations that request them.

There are conditions, however, including a request from the relevant country, precise information about the works’ origins, and the existence of proper facilities such as museums to house the works back in their home country.

Macron’s office said that museums will be invited to “identify African partners and organise possible returns” and should quickly establish “an online inventory of their African collections”.

The president also called for “in-depth work with other European states that retain collections of the same nature acquired in comparable circumstances”.

A UNESCO convention against the export of illicit cultural goods adopted in 1970 called for the return of cultural property taken from a country but it did not address historic cases, including from the colonial era.

With museums fearing they could be forced to return artefacts, former colonial powers have been slow to ratify the convention: France only did so 1997, Britain in 2002, Germany in 2007 and Belgium in 2009.

On Tuesday, the governor of Easter Island in the Pacific tearfully begged the British Museum to return one of its famous statues.

The London museum has held the Hoa Hakananai’a, one of the most spiritually important of the Chilean island’s stone monoliths, for 150 years.

Of the estimated 90,000 African artworks in French museums, around 70,000 are at the Quai Branly museum, created by ex-president Jacques Chirac, a keen admirer of African and Asian art.

Elsewhere in Europe, 37,000 objects from Sub-Saharan Africa were at Vienna’s Weltmuseum and 180,000 were at Belgium’s Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren.

The report commissioned by Macron said such collections were effectively depriving Africans of their artistic and cultural heritage.

“On a continent where 60 percent of the population is under the age of 20 years old, what is first and foremost of a great importance is for young people to have access to their own culture, creativity, and spirituality from other eras,” it said

BREAKING: Interpol Elects Jong-yang as President

The International police (Interpol) has elected Kim Jong-yang of South-Korea as its new president, according to the Interpol body.

Mr. Jong-yang, who had been serving as acting president, was elected for a two-year term at the body's annual congress in Dubai on Wednesday, 21st November 2018 finishing the four-year term of his predecessor who was arrested in China this year.

"Our world is now facing unprecedented changes which present huge challenges to public security and safety," Jong-yang told Interpol's general assembly, according to the agency's Twitter handle.

"To overcome them, we need a clear vision: we need to build a bridge to the future."

It's noteworthy that Mr. Jong-yang, 57, worked in the South Korean police for more than 20 years before retiring in 2015.

South Korea's President, Mr. Moon Jae-in congratulated Mr. Jong-yang on becoming the first South Korean to head the revered global organisation.

"We're very proud. I, together with our people, am sending congratulations," Jae-in wrote on his Twitter handle.

The South Korean's election is a blow to Moscow's efforts to reserve the position for a Russian candidate, Mr. Alexander Prokopchuk.

The United States, Britain and other European nations rejected Prokopchuk's candidature saying his election would lead to further Russian abuses of Interpol's red notice system to go after political opponents and fugitive dissidents.

Following the vote on Wednesday, the Kremlin said that clear outside pressure had been exerted on the election, though it did not see any factors that would render the process illegitimate; the Russia's Interfax news agency reported.

BREAKING: Nigeria Declares Tuesday Public Holiday

The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria has declared Tuesday, 20th November 2018 as public holiday to mark the Eid-El Maulud commemoration usually observed by the Islamic community glabally.

This was announced by the country's Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) in a statement signed by the permanent secretary, Dr. M.B Umar.

He urged all Muslim faithful to align themselves with the prophet’s teachings which border on piety, charity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence, among others.

Dambazau equally called on all Nigerians to uphold these virtues, with a view to overcoming the current national challenges facing the country.

He assured that “the Federal Government remains committed to the unity of the country and as such, will put adequate structures on ground towards ensuring that the forthcoming general elections are credible, free and fair.”

JUST IN: Here is Full Text of Buhari's Speech in Paris

 

President Muhamnadu Buhari was in Paris, France between Sunday, November 11 and Tuesday, November 13, 2018 for the first edition of the Paris Peace Forum.

The Nigerian leader spoke on Monday, 12th November 2018 on “Illicit financial flows (IFFs) and corruption: the challenge of global governance.”

Here is the full text of the President’s speech:

I am delighted to be part of the inaugural edition of the Paris Peace Forum and would like to commend the Government of France for this laudable initiative.

We also thank France for inviting Nigeria to participate in the forum on the sidelines of the Centenary Celebration of the Armistice. It is important to recall that although Nigeria was not independent at the time, the fact remains that it had participated in the war efforts.

3. Nigeria contributed a company of riflemen and support services to the war under the Royal West African Frontier Forces.

4. I should like on this Remembrance Day, to pay tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of all those who had fallen in battle and the pain and suffering of those they left behind.

5. More than half a million Africans fought in the trenches of the First World War for France alone. There was bitter fighting also in east and southern Africa and around Cameroon and Nigeria. We shall not forget.

6. I believe this Forum would provide the needed opportunity for knowledgeable exchange and sharing of best practices on the challenges militating against the much needed good governance in many countries of the world. It is on this premise that my presentation will dwell on “Illicit Financial Flows And Corruption: The Challenge of Global Governance”.
Distinguished Participants,

7. The cancerous effects of Illicit Financial Flows and corruption on the socio-economic development of countries are glaringly evident. The negative impact and ramifications of Illicit Financial Flows are many-sided.
The list which is long and ever-growing, includes:
a. Draining of foreign exchange reserves;
b. Reduction of tax/revenue collection;
c. Poor investment inflows due to near absence of credibility, transparency and policy stability.

8. Illicit financial flows escalate poverty by denying the citizens the benefit of the resources meant for development.

9. This is a crime of opportunity which thrives most in permissive environments. Such outflows further undermine the rule of law, stifle trade and worsen macro-economic conditions.

10. These reprehensible acts are being perpetrated by several international tax havens and secret jurisdictions, which facilitate the operation of:
a. Disguised corporations;
b. Anonymous trust accounts;
c. Fake charitable foundations;
d. Money laundering and transfer pricing mechanisms.

11. Indeed, Illicit Financial Flows have exacerbated poverty and inequality in many societies of the world. Thus, concerted and multi-jurisdictional efforts must be deployed to frontally tackle the menace.

12. Combating corruption has been a defining feature of our Government. Upon assuming office on 29th May, 2015, we made fighting corruption one of the three pillars of our Administration’s priority programmes, given the fact that corruption was threatening the very foundation of our national life, socio-economic development, security and even the consolidation of our democracy.

13. We continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for corrupt practices and non-conformity conduct in public life, by confronting corruption head-on. This is predicated on the fact that we remain steadfast in our commitment of ensuring integrity and ethical conduct in the task of governance. We are mindful of the primacy of leadership by example in this regard.

14. Our efforts at fighting corruption are firmly within the limits of the rule of law, in spite of the interest-forcing strategies of those who chose to discountenance the fundamental value of compliance with the laws of the land.

15. With the progress we have made, we feel the need to ensure that we put enduring institutional frameworks in place for action and measures that will consolidate our achievements in the fight against Illicit Financial Flows and corruption.

16. In the circumstances, strengthening the institutional capacity of anti-corruption bodies has been accorded due attention. For us, therefore, effective institutions and political will are strong counter-measures against corruption and Illicit Financial Flows.

17. In addition, we introduced the Whistle-Blowing policy, whereby information on the violation of financial regulations, mismanagement of public funds and assets, financial malpractices or fraud as well as theft can be reported to authorities.

18. This policy is geared towards ensuring public accountability and transparency, and it has yielded dividends, as we have recovered billions of Naira from corrupt persons and companies.

19. We have also redirected recovered funds to the development of critical infrastructure and programmes that will benefit our people. Funds and assets recovered through our actions, will be deployed in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

20. At the continental level, the African Union also launched the war against corruption and bestowed on me the honour to champion the cause. In this connection, our priorities for international cooperation as a continent will focus on the following:
a. Strengthening international cooperation on asset tracing, recovery and repatriation;
b. Enhancing cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations’ anti-corruption monitoring mechanisms through stronger engagement; and
c. Widening the understanding and relevance of anti-corruption efforts towards the realization of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

21. Appropriate legislation and policies which promote transparent financial transactions should be encouraged.

22. In addition, regulatory institutions and agencies should be strengthened to fight corruption. Nigeria has a good example in this regard with the Tax Appeal Tribunal inaugurated recently. The Tribunal arbitrates between tax payers and government in order to ensure equity and fairness in tax administration.

23. In accordance with relevant international statutes, asset return is unconditional. It is a commitment which members of the international community must abide by.

24. Nigeria, therefore, reiterates its commitment to all existing international legal frameworks to enforce anti-corruption measures, including the recovery and return of stolen assets.
Distinguished Participants,

25. While acknowledging the tremendous progress that has been achieved through the enactment of global instruments, some fundamental technical issues remain unresolved.

26. These revolve around the formulation of policy and regulatory frameworks that cut across different jurisdictions. We must not lose sight of the role played by secret companies, banks and law firms, all too often based in developed economies and their related offshore centres.

27. Recent studies reveal that flaws in the global financial system enable corrupt individuals to hide details of their financial dealings under the noses of governments and law enforcement agencies. This underscores the need to urgently address the issue of Mutual Legal Assistance, as well as continental legal frameworks, in the context of safe havens for illicit transfers.
Distinguished Participants,

28. Our experience in Nigeria is that financial crimes, such as corruption and fraudulent activities, generate enormous unlawful profits which often prove so lucrative that the threat of a jail term is not sufficient to deter perpetrators.

29. A more powerful deterrent is to ensure that profits and assets generated from illicit financial flows and corruption are recovered and returned to countries of origin.

30. This is not to under-estimate the value of strong institutions. It only indicates that asset recovery represents significant deterrence compared to the traditional focus on obtaining conviction by the law enforcement agencies of the countries of origin.
Distinguished Participants,

31. As we take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of domestic, regional and international mechanisms against Illicit Financial Flows, I seize this opportunity to recall the Global Declaration Against Corruption made in London in 2016 and our commitment thereto.

32. Among other things, the Declaration encapsulates our collective commitment to the principles of Open Government Partnership, especially the National Action Plans to actualize beneficial ownership transparency, enhance the capacity of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), reinforce Independent Reporting Mechanisms and support the activities of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. We should remain resolute in our commitment to the aforementioned goals.

33. Similarly, we must crack down on safe havens for corrupt assets. I also advocate sanctions by professional bodies against transactional middlemen (lawyers, bankers, brokers, public officials, etc.) who facilitate Illicit Financial Flows.

34. I would like to reiterate that the Government of Nigeria remains open and is ever willing to continue to identify and share experiences and strategies to give life to the ideas that will lead to winning the fight against corruption.

Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen,

35. Finally, let me reiterate the importance of unity and collective action. It is only together that we stand a better chance to win the fight against the menace of Illicit Financial Flows and corruption.
I thank you for your patience and attention.

BREAKING: No Amount is Agreed Yet on Minimum Wage -- Presidency

In what could be described as a u-turn, the Nigeria's presidency on Thursday, 8th November 2018 said President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to endorse any figure as the new national minimum wage contrary to the speculations making the round.

It said the reports that Buhari reneged on earlier acceptance of the N30,000 recommended by the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee were therefore not correct.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, made the clarification in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

He said what Buhari committed himself to was a new minimum wage only after the report of the committee has been reviewed by the executive and legislative processes of government and an appropriate bill presented to him for assent.

The presidential spokesman said through the period the committee submitted its report to Buhari, “the President never mentioned any figure. What he committed himself to was a new minimum wage, and only after the report of the committee has been reviewed by the executive and legislative processes of government and an appropriate bill presented to him for assent.

“Until the proposed minimum wage has gone through the whole gamut of law-making, President Buhari, who is a stickler for due process, will not be caught in this unnecessary web of controversy, which amounts to putting the cart before the horse and hair-splitting.

“As for those who have latched onto the concocted controversy to play cheap politics, we appeal to them to remember that elections are not won through loquaciousness, and trying to demean the President at every drop of a hat.

“But then, it is not surprising, as they have nothing else to sell to Nigerians, if they don’t ride on the name of the President. Stiff judgment awaits them at the polls.”

While saying the Presidency is concerned over what he described as the recurring reports, Adesina insisted that the reports are contrary to what transpired on when the committee presented its report to the President.

He said while acknowledging the concerns raised by government on affordability and Labour’s focus on meaningful increase, Buhari stated clearly in his speech, that, “In a way, both arguments are valid. I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas.

“Our plan is to transmit an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time.

“I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.
“As the Executive arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report.

“I, therefore, would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.”

It would, however, be recalled that on Monday, 6th November 2018 - 24hours before the day stipulated by the organized labour for commencement  of an industrial action over the minimum wage disagreement - on receipt of the comprehensive report from the tripartite committee, President Buhari reportedly agreed on the figure and promised to send the bill in that regard to the National Assembly (NASS) with immediate effect for onward deliberation.

BREAKING: Buhari Declares State of Emergency on Water, Sanitation Sector

 
The Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari has declared State of Emergency on the country's water, sanitation sector towards the government's quest in improving water supply and hygiene across the federation.

The declaration was coming just 24 hours after Nigerians were informed by the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu that the number one citizen would on Thursday, 8th November 2018 declare state of emergency on the said sector.

Mr. Adamu made the disclosure during the Special Town Hall Meeting of the Federal Government held at Emeritus Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall of University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.

The town hall meeting, which held on Wednesday, 7th November 2018, was aimed at briefing the people on the achievements of the Buhari-led administration in infrastructural development.

“I wish to inform you that for the first time in Africa, President Buhari is going to declare state of emergency on water and sanitation, precisely on November 8.

 

The minister lamented about several abandoned water projects across the federation under the past administrations and said that sum of N3 billion would be provided annually to states with workable water master plans.

“The existing master plan on water resources in the country was abandoned and contracts were awarded without recourse to the needs of the country.

“To realise adequate water supply, we would increase our intervention to support state governments to N3 billion annually. This would be for states that have proper water master plan,” he said.
He said government would also return the monthly environmental sanitation to address issue of open defecation and other sanitation issues.

He said the federal government was working round the clock to provide adequate water supply to communities and cities across Nigeria.

The minister said the present administration had inaugurated many water projects, among which he said were to cater for power supply, irrigation dams and domestic water supply.

“This is why the president has decided to take up the responsibility of supporting water infrastructure in Nigeria.’’

The minister also said that the federal government was working on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank to assist 6 cities in country on urban water supply.

He added that government would also sign a partnership arrangement to improve on the Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin to harness its full potential.

Making the declaration, the president said time had come to rigorously address the sector in question, which had overtime yearned for rescue.

JUST IN: Buhari Ready to Declare State of Emergency on Water, Sanitation

 
Suleiman Adamu, The Nigeria's Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu had disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari would declare a state of emergency on water and sanitation come November 8, 2018.

Mr. Adamu made the disclosure during the Special Town Hall Meeting of the Federal Government held at Emeritus Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall of University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.

The town hall meeting, which held on Wednesday, 7th November 2018, was aimed at briefing the people on the achievements of the Buhari-led administration in infrastructural development.

“I wish to inform you that for the first time in Africa, President Buhari is going to declare state of emergency on water and sanitation, precisely on November 8.

 

The minister lamented about several abandoned water projects across the federation under the past administrations and said that sum of N3 billion would be provided annually to states with workable water master plans.

“The existing master plan on water resources in the country was abandoned and contracts were awarded without recourse to the needs of the country.

“To realise adequate water supply, we would increase our intervention to support state governments to N3 billion annually. This would be for states that have proper water master plan,” he said.
He said government would also return the monthly environmental sanitation to address issue of open defecation and other sanitation issues.

He said the federal government was working round the clock to provide adequate water supply to communities and cities across Nigeria.

The minister said the present administration had inaugurated many water projects, among which he said were to cater for power supply, irrigation dams and domestic water supply.

 

He said, “It is a shame that today, there is no single city in this country that can boast of pipe-borne water supply and 100 per cent coverage to all the citizens.

“This is why the president has decided to take up the responsibility of supporting water infrastructure in Nigeria.’’
The minister also said that the federal government was working on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank to assist 6 cities in country on urban water supply.
He added that government would also sign a partnership arrangement to improve on the Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin to harness its full potential.

OBITUARY: Amagwula family Announces Burial of Late Mother

JUST IN: Labour Insists on Strike, Shuns Meeting with FG

Representatives of the Nigeria's organised labour on Sunday, 4th November 2018 shunned the meeting called by the Federal Government (FG) as part of efforts to stop the looming nationwide strike instigated mainly by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

It would be recalled that the unions’ planned indefinite strike scheduled to commence on Tuesday, 6th November 2018 was called to protest government’s failure to meet the labour’s demand for a new national minimum wage.
While state governors had proposed a new N22, 500 from the current N18, 000 minimum wage, the labour unions demand at least N30, 000.

Some government officials however attended the meeting hosted by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha which held behind closed door.

 

Rostrum gathered that those at the meeting included Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; officials of the National Salaries Income and Wage Commission, and some permanent secretaries.

Mr. Mustapha, who spoke before the meeting went into closed session, said the tripartite committee on National Minimum Wage set up by the FG would be concluding works on its report on Monday, 5th November 2018.

According to him, the FG was waiting for the report so that it could commence processes leading to the enactment of law on the new minimum wage.

He said the report would still go through the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Council of State before an Executive Bill would be sent to the National Assembly on the issue.

Mr. Mustapha stated that many states were still finding it difficult to pay the current minimum wage, recalling that the FG instituted bailout for the purpose of helping the states to meet up.

“The only outstanding issues left for the committee was to harmonise the 15th chapter of the report, harmonise figures and submit report to the President. I assure you that government is waiting for the report and will immediately set up processes required for implementation.

"Hopefully, their work would be concluded when they meet tomorrow (today) and append their signatures to the report.

“They will then transmit to me and I will seek an audience with the President to present it to him. The report will go through NEC, Council of State before a draft executive bill will be sent to NASS. I am awaiting the report of the committee. They will meet tomorrow (today) at 11am.

Rostrum further gathered that the two officials of the labour unions deliberately shunned the scheduled meeting with the government.

One of the unions' leader, who insisted on not being named, said “Our leaders got information that the government team shamelessly wanted to serve us a so-called court suit as part of measures to frustrate our planned strike.

"This strike is on behalf of Nigerian workers and the government has been deceiving us. We saw the handwriting on the wall especially after the warning strike.” the whistle blower landed.

SAD: Ojukwu's First Son, Debe dies @60

The first son of the Biafran war lord late Chief Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu in the person of Mr. Debe Sylvester Ojukwu has abruptly passed on in his Lagos residence at the age of 60.

The President-General of Nnewi Town Union (Nzuko Ora Nnewi), Sir Ugochukwu Udemezue said the death of Debe Ojukwu was a big loss to the community.

He confirmed the death of Debe, the 60 year old first son of the late Ikemba Nnewi, from Umudim.

On her part, the step-mother of the deceased, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu when contacted to confirm the eternal exit of her step-son, said it was not her duty to make announcements on behalf of the Ojukwu family. The former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain was contacted on the phone to confirm the reported death of her late husband’s first son, Debe Ojukwu but she declined.

 

Reminded that as a step mother of Debe, she probably must be one of the first persons to know about such things, she said Nnewi people have their customs and traditions. “According to our tradition, it is not my role to make such announcements. We have elders in the family who have such duties and functions,” she maintained.

The rumoured death of the lawyer son of the Biafran leader, had come to many as a shock, as he was said that he did not complain of any serious sickness before now.

But confirming the news on Saturday, 3rd November 2018, Sir Ugochukwu disclosed the deceased spoke with some of his town’s men on Monday and Tuesday, respectively where he complained of having ‘high sugar’ in his system.

He said the community had been thrown into mourning since the news broke out about his death, while confirming he died on the night of Friday, 2nd November 2018.

The President-General said the Improvement Union, Anaedo, Umudim, and indeed the entire Nnewi would miss him and would all be involved during his burial.

According to him, “my heart is broken and the people of Nnewi too. Yes, he is dead, he died on Friday,” he said.

“He spoke with some people on Monday and Tuesday where he complained of high sugar. When the time comes for his burial, everybody will be fully involved because he is our son,” he added.

It would be recalled that when late Ikemba Nnewi died some years ago, some family members wanted to stop Debe from participating in the burial.

As a result, he relocated to a nearby space from the family house to host his visitors, but the people of Nnewi, including the chiefs, were in his support.

One of the High Chiefs in Nnewi, who pleaded anonymity yesterday, told newsmen that it was time for the Ojukwu family to put quarrels aside and come together to give their illustrious son a befitting burial when the time comes.

Another family member of the Ojukwus’ who did not want her name mentioned, confirmed the death of Mr. Debe Ojukwu, but said it was the duty of the elders in Nnewi and family to talk on it.

Rostrum gathered that a condolence book had already been made available in honour of the deceased.