News
Oba of Benin now has full statutory rights to returned artefacts – Okpebholo
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has officially granted full ownership rights of the repatriated Benin artefacts, looted during the 1897 British invasion, to the Oba of Benin.
In a statement on Sunday, Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, announced key decisions that affirm the administration’s respect for Benin’s cultural heritage and its traditional institutions.
Among the actions taken, Governor Okpebholo abolished the newly created traditional councils in Edo South established by the previous administration. He also revoked the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, previously converted into a motor park, restoring it to its original purpose.
On his inauguration on November 12, Governor Okpebholo had pledged to honor the Oba of Benin as the exclusive custodian of the artefacts returned from Western nations. This stance aligns with a Federal Government gazette recognizing the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, as the rightful owner of the artefacts through Government Notice No. 25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110.
Restoration of Traditional Authority
Governor Okpebholo has reinstated the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and emphasized maintaining the pre-existing status quo prior to the establishment of the abolished councils. His administration has also expressed full support for the construction of the Benin Royal Museum to house the artefacts, distancing itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWAA), an initiative championed by the previous administration.
According to Itua, “Governor Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II. The administration is committed to ensuring the Oba fulfills his role as custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.”
Non-Interference in Traditional Affairs
The governor further assured that his administration would refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council. “The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of their customs and traditions. My administration respects these traditions and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba as the true custodian of the returned artefacts,” Okpebholo said.
He reaffirmed his government’s dedication to supporting traditional institutions and ensuring the rights of the revered Oba are fully upheld. “Governor Okpebholo is leveraging his constitutional authority to restore all statutory rights of the Monarch not explicitly mentioned, in recognition of the Oba’s pivotal role in preserving the culture and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.”
News
Public holidays: FG declares December 25, 26, and January 1
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the public holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, as well as Thursday, January 1, 2026, as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year celebrations.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the public holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister extended warm Christmas and New Year felicitations to Christians in Nigeria and across the world.
He extended the same gestures “to all Nigerians as they celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one”.
Tunji-Ojo urged Christians to reflect on the virtues of love, peace, humility, and sacrifice as exemplified by the birth of Jesus Christ, noting that these values are critical to promoting unity, tolerance, and harmony in the nation.
News
KWAM1 loses bid to block Awujale selection process
KWAM1 had declared his interest in the vacant Awujale stool, claiming lineage from the Jadiara Royal House of the wider Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
• KWAM1
The Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode has refused to grant popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, alias KWAM1, an interim injunction aimed at restraining Governor Dapo Abiodun and five others from proceeding with the selection and installation of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Ayinde, represented in court by Wahab Shittu (SAN), had on Monday, sought the injunction pending the hearing of his substantive suit challenging the selection process.
But Justice A. A. Omoniyi dismissed the application, holding that the interim injunction lacked merit and that there were no strong grounds to justify its grant.
He subsequently ordered the expedited hearing of the substantive matter, fixing 14 January 2026 for proceedings.
KWAM1 had declared his interest in the vacant Awujale stool, claiming lineage from the Jadiara Royal House of the wider Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
However, the Fusengbuwa ruling house rejected his claim, stating that he is not from the royal house.
To challenge what he perceived as injustice, Ayinde filed a suit against the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Governor Abiodun, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and three others
News
November Petrol supply rises 55% to 71.5m litres daily
The report revealed that the domestic refineries supply in the period stood at 17.1 million litres per day, while the average daily consumption of PMS for the month was 52.9 million litres per day.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) November Fact -Sheets indicated that the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, increased to 71.5 million litres per day in November 2025 from 46 million litres per day in October. This was an increase of 55 per cent.
In the report released yesterday, the agency said that the nation’s consumption also increased by 44.5 per cent to 52.1 million litres per day in November 2025, compared to the 28.9 million litres in October,. an excess of 37.4 million litres.
It said that the volume supplied came from both the domestic and the international market.
NMDPRA noted that the imports were aimed at building inventory and further guaranteeing supply during the peak demand period.
Other reasons for the increase, according to the NMDPRA, were due to “low supply recorded in September and October 2025, below the national demand threshold; the need for boosting national stock level to meet the peak demand period of end of year festivities and twelve vessels programmed to discharge into October which spilled into November.
The report revealed that the domestic refineries supply in the period stood at 17.1 million litres per day, while the average daily consumption of PMS for the month was 52.9 million litres per day.
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