Nigeria has taken delivery from the Netherlands of 119 pieces of priceless “Benin Bronze” artefacts looted more than 120 years ago, the country’s museum commission and the Dutch embassy said June 18.

It is the latest return of artefacts to Africa, as pressure mounts on Western governments and institutions to hand back the spoils of colonial oppression.

“On this historic occasion it gives us great joy to finally welcome the return of 119 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands,” said Mr Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

“This represents the largest physical return to Nigeria and the people of Benin since the looting of the Benin Royal Palace by the British in 1897,” he said in a statement jointly issued with the Dutch embassy in Nigeria.

“The symbolism of this occasion cannot be overemphasised and what it means for the pride and dignity of not just the Benin people, but the whole of Nigeria,” added Mr Holloway.

The story of the Benin Bronzes is one of violence and tragedy. It began when nine British officers were killed on a trade mission to the then-independent kingdom of Benin, in the south of present-day Nigeria.

The British reaction was fierce. London deployed a military expedition to avenge its officers.

The troops killed several thousand locals and torched Benin’s capital city. They looted the royal palace, stealing hundreds of artworks, including the Benin Bronzes.

Most of the ornate bronzes were then sold to finance the expedition, auctioned off or sold to museums across Europe and the United States.

This was in 1897, and 128 years later, Nigeria is still negotiating the return of the bronzes around the world – with mixed results.

Dutch Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation Dewi van de Weerd hailed Nigeria for persistently campaigning for the return of the cultural artefacts.

“We hope that this restitution is not the final chapter, but the foundation for further cooperation between Dutch and Nigerian museums,” said Ms van de Weerd in the joint statement.

Of the 119 objects, 113 were part of the Dutch State Collection, while the Rotterdam municipality returned the other six. The pieces will be officially handed over on June 21.

…Begs IKEDC to fix faulty transformer

Residents and business owners on six streets — Raji Oba, Awoyemi, Folarin, Ajala, Olonade and Akinshola — in Alimosho area of Lagos State have decried the over three months’ power outage.

Frustrated by the prolonged blackout caused by a faulty transformer supplying power to the area, the residents took to social media asking the Ikeja Distribution Company to fix their faulty transformer.

According to them, the power outage which started since second week of March 2025 is crippling businesses and severely impacting the quality of life in the community.

The residents called on Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) to urgently look into situation and address the prolonged power outage by fixing the faulty transformer in the area.

It was gathered that the six streets are categorised under the Band A, and ought to enjoy 20 to 24 hours of power supply daily.

However, these consumers complained that this has not been the case for over three months since the transformer was taken away.

They added that the prolonged lack of supply of electricity has made them vulnerable to attacks from marauders who operate under the cover of darkness.

One of the residents, Micheal, said the lack of power supply had worsened commercial activities in the community, adding that access to water resources had also been affected.

Michael said: “So, we are pleading as a community, as one, for Ikeja Electric and the appropriate authorities to listen to our cries to save our communities.

Olonade-Akinsola and other streets have always been a good community and we want it to remain like this.”

“We have been struggling in darkness,” another resident, who identified herself as Mama Chioma, said.

“We have been in total blackout for over three months, crippling businesses. We are pleading with IKEDC to urgently address this,” she further pleaded.

In a letter dated March 16 and addressed to IKEDC by the Olonade-Akinsola community titled: ‘Urgent request for Band A intervention on prolonged power outage in our community’, it noted that several efforts and reports have been made to IKEDC’s customer service and local office, but the situation remains unresolved.

“The power failure has severely impacted our daily activities, businesses, healthcare services and overall well-being in these six streets.

“We are yet to receive a clear response regarding an estimated time for restoration.

The continuous blackout has caused significant discomfort, economic losses, security concerns within our community.

“In the light of the above, we respectfully request urgent intervention and directive to the appropriate department to expedite the resolution of this issue,” the letter read in part.

The community further called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to urgently intervene in the situation.

Source: Tribune

The pain is raw. The sorrow is deep.

Senator Dr George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation , arrived his homestead – Benue, and shares on his X:

” I returned home, ahead of @officialABAT ’s condolence visit to Benue, weighed down by the grief of the Yelewata killings.

I was at the sites of the attack, met survivors who spoke through tears, & visited those fighting for their lives at BSUTH.

The pain is raw. The sorrow is deep.

I brought Mr. President’s heartfelt condolences to the people & the FG’s commitment to end this pogrom.

But I also bring my personal vow too- I will not abandon my own.

I will stand with you- and we will not rest till our homesteads are secure & peace returns to our lands.

At the Market IDP camp, I met families still reeling from loss — displaced, grieving, and living in difficult conditions. Their resilience moved me deeply.

This crisis has gone on too long. No one deserves to live in fear or uncertainty in their own homeland.This really hurts.”

∆ Ohibaba.com