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As Nigerians Await Return Of Looted Benin Artifacts…

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The Benin artifacts are a group of more than a thousand metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin in what is now Nigeria. Collectively, the objects form the best known examples of Benin Art and were created from the 13th century onwards by artistes of the Edo people.
Apart from the plaques, other sculptures in Brass of Bronze include some famous portrait heads, jewellery and other smaller pieces. Most of the plaques and other objects were looted by British forces during the Benin expedition of 1897 as imperial control was being consolidated in southern Nigeria.
Two hundred pieces were taken to the British museum in London, while the rest found their way to other European museum. A large number are held by the British museum with other notable collections in Germany and united states. The Benin Bronze led to a greater appreciation in Europe of African culture and Art.
Initially, it appeared incredible to the discoverers that people “supposedly so primitive and savage” are responsible for such highly developed objects. Some even wrongly concluded that Benin knowledge of metallurgy came from the Portuguese traders who were in contact with Benin in the early modern period, the kingdom of Benin workmanship achieved its highest quality during the period.
While the collection was known as the Benin Bronze like most West African Bronzes, the pieces were mostly made of Brass of variable composition. There were also pieces made of mixtures of Bronze and Brass of wood, of ceramic and of ivory among other materials. The metal pieces were made using cast wax casting and are considered among the best sculptures made using this technique.
However, recent developments have shown that the precious artifacts that were looted during the colonial era will finally be returned to Nigeria, the German government has announced that the first returns are planned for 2022.
In a joint declaration published recently, German’s Ministry of Culture, state ministers and museum directors committed to “Substantive returns of Benin Bronzes, art work made of Bronzes, Brass and Ivory that were looted by the British in a raid in the kingdom of Benin in present day Nigeria in 1897 agreed to return them.
The Bronzes were subsequently distributed across the world and hundreds are currently held in German museums. Nigeria had sought for their return for decades, Germany is now leading in the global restitution movement”.
German culture Minister described the declaration as a historic milestone, “ this decision was a truce with parties, not a win-win or winner takes all, the declaration lays out plans for the first pieces to be returned next year and for a road map to guide additional restitution without specifying which artifacts or how many parties to the agreement have pledged to work with Nigerians partners including the legacy Restoration Trust which is leading the development of the new Edo museum for West African Art in Benin city, Edo state.
The announcement follows a visit by a German government delegation to Nigeria in March this year, after which the Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas signalled support for restitution. Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki who hosted the delegation subsequently announced the launch of a Legacy Restoration Trust and expressed hope that international co-oporation would go beyond the return of the objects.
“We believe that our collaboration should not only transcend to not only returning the works, but also understanding the significance and meaning of those works from our history”, Obaseki stated.
German has also committed to supplying expertise and funding for the new Museum designed by award winning architect David Adjaye and recently launched a knowledge exchange platform for collaboration between German and African museums.
According to Prof. Dan Hicks of Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford and author of a book on the Benin Bronzes “ This clear statement from such a powerful group of German museum leaders setting out their willingness to make substantive returns of Benin Bronzes will be very welcome to many.
The Bronzes have come to be regarded as among the finest artworks produced in Africa and individual pieces have sold for millions of dollars at auction. Nigeria’s campaign for their return predates the country’s independence in 1960. The issue has often been a source of tention in relations with former colonial powers such as diplomatic incident in 1977 sparked by the British museum’s refusal to return an Ivory mask on loan.
Returning looted artifacts will finally restore heritage to the brilliant cultures that made them. But after decades of little success, there have been signs of movement in recent years. In 2019, the French government commissioned a report recommending that museum artifacts from sub Saharan Africa be made available for restitution claims. The directors from museums in Netherlands have supported calls for a new process for restitution.
A handful of institutions have also acted in their own initiative. The national museum of Ireland recently committed to process for its Bronzes. According to the Times, while the University of Aberdeen has announced it will return a Bronze, United Kingdom laws forbid national museums from returning parts f their collections which has proved a significant barrier.
The British museum which holds the largest collection of bronzes from Benin has been a frequent target for campaign. Despite the setbacks created by the British authorities, there are positive developments in the other parts of the world to return the stolen artifacts back to Benin, Nigeria which would be a dream come true.

By: Jacob Obinna

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Need For Girl-Child Education In Society

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Girl-child education is a way by which a girl- child is being exposed through formal education for proper education.
It is a process whereby a girl-child is being exposed to some certain things according to “teachmit@wp”.
Girl-child education refers to the aspect of education that ends at developing the skills and knowledge of girls and women no matter their backgrounds.
Some parents think that educating a girl- child is wasting of their resources. No. When a female child is educated, it gives her that respect even the husband cannot treat her anyhow because he will know her worth.
The importance of educating the girl- child cannot be overemphasised. It helps to empower the country and makes them have a better life. Once they are educated, they realise the importance of exhibiting good hygiene habits.
It may interest you to know that when a girl-child is educated, she has a sense of belonging in the society. In Nigeria nowadays, they have the potential of becoming governors, chairmen of local government areas, among others.
The tendency of taking cognisance of the importance of reduction in child bearing is high. When a woman is educated, the level in which she will give birth will reduce considering the dangers inherent.
Firstly, she will calculate herself and know when to conceive, although with the consent of her husband and the numbers of children she wants.
A girl who is educated will know how to educate her children properly. She will be of good benefits to the family.
Truly, a girl who is not properly educated will suffer lack of knowledge, fall into early marriage which will lead into early pregnancy. Some of these can cause domestic violence.
Women need education because without proper knowledge, a woman cannot run her home properly. A woman that is educated leads her home aright.
Some men use and take advantage of uneducated women by rendering all kinds of abuses on them, some rape their wives in course of making love and others insults their wives in public all because there is no education. In life, males and females should be educated without discrimination.
Furthermore, educating a girl-child is like investing in a big business that one will not run into a loss.
According to Dr Shaifali, girls’ education is like sowing the seed which gives rise to a revitalised, cheerful and full-grown family plants.
She also said educated women have the capacity to bring socio- economic changes.
Growing up from the family of three, my father told me that he was not ready to train a female child and when I asked why, he said: ” because when you will grow and become great, then, a man will come from nowhere and marry you and all my money will be wasted. When you marry, your name will be changed that means all your riches and wealth will become your husband’s own because you people are one”.
Frankly, I was very bitter with myself and I started questioning God that why was I not created as man, but I took it upon myself that weather the devil likes it or not, I will prove my father wrong by going to school and I will show the difference.
As parents when training children we should not think less of any child because every child is important and have value.
Every child is a blessing from God. This is a clarion call to all men of our present society to accord their wives the respect they deserve. A man can develop his wife after marriage.
Education plays an important role in the life of a girl-child. Let every girl-child be educated. The government should provide the society with basic amenities such as good schools that are well-equipped.
Parents from time to time should be re-oriented in this regard taking cognisance of the importance of developing the girl-child. None should be misled by saying that the girl-child need not attend formal education.
Since some parents do not have the wherewithal to sponsor their children, governments at all levels should introduce free education to give room for equal opportunity. Bursary payment should be re-introduced in all higher educational institutions.
Education is the bedrock of any society therefore women education cannot end in the kitchen.

Princess Npapa
Princess Npapa is a student of Pan Africa Institute of Management and Technology.

 

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Celebrating Woman As An Icon Of Strength

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A woman is a dynamic multifaceted individual who embodies resilience, courage and determination.
She is a game changer and a force to be reckon with, a confidant empowered, supportive, adaptable and inspirational.
Many had asked why women are being celebrated even as recorded in calendar so frequently unlike men and I said, a woman being multifaceted and embodies resilience and determination is worth being celebrated unlike in the 80s when women were meant to understand that their place was in the kitchen of their husbands’ houses.
What an amazing level of development where women can choose a career and work on themselves and know that there is more to life than being in the kitchen and ending up in a man’s house with nothing to show for it.
Women are the strongest versions of the gender of humans in the world even in their silence, women hold a depth of emotions, questions and unspoken thoughts. Their smiles often conceal their true feelings, masking their fears, doubts and desires.
Despite these challenges, women continue to rise above, shattering glass ceilings and pushing boundaries.
Today innovative, women are enterprenuers, leaders, and change agents. Inspiring women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie and many others have paved the way for future generation, their achievements serve as testaments to women’s strength, resilience and capabilities.
The calendar tell us how unique the woman is and her significance in the home and society at large. As a woman, she holds power and I celebrate every woman out there in the world irrespective of how you may have fallen, you shall rise above the challenges, support one another and celebrate collective strength and resilience.
Woman as an icon of strength is not just about individual achievements but creating supportive networks, uplifting others and celebrating collective success, defying expectations and redefining what it means to be a strong woman.
The strength and bravery of women are worthy of celebration by the entire world as none is unique as the epitome of nation builders, character molders and pacesetters not just in their family but to the society at large.
A woman is a selfless mother, lover and care giver to her family, a daughter who supports her parents, as a sister’s unshakeable bond with her siblings and a friends unconditional empathy and understanding.
These acts of kindness and love are not most times talked about but hold families and communities together and bonding strong women are powerful beings who have impacted the society, shaping the foundation of the world from the 80s to date, I personally want to celebrate all the icons of strength who had fought and are still fighting , that our voices as women are heard even unto the ends of time.
I celebrate you all amazing women for standing strong and paving ways for the future generation for equality, justice and human rights. To the rising child, teenager and adults who happen to be a ‘woman’, I celebrate our collective efforts, our strength in helping one another to rise, irrespective of our differences in our backgrounds.
We are super humans, unique beings, no wonder the Bible acknowledges the importance of our strength. Therefore, let’s celebrate every woman out there.

Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha, is a student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.

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Children And Basics Of Family

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It is the idea of God that family should exit. Children form part of the family. God loves family so much that Jesus was born into the family of Joseph.
Everyone’s family is good and important. Children should not look down on their family whether they are rich or poor.
Children should respect and honour their family and foster love among their siblings. They should work together and make peace in the family. They should always stand in the gap. It is good for family members to carry all along since everyone may not be doing well.
The Christianity that children learn is practised in family. Faith-based organisations do a great job in moulding children’s character. Those are the behaviours that children exhibit towards siblings in family.
Every child born in a family is there for a purpose. A baby born into a family is supplying something. It may be joy, wealth and so on. Everyone is important in a family.
Adolescents who have graduated from school but may not be contributing financially can do one or two things at home. You can engage in preparing meals at home while parents are away for a job or business. Contributing in house chores will go a long way to relieve parents of stress after a day’s job.
What do you contribute to your family, especially during holidays both in nuclear and extended family?
The family you were born is constant but friends are temporary. You can decide not to continue in friendship but you cannot cut off your family. No matter how bad you think your family is and you decide to leave home, you must surely return. Your friends can harbour you for a while.
The child’s first identity comes from the family. What the child learns first comes from the family.
Family is the centre of love and care. People have started playing down on marriage because of neglect on basics of family. Marriage starts today and and the next few months, it is threatened. Respect for family plays a crucial role in marriage.
No child grows without parental control and influence. If a child refuses to grow without taking instructions from parents, he may grow up being wild. There are consequences when children do not obey their parents. There are those who want to be rebellious against their parents. They should know that their length of days are tied to their parents.
Your bioligical parents know you more than every other person. There is the wisdom and knowledge your parents have that you do not so it is proper to listen to them before choosing carriers both in academics and job. A young man or woman can choose who to get married to, but a greater role in the choice of who to marry and the marriage proper comes from the parents.
They know what is best for you. No matter how modern trends will influence you and prove it wrong, parent is the key. No one can love you more than your parents because they are your blood.
A lot of parents have been traumatised due to the fact that children they nurtured and trained turned their back on them at older age. Children should not abandon their parents for any reason.
As you grow up, situations may arise in marriage when you decide it is over with your spouse, but no matter the level of provocation with your parents, they will not despise you. Parents will also play a role in that regard. Problem arises in every family but how it is handled matters a lot.
Some children honour their mentors more than their parents. Although there are parents who shy away from their responsibilities. It is important that parents take full responsibility of their children. You cannot bring a child to the planet earth and refuse to perform roles as a parent. But parents may not quantify what they spent from childhood to adolescence. That is a blessing children cannot get from another person.
There are people who have attributed their failure in life to the fact that their parents, especially mothers are witchcraft. It is wrong to feel that your mother is instrumental to your failure in life. The only way to success is hardwork.
Let money not determine the level of love for your parents. Wherever a child goes, family is constant.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

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