News

Reps Raise Concern Over Foreign Influence and Funding Secrecy at MOWAA, Order Comprehensive Probe

Published

2 weeks ago

November 18, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has initiated a full investigation into the establishment, funding sources, and governance structure of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Edo State, amid rising concerns that the institution may be operating in a manner that grants excessive influence to foreign and private interests.

Thus resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Esosa Iyawe, and six other lawmakers from Edo State— Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, Rep. Peter Akpatason, Rep. Billy Osawaru, Rep. Omosede Igbinedion, Rep. Marcus Onobun, and Rep. Okojie Odianosen on Tuesday at plenary.

Presenting the motion, Rep. Iyawe stressed that MOWAA, envisioned as a major cultural and heritage centre for West Africa, must not evolve into a platform that allows external bodies to exercise control over repatriated Nigerian artefacts, especially those with deep historical significance.

He warned that “credible reports suggest that the ownership and governance framework of MOWAA may have created an arrangement that places excessive influence in the hands of private or foreign interests. This would be contrary to Nigeria’s sovereignty over her cultural patrimony.”

The lawmakers stressed that the Museum was expected to serve as a trusted public institution to house long-looted artefacts being returned to the country.

“The international community agreed to repatriate Benin bronzes to Nigeria with the understanding that these priceless items would be held in a public trust under Nigerian control. Anything short of that raises serious red flags,” he said.

They also expressed worries over what they described as inadequate clarity on the Museum’s legal status and donor agreements. Co-sponsor Rep. Julius Ihonvbere said the House must ensure that the nation’s heritage is not compromised.

“We cannot allow any ambiguity around ownership, land allocation, tax waivers, or foreign partnerships. Nigeria’s cultural assets cannot be traded off under the guise of development support,” Ihonvbere said.

Rep. Omosede Igbinedion added that traditional stakeholders, including the Oba of Benin and local communities, were not fully carried along.

“The custodians of the Benin heritage deserve full transparency and involvement. Their exclusion raises legitimate concerns,” she stated.

Lawmakers further warned that the opacity surrounding the project could open avenues for impropriety.

“When funding sources and governance structures are not clear, it creates room for conflict of interest and potential exploitation of our heritage,” Rep. Marcus Onobun added.

The House unanimously adopted the motion, resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to probe the Museum’s establishment, funding sources, donor involvement, and governance architecture.

The committee is expected to determine the level of government oversight, the nature and extent of donor influence, the legal and financial implications of all agreements, and the safeguards protecting Nigeria’s ownership of its cultural assets.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who presided, said the House would protect Nigeria’s cultural heritage at all costs.

“Our heritage is non-negotiable. This investigation is necessary to ensure transparency and national interest,” he said.

The committee is expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

News

Ekiti PDP Primary: Court adjourns suit against Oluyede’s victory to Dec 8

Published

14 seconds ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has adjourned the case instituted against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Wole Oluyede till December 8, 2025, for further hearing.

Oluyede had emerged winner of the gubernatorial primary election conducted on November 8, 2025, by the Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo-led electoral committee.

Oluyede got 279 votes to defeat Funsho Ayeni and Mrs Funmi Ogun.

In the suit numbered FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, Ayeni is challenging Oluyede’s victory in the primary election

During the hearing on Friday, Kola Kolade, SAN, led other lawyers to represent Ayeni while Ola Olanipekun, SAN, and Barrister Owoseni Ajayi represented Oluyede.

The Osun State Legal Adviser of the party, Barrister Ola Alonge held brief for the PDP.

After listening to submissions by the parties, Justice Babs Ikuewumi declared that he would ensure speedy hearing of the case.

The judge adjourned the matter to December 8, 2025 for further hearing.

News

PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.

The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.

The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.

The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.

The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.

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News

“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.

According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.

Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.

“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).

Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.

The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.

At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.