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Nigeria, US sign MoU on Cultural Heritage Preservation
Nigeria, US sign MoU on Cultural Heritage Preservation
By: Michael Mike
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cultural heritage preservation project in Adamawa State has been signed by the Nigerian and United States governments.
This is as the US government on Thursday said it has successfully repatriated a total of 63 Benin Bronzes since 2022.
The MoU project involves the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa and International Council on Monuments and Sites-Nigeria and the United States of America under the implementation of Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation grant.
The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, has provided $1.5 million for 14 projects across 21 states of Nigeria since 2001.
Only recently, in 2020, the embassy awarded the U.S. non-profit organisation CyArk a $125,000 grant to digitally survey and document the Busanyin Shrine within the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove.
The latest project is aimed to document, conserve and improve the cultural heritage of the Sukur UNESCO World Heritage Site in Adamawa State.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony in Abuja, Ambassador David Greene said “We are so proud that, with our Nigerian partners, we have been able to preserve culturally significant art, sites, and other heritage items.”
The US Charge D’Affairs also added that: “Our latest AFCP grant will support ICOMOS-Nigeria and its local partners to help preserve Sukur cultural heritage through infrastructure enhancements, revival of threatened traditional crafts, and documentation and preservation of the Sakun language.
“This will require a collaborative effort amongst each of your organizations, so I am proud and pleased to witness your signing today of the Memorandum of Understanding covering the planned project.
“We truly appreciate your unwavering dedication to conserve, protect, and preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage. My government and I eagerly anticipate building upon this partnership in the years to come, and I can tell you that I personally hope to have an opportunity to visit the Sukur site. “
Building on twenty years of AFCP grants, the ambassador said “In 2021, the United States and Nigeria signed the bilateral Cultural Property Agreement. With that, we intensified joint efforts to identify, intercept, and repatriate looted, or other displaced cultural property and related heritage works.
“These efforts paved the way for the official transfer in October 2022 of twenty-two Benin Bronzes back to Nigeria. I am pleased to report that since 2022, the number has grown, and now a total of sixty-three Benin Bronzes have been successfully repatriated to Nigeria.”
Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa in her remarks said, “The project aims at undertaking a 2-year conservation and preservation work in the Sukur Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is regarded as a place of Outstanding Universal Values. The work also involves the conservation of the tangible and intangible heritage of Sukur Cultural Landscape, enhancing community capacity, strengthening local, national and international links and networks for conserving the site’s Outstanding Universal Values and buttressing the resilience of the Sukur community in the face of insurgency and climate change.
Nigeria, US sign MoU on Cultural Heritage Preservation
Bandits kill hunters’ leader in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected bandits have killed the leader of hunters in Tine Nune community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue.
Zagazola learnt that the incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, happened while the victim, identified as Hilenen Terzungwe, was on patrol with five others along Biriji village.
Terzungwe sustained severe machete cuts during the attack and was rushed to a medical facility in Tine Nune, where he later died while receiving treatment.
His remains have since been deposited at the General Hospital, Zaki-Biam.
Security has been strengthened in the area to forestall further attacks, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
End
Security forces move to avert reprisal after killing of herdsman in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have intensified patrols and peace-building efforts in Anyiatse village, Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue, following the killing of a Fulani herdsman by suspected youths of the community.
Zagazola learnt that the incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, has heightened fears of a reprisal attack by Fulani groups in the area.
Sources said the herdsman was attacked and killed in the bush, sparking tension among residents and neighbouring communities.
In response, security personnel were deployed to the area to forestall further violence, while traditional rulers and stakeholders have been engaged in dialogue to restore calm.
The measures, according to local authorities, are aimed at preventing a breakdown of law and order as investigations into the killing continue
End.
Gunmen kill five, burn houses in Mangu LGA, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias have killed five persons and burnt 10 houses in Tim village, Chakfem District of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack, which occurred on Tuesday at about 4 p.m., saw the assailants storm the community, shooting sporadically before setting thatched houses ablaze.
Local sources said the victims’ corpses had been evacuated for burial, while the injured were receiving treatment in nearby health facilities.
Community members disclosed that the assault might have been carried out in retaliation for cattle allegedly rustled in the area.
Troops of the Special Task Force (STF) were deployed to the scene and engaged the attackers in a firefight, forcing them to flee, with some believed to have sustained bullet wounds.
Residents said calm had returned to the area on Wednesday, though the village remains tense as investigations continue and efforts are being made to apprehend those behind the attack.
End
Bandits kill hunters’ leader in Benue
Security forces move to avert reprisal after killing of herdsman in Benue
Gunmen kill five, burn houses in Mangu LGA, Plateau
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