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Nigeria, US sign MoU on Cultural Heritage Preservation

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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

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Police repel bandits attack, rescue six victims in Katsina

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Police repel bandits attack, rescue six victims in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Katsina, in collaboration with the military and local vigilantes, has repelled a bandits’ attack in Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 1:20 a.m., when bandits stormed Lamuntani village in Goran Dansaka ward but were engaged in a gun battle by security operatives, forcing them to flee into the bush.

According to sources , six kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt. They include Aisha Rilwanu, 12; Zainab Mansir, 15; Munnir Sani, 19; Salamatu Umar, 19; Asmau Sani, 10; and Jamila Nasiru, 21.

The sources added that while escaping, the bandits attacked nearby Santan Kargo village, where they shot and injured three persons Yusuf Yushau, 30; Ismail Abubakar, 21; and Abdulmumin Sani,who were rushed to Malumfashi General Hospital for treatment.

The sources said two victims were still missing as security forces intensified search-and-rescue operations in the area.

Police repel bandits attack, rescue six victims in Katsina

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Army recovers 164 rustled livestock in Zamfara, Sokoto

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Army recovers 164 rustled livestock in Zamfara, Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA (OPFY) have recovered 164 rustled animals during clearance operations in Zamfara and Sokoto States.

Sources disclosed this on Thursday, saying the recoveries followed ambushes against terrorists moving livestock across communities.

The sources told Zagazola the troops, working with vigilantes, engaged terrorists attempting to move rustled animals from Talata Mafara LGA to Anka axis of Zamfara, recovering 21 sheep.

“Similarly, troops of 8 Division in conjunction with Keystone forces repelled terrorists who attacked Garbe Kanni village in Tureta LGA, Sokoto. A total of 143 sheep were recovered and a terrorist camp destroyed,” the sources said.

The animals have since been handed over to the chairmen of Bakura and Tureta LGAs for onward return to their rightful owners.

Army recovers 164 rustled livestock in Zamfara, Sokoto

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Troops arrest notorious cattle rustlers, recover arms in Plateau

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Troops arrest notorious cattle rustlers, recover arms in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two notorious cattle rustlers and recovered arms and ammunition in Plateau State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama on Thursday in Jos that the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of cattle rustlers in Kogul village, Mangu Local Government Area.

According to the sources, the troops raided the hideout of the suspects on Sept. 11 and arrested two of them. Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, one fabricated revolver rifle, 10 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one mobile phone and cash.

“The arrested suspects and recovered items are in the custody of the troops for investigation. Follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate,” the sources said.

They added that the arrest was significant in curbing the menace of cattle rustling, which has often triggered crisis in Plateau and adjoining states.

Troops arrest notorious cattle rustlers, recover arms in Plateau

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