Netherlands to hand over 119 looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria on June 21

The Netherlands will return 119 looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria this month, marking one of the most significant repatriations of cultural artefacts to the country.

The Dutch embassy in Nigeria confirmed on Thursday, June 5, that the artefacts will arrive during the week of June 16. A formal handover ceremony is scheduled for June 21 at the National Museum in Lagos.

Following the ceremony, the bronzes will be transferred to the National Museum in Benin City, Edo State—their place of origin. This return is believed to be the single largest consignment of Benin bronzes handed back to Nigeria by any country to date.

The bronzes were among thousands of sacred and ceremonial objects looted by British forces during the 1897 punitive expedition against the Benin Kingdom. Many of the items ended up in European and North American museums and private collections.

In a previous statement made in February, the Dutch embassy acknowledged that the artefacts should never have been taken to the Netherlands. Bengt van Loosdrech, the ambassador-designate to Nigeria, noted that the country had been demanding the return of the bronzes for over five decades.

The return of the bronzes is part of a broader global reckoning with colonial-era looting, as nations and institutions face growing calls to return stolen cultural heritage to their rightful owners.

Davido mocks Hon. Timothy Owoeye after he said APC ticket "is not for sale to the Adelekes" following the family's visit to Tinubu

Davido has risen in his family's defence after APC party chieftain, Hon. Timothy Owoeye stated that the APC ticket is not for sale to the Adeleke family. 
 

Recall that Davido, his father Dr. Adedeji Adeleke and his uncle Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier this week. 

Following the visit, Hon. Owoeye made it clear that the Adelekes are not welcome to the ruling party, APC. 
 

After the video of Owoeye's speech went viral, Davido mocked him, writing: "No be this guy naked for bush?" 
 

His cousin Bred responded with laughing emoji. 
 

The speech by Owoeye that Davido was reacting to was made during a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, June 4. 

Timothy Owoeye, the immediate past Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, maintained that the governorship ticket of the APC is not for sale to the Adeleke family. 

Owoeye said, “APC ticket is not for sale for the Adeleke family categorically. 

“As a matter of fact, as of today, we don’t see Governor Ademola Adeleke as part of the APC.” 
 

While insisting that the APC is the party to beat in the state, Owoeye hinted that the “fear of the unknown”hunting Governor Adeleke is the reason for his intention of coming over to the APC. 

He said, “The APC in Osun State remains the party to beat I want to tell you that if not because of the fear of unknown disturbing the Adeleke’s and PDP, they won’t show the intention of coming to the APC. 

“APC is fully on ground in Osun. If not for brigandage after the 2022 governorship and 2023 general elections, PDP will not have their way in Osun State.” 

“The tenure of PDP is already terminated in Osun State. Come August 8, 2026, we will chase them away. There is no space for PDP and Adeleke in the APC.” 

Football legend, Jay-Jay Okocha advises Victor Osimhen on summer move after successful loan spell with Galatasaray

Nigerian football legend, Jay-Jay Okocha, has offered some words of advice to Victor Osimhen over the forward’s next move following his successful loan spell with Galatasaray.

Speaking to Turkish broadcaster TRT Spor via Haberler, the former Fenerbahçe playmaker urged Osimhen to continue plying his trade in Turkey by staying with Galatasaray, even if it means making personal sacrifices.

“Turkey is a great place to play and live football,” Okocha said.

 

“Sometimes, you may need to make sacrifices when making decisions in football. Osimhen had a great season at Galatasaray. Ultimately, he is happy there. Why shouldn’t he stay with the team? I love Turkey. He loves it too.”

 

Asked whether he had any inside knowledge on Osimhen’s next destination, Okocha said: “I don’t know,” he replied.

 

“Wherever he decides to go, I wish him the best.”

 

Okocha, who played for Fenerbahçe between 1996 and 1998, also reflected on his own time in Turkey, calling it “a wonderful two years” and fondly remembering the fans and local cuisine. He concluded his remarks with a nod to his old club, telling fans, “The greatest is Fener.”

 

Osimhen, who recently concluded his loan spell from Napoli, scored his 37th goal of the season in Galatasaray’s 2–0 win over İstanbul Başakşehir on Saturday, ending a sensational campaign with the Turkish Cup and Turkish Super Lig.

 

He also won Player of the Season and Süper Lig top scorer gong.