From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
A social cultural group, Edo National Voice (ENV), has called on President Bola Tinubu to sack the Director General, National Museum, Abba Isa Tijanni for allegedly impeding the actualisation of the return of the Benin artefacts to their place of original abode.
This was contained in a statement signed by the president of the group, Iyamu Osaro Culture and its Secretary General, Collins Osaghae Amadin respectively and made available to newsmen in Benin.
The duo said when DG Tijanni is exited from his office, he should tell Nigerians his role in the return of the repatriated looted Benin artefacts.
“We humbly wish to appeal to you to immediately sack the Director General of the National Museum, Mr Abba Isa Tijanni for being an impediment to the actualisation of the return of Benin artefacts to the great Oba of Benin Kingdom as gazetted by the Federal Government on March 28th 2023.
“Mr President Sir, the moment you sack the DG of the National Museum, Abba Isa Tijanni, he should provide some answers pertaining to the role he played in the delay of our stolen artefacts,” they said.
The group further urges the president to make good his promise of fast-tracking the building of the Benin Royal Museum.
“Mr President, Sir, you could recall that prior to the general elections, you visited Edo state and our revered palace wherein you promised to use your lofty office if elected as the president of the federal republic of Nigeria to construct the Benin Royal Museum.
“Mr President Sir, we are delighted that your wish has come to stay and it is on this premise we wish to remind you to help fast-track the construction of the “Benin Royal Museum” and speedy repatriation of our stolen artefacts with its volume of proceeds across the globe as promised by your esteemed self”, they added.
The ENV, while congratulating Tinubu as president of Nigeria, urges him to always put the interest of the common Nigerians into consideration before implementing policies, programmes and projects for the citizens.
They said that in order to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, they wish to appeal to him to immediately provide palliatives to all Nigerians.