Entertainment

‘Astounding’ Roman statues unearthed at Norman church ruins on route of HS2

Statues of a Roman man, woman and child have been uncovered by archaeologists at an abandoned medieval church on the route of the HS2 high-speed railway.

The discovery was “utterly astounding”, according to Rachel Wood, the lead archaeologist at the site in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire. “They’re really rare finds in the UK,” she said.

“The statues are exceptionally well preserved, and you really get an impression of the people they depict – literally looking into the faces of the past is a unique experience.”

A hexagonal glass Roman jug was also uncovered. Despite being in the ground for what is thought to be more than 1,000 years, large pieces were intact. The only known comparable item is a vessel on display in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The statues were unearthed at the ruins of a Norman church, where a team of archaeologists has been working for the past six months.

Saint Mary’s church was built in 1080, and renovated in the 13th, 14th and 17th centuries. It was abandoned in 1880, and demolished in 1966 after being declared dangerous. Its ruins became overgrown with vegetation.

In May, archaeologists and engineers began removing the remaining structure of the church and excavating the burial ground that was in use for 900 years, with the last recorded interment in 1908.

Experts believe the location was used as a Roman mausoleum before the Norman church was built. About 3,000 bodies have been removed and will be reburied at a new site.

Wood said the discovery of the statues and jug “leads us to wonder what else might be buried beneath England’s medieval village churches. This has truly been a once in a lifetime site and we are all looking forward to hearing what more the specialists can tell us about these incredible statues and the history of the site before the construction of the Norman church.”

They have been sent to a laboratory for specialist cleaning and analysis.

More than 1,000 archaeologists have worked at more than 60 sites along the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands over the past three years.

At Saint James’s Garden near Euston station in central London, more than 50,000 skeletons were exhumed from a burial ground. In Birmingham, more than 6,500 skeletons were uncovered from an 18th-century cemetery.

Archaeologists began work on the 150-mile route in 2018.

Mike Court, the lead archaeologist at HS2, said the Roman statues found at Stoke Mandeville were “just some of the incredible artefacts uncovered between London and the West Midlands”.

He added: “HS2’s unprecedented archaeology programme has given us new insights into Britain’s history, providing evidence of where and how our ancestors lived.”

Entertainment

Singer, Rema donates N105m to Christ embassy

Nigerian international musical celebrity, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has donated the sum of N105 million to Christ Embassy Church, Benin City, Edo State.

The Edo-born musician was in the state for the celebration of Edo@33 and performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the 6,000-capacity Edo Dome and a musical concert at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium at the invitation of the state government.

Rema, who donated to the Edo Regional Headquarters of the church, located at Erediauwa Street off Ekenwa Road, said it was in appreciation of the church’s support for his family during a difficult period in his childhood.

The international musical artist, who was at the church for a thanksgiving service, recounted the role the church played in his family’s life after the loss of his father when he was just eight years old.

According to him: “I am not here to give myself any form of accolades or glory but to give to God the glory.

“And, I felt it was important to give back to the church that has embraced me, prayed for me and kept me very consistent with my spirit.

“When I was eight years old when I lost my dad, we felt very lost and abandoned.

“All that we had were taken from us and we felt alone, and I remember at the time Pastor Joy and Pastor Thomas, the pastors of this church; they opened a shop for my mum, and that was what she managed to take care of and feed us.”

He said, in the spirit of giving in appreciation of what the church did for his family, he donated the sum of N150 million to the church.

“Firstly, I want to give a pledge of N40 million to the infrastructural development of the church, N20 million to the Rhapsody of Realities publication, and, being a fact that I came from the teen church, I also like to pledge N25 million to the church.

“And just to add to that, if there is any widow in church today, I am pledging N20 million to assist all the widows in attendance,” he added.

Entertainment

Bbnaija 1 runner up, Francisca Owumi is dead

Former Big Brother Naija reality show star, Francisca Owumi, is dead

The reality star passed away following a brief illness.

Francisca Owumi, the runner up of the first edition of BBNaija television show in 2006, died on August 29, 2024.

Announcing her death on social media, her family wrote; “A daughter and sister. Make her soul rest in peace, Amen.”

The late Francisca, known for her fierce dancing moves, was present in the house with the winner of the show Katung Aduwak, Gideon Okeke, Ebuka Obi Uchendu, Maureen Osuji, and others.

After the show, she briefly entered the Nigerian music scene with the singles “Diva” and “Gbadun You.”

Entertainment

Actor Adeniyi Johnson reacts as AFRIMEK suspends him

The African Men Entertainment Kings, AFRIMEK club has suspended actor Adeniyi Johnson

AFRIMEK, led by actor Femi Adebayo suspended Adeniyi over gross misconduct and breach of its constitution.

Reacting to the development, Adeniyi noted that he was existing before joining the club.

Expressing his disappointment in a lengthy post on social media, the actor urged his fans to stay calm as he handles the matter.

“It saddens my heart that my honourable club made such a derogatory post about me. Please note that I’m not bigger than the club, but before the club there has been Adeniyi Johnson. If care is not taken, that post will do more harm than good.

“I feel this is detrimental to my name, family, standard, and even more importantly, my brand. I hereby implore my family, friends, and fans to stay calm and continue to show unwavering love and support.

“To all associates, I remain my humble self and thank you for the continuous belief and trust. God pass us all.”

AFRIMEK is a club recognized for its prominent members in the entertainment field.

The club’s notable members, include Femi Adebayo, Muyiwa Ademola, Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Chatta and Jamiu Azeez Olamilekan.