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National Trust warns of threat from ‘ideological campaign’ waged against it

National Trust

National Trust warns of threat from ‘ideological campaign’ waged against it

The National Trust has warned of the damage it faces from what it calls an ideological campaign waged against it by self-styled “anti-woke” insurgents whom the charity has accused of seeking to stoke divisions.

It was prompted to speak out as members raised concerns about a range of “extreme” positions taken by individuals involved in a group called Restore Trust, which is backing a slate of candidates in elections for the NT’s governing council.

The group, which has been heavily promoted in the pages of the rightwing press after its foundation and has spoken of building up a “fighting fund” of tens of thousands of pounds, is also now using paid-for social media adverts to try to influence the election.

The trust – one of Britain’s biggest land owners – also fears for its carbon neutral policies in the face of the challenge by the Restore Trust (RT), which it says is waging a culture war on a number of fronts.

RT’s directors include a financier who has backed a leading climate-sceptic lobby group and currently chairs another.

Members of the charity have also expressed particular concern about RT’s endorsement of Stephen Green, the leader of a Christian fundamentalist lobby group, for one of six vacant positions on the trust’s governing council.

Green, who accuses the NT leadership of being “obsessed with LGBT issues”, has lobbied against the criminalisation of marital rape and defended overseas laws proposing the execution of some gay people.

“Our founders set out to protect and promote places of historic interest and natural beauty for the benefit of the nation. That means we are for everyone. Whether you’re black or white, straight or gay, right or leftwing,” an NT spokesperson told the Guardian.

“We have always debated openly and freely to overcome differences of opinion, and paid-for campaigns that back candidates with ideologies opposed to our values are new and would be concerning for any charity.”

They also addressed one of the original flashpoints for why RT said it had been set up – the notion that there was widespread anger among members about a report the charity published last year showing connections between 93 of its historic places and colonialism and slavery.

Properties include Winston Churchill’s country estate Chartwell, because of his political roles and opposition to self-governance in India, and Lundy in Devon, where convicts were forced into unpaid labour.

“It’s right that we are open to public scrutiny. Our national institutions need healthy and respectful debate if they’re going to thrive and be handed on to serve future generations, as they have served so many in the past and present. They must not be used as a punchbag, to divide people, or led by extreme views.”

RT’s directors include Neil Bennett, the chief executive of RT2021, a company handling what he said was “the significant and growing amount of donations that have been provided to Restore Trust”.

“I agreed to take the role since I, like others, believe the National Trust’s management has lost its way and is failing in its duty to protect Britain’s heritage and present it properly,” he said, adding that he was concerned that the NT was undemocratic and prevented members from having a proper say in its affairs.

Supported by Sir John Hayes, the chair of the Common Sense Group of Tory MPs – which has sought to push the government in a more hardline direction on a range of “culture war” issues – RT has used hashtags such as #empirestrikesback and presents itself as a grassroots movement of more than 6,100 current and former NT members.

There are more than 5.5 million members overall, though only 0.5% typically vote at AGMs. The National Trust will hold this year’s AGM on 30 October.

As well as Bennett, RT’s “Meet the Team” page lists Neil Record, a City currency manager and past Tory donor who has given money to a climate denier lobby group the Global Warming Policy Foundation. He is chair of Net Zero Watch, a new campaign group which was launched this month and which seeks to “highlight the serious economic and societal implications of expensive and poorly considered climate and energy policies”.

By contrast, the National Trust has a range of policies designed to reduce carbon emissions and has been putting pressure on the government by supporting the Climate Coalition, a group of 100 organisations asking members to sign a petition demanding immediate government action.

Record told the Guardian that he had joined RT out of concern with the direction of the National Trust, as a lifelong member.

On climate change, he said that he became concerned a decade ago about what he described as “the shrill and intolerant quality of the debate” and that legitimate questions in respect of climate science were not being addressed.

“Instead, a new orthodoxy began to make any debate impermissible. I regard this an a very dangerous route for a democracy to take,” he said.

Green said he had no connection with Restore Trust but was grateful for their support. He referred to his statement to NT voters, in which he referenced the backlash among some members against a film by the National Trust which revealed that Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer, who bequeathed Felbrigg Hall to the nation, was gay. Green said he was committed to ensuring “that future donors feel safe from the Trust poring over their past and inventing salacious details of an imagined private life”.

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Teenager arraigned for assaulting Corps member, disrupting school activities in Ondo

A teenager, Adesogo Promise, has been arraigned before an Iwaro Oka Magistrate Court for allegedly assaulting a corps member, Akomolafe Dickson, and disrupting academic activities at St. Patrick’s College, Iwaro-Oka in Ondo State.

The prosecution, led by Inspector Kehinde Emmanuel, informed the court that the defendant physically attacked Akomolafe, landing blows on him.

Furthermore, the defendant was accused of obstructing the lawful duty of a police officer, Constable Afolabi Samuel, who was executing an arrest on behalf of the Nigeria Police Divisional Headquarters, Iwaro Oka Akoko. Nigerian home decor ideas

The accused, who was unrepresented by legal counsel, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Presiding over the case, Magistrate B. I. Ikusika ordered the remand of the defendant and adjourned proceedings till April 16, 2025.

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Minister of Livestock Development calls for creation of livestock colleges

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has advocated for the establishment of specialised colleges for livestock development.

The minister also tasked the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) to intensify research and innovation efforts towards that direction.

The Minister said this when the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Professor Garba Sharubutu, led a delegation to his office.

Maiha stressed the need for dedicated livestock colleges, questioning whether the current agricultural colleges in the country are sufficient for Nigeria’s growing population.

“Are our agricultural colleges sufficient for our population? We must encourage the establishment of dedicated colleges for livestock and animal husbandry,” he stated.

Referencing the transformation agenda for the livestock sector, the Minister pointed out the need for intensive research, breed improvement, disease management, and sustainable feeding practices.

“We want to see more focused research on livestock. We must believe in the sector’s ability to drive impactful change. Our priorities include feed and fodder development, disease and health management, traceability, and genetic improvements across species,” he added.

Maiha also underscored the urgent need for high-level intellectual manpower to meet the sector’s increasing expectations, given the strong capital investments being made.

He revealed that Nigeria has about 417 grazing reserves, which will be converted into communal ranches to reduce unrestricted cattle movement and improve livestock management.

“We are talking of massive regrassing of the countryside and we are not going to rely on the importation of grass varieties. You must give us indigenous grasses that are nutritious enough, that are hardy, tolerant, and drought resistant. This is what we are looking for. If we have ARCN, you must talk to the market.

“It’s not sufficient enough, you get your degree, you are a professor, and you stay in that condition with a swivel chair. Patents. We want patents. We are restructuring the livestock sector to create jobs, generate wealth, and enhance food security. We have many investors coming in, and ARCN must play a central role in this transformation,” he said.

Maiha stated that while agricultural crop research has advanced significantly, livestock research and education must catch up.

He said, “If you look at our colleges of agriculture, most only have one or two departments focused on livestock. We must ensure they are adequately equipped to serve the sector.”

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FG refutes US claim of targeted killings of Christians

FG charges Lagos dredgers, miners on land degradation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of Ambassador Yusuf M. Tuggar, has refuted claims of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, describing these allegations as misleading and aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

In a press statement issued on Friday, March 14, and signed by the acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the ministry stated,

“While the Federal Government acknowledges the security challenges in the country, these incidents are not religiously motivated or targeted at any particular faith group.”

The ministry further emphasized that insurgency and banditry, particularly in the predominantly Muslim northern region of Nigeria, are not directed at any specific religious community.

The statement comes amid ongoing reports from the US Congress, which have expressed concerns about religious freedom in Nigeria, leading to the country’s previous designation as a CPC. However, the Nigerian government has consistently rejected these claims, asserting that the security challenges are multifaceted and not rooted in religious persecution.Nigerian home decor ideas

“Nigeria is a multiethnic and multireligious nation with a long history of peaceful coexistence between people of different faiths,” the ministry reiterated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding all citizens, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender.

The statement clarified that the ongoing security challenges in the country stem from criminality, terrorism, and communal clashes—particularly those between farmers and herders. These issues have been worsened by factors such as climate change, population growth, and competition over land resources, but do not amount to systematic religious persecution.

The ministry outlined the steps taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to address the country’s security concerns, which include deploying security forces to conflict-prone areas, enhancing intelligence gathering, and fostering cooperation between various security agencies.

Additionally, the government highlighted community engagement initiatives designed to foster peace and reconciliation across Nigeria.Nigerian home decor ideas

“While noting the progress made in curbing banditry and insurgency, recent military operations have significantly weakened criminal groups,” the statement stated. It also highlighted the government’s approach of combining kinetic and non-kinetic measures—military action alongside dialogue and economic reforms—to address the root causes of insecurity.

The Nigerian government is also focusing on long-term efforts to resolve conflicts related to land use. In this regard, it has established a Ministry of Livestock Development and appointed a Special Adviser and Coordinator on Livestock Reforms to oversee sustainable solutions for pastoral farming, a move aimed at reducing land disputes between farmers and herders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to verify information before making statements that could escalate tensions within Nigeria.

” It also called on the media, civil society organizations, and foreign partners to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine the country’s unity and stability.

“Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa and is committed to preserving this heritage,” the statement concluded.

The ministry reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to freedom of religion and interfaith harmony, stressing that while the government welcomes constructive dialogue and international support in addressing security challenges, it rejects any attempts to misrepresent the situation, distort narratives, or sow division among Nigerians.

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