Entertainment

UK urged to return sacred treasures hidden away for 150 years to Ethiopia

They are hidden religious treasures that have been in the British Museum’s stores for more than 150 years, never on public display – with members of the public strictly forbidden from seeing them.

Now hopes have been raised that Ethiopian tabots, looted by the British after the battle of Maqdala in 1868, could finally be returned home following a new legal opinion and an appeal backed by Stephen Fry, the author Lemn Sissay and the former archbishop of Canterbury George Carey.

The wood and stone tabots are altar tablets, considered by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as the dwelling place of God on Earth and the representation of the Ark of the Covenant. They have, everyone agrees, huge spiritual and religious value for the people of Ethiopia.

A letter has been sent to British Museum trustees signed by supporters including Fry, Sissay, the actor Rupert Everett and the former British ambassador to Ethiopia Sir Harold Walker. It says the museum has acknowledged the sanctity of the tabots and has never put them on display, allowed them to be studied, copied or photographed. “Instead, they sit in the vaults, where they remain over 150 years later, unknown to the vast majority of people of this country.”

It continues: “We believe that today the British Museum has a unique opportunity to build a lasting and meaningful bridge of friendship between Britain and Ethiopia by handing the tabots back to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.”

A number of attempts have been made by Ethiopia to get the tabots returned but the museum argues it is forbidden by the British Museum Act of 1963 to restitute objects in its collection.

Campaigners sought a new legal opinion that proves, they say, that the tabots can be legally returned.

The opinion, seen by the Guardian, has been drawn up Samantha Knights QC and was commissioned by the Scheherazade Foundation. It points out that the 1963 act has a provision that allows disposal of objects “unfit to be retained” and that can be disposed “without detriment to the interests of students”.

It argues the tabots fall within this category, that they have “no apparent use or relevance to the museum”.

The website has no image of them and only the briefest of descriptions. “As such they are currently and apparently always have been in effect treated very differently to the rest of the collection and could be properly said to be ‘unfit to be retained’.”

On the question of detriment to students, no student is permitted to study them, the document says.

Eleven tabots are in the museum collection; nine can be directly linked to British looting after the Battle of Maqdala in 1868, an event that came about after the Emperor Tewodros II had taken British hostages. More than 500 Ethiopian soldiers were killed and the emperor killed himself rather than be taken prisoner.

Hundreds of objects were subsequently plundered. They are in a number of collections. The V&A, which has Maqdala treasures including a gold crown and a royal wedding dress, has floated the idea of a long-term loan.

The British Museum said in a statement: “These documents need to be reviewed and addressed with full consideration, and more time is required before this can be looked at by trustees.”

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.