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France Returns Human Skulls to Madagascar, 128 Years After Colonial Massacre

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

France has returned three human skulls to Madagascar, more than 128 years after they were looted during the colonial era. The skulls, which had been held in a Paris museum, were formally handed over at a ceremony at the French Ministry of Culture on Tuesday. One of the skulls is believed to belong to King Toera of Madagascar, who was decapitated by French colonial forces during a massacre in 1897. The other two skulls are from the Sakalava ethnic group, a prominent group on the island. The remains were originally taken as trophies following the violent suppression of local resistance to French colonial rule. King Toera’s skull, along with those of others, was later placed in the French national collections, a stark reminder of the brutality of the colonial period. “These skulls entered the national collections in circumstances that clearly violated human dignity and were a product of colonial violence,” said French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati at the ceremony. The return of these remains marks a significant moment in the ongoing movement for the restitution of cultural artifacts looted during colonial times. French authorities have increasingly engaged in the process of returning such items to their countries of origin. At the ceremony, Volamiranty Donna Mara, Madagascar’s Minister of Culture, expressed gratitude for the return, describing the taking of the skulls as “an open wound” that has remained for 128 years. “They are not collectors’ items,” Mara said. “They are the invisible and indelible link that unites our present to our past.” The skulls were delivered in boxes draped in traditional cloth, and the somber ceremony was marked by a solemn procession through the ornate French ministry. A joint scientific committee has confirmed that the skulls originate from the Sakalava people. While it could not definitively identify one as belonging to King Toera, the historical context and evidence strongly suggest it is his. The ceremony serves as a powerful symbol of reconciliation and an acknowledgment of the painful legacy of colonialism, with continued calls for the return of more cultural treasures to their rightful homes.

PSG Defender Achraf Hakimi Faces Preliminary Rape Charges in France

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: August 1, 2025 Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco international defender Achraf Hakimi has been handed preliminary charges of rape by French authorities, following allegations made by a 23-year-old woman. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed on Friday that an investigation was opened after the woman approached police with her accusation. Although she declined to formally press charges, the seriousness of her account prompted prosecutors to launch an inquiry. Hakimi, 24, was questioned by investigators on Thursday before being indicted by an examining magistrate and placed under judicial supervision, a status that allows for continued investigation under French law. He is currently barred from contact with the alleged victim but is not restricted from leaving France, according to prosecutors. Under France’s legal system, preliminary charges indicate sufficient grounds to suspect a crime may have occurred, but further evidence is required before any trial can proceed. Hakimi has denied all allegations, and his lawyer, Fanny Colin, released a statement suggesting that the player is the victim of an attempted “racketeering” scheme. “The alleged victim refused to press charges, refused medical or psychological examination, and refused to confront Mr. Hakimi directly. The accusations are solely based on her account,” Colin said. “Being charged gives Mr. Hakimi the opportunity to access the full case file and defend himself fully,” she added. Paris Saint-Germain and the player have yet to issue official public statements, though sources told ESPN that Hakimi will be available for PSG’s Ligue 1 clash against Nantes on Saturday, despite recovering from a recent leg injury. The development comes just days before PSG’s crucial Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Bayern Munich and shortly after Hakimi was named in the 2022 FIFPRO World XI during the FIFA Best awards held in Paris. Hakimi joined PSG in 2021, playing a key role in the club’s Ligue 1 title win and Morocco’s historic run to the World Cup semifinals in Qatar.

Tinubu Returns From France Today – Presidency

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria today from his work visit to France, the Presidency has said. The President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Monday. Tinubu left Nigeria on April 2, 2025, for Paris, France, on a short work visit. According to the Presidency, Tinubu used the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary. The President’s latest trip had been faulted by major opposition leaders who criticised him for being away despite the rising insecurity in the country, especially in Benue and Plateau states, where scores of residents have been killed in attacks on several communities. A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, had asked President Bola Tinubu to end his trip to France and address the spate of insecurity in Nigeria. Atiku questioned Tinubu’s continued stay in the European country despite the spate of killings across Nigeria. “While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks,” his spokesman, Paul Ibe, said in a statement on April 17. Similarly, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, urged Tinubu to suspend his France trip and urgently return to Nigeria to address the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Plateau and Benue states. He also said the primary duty of any government is securing the lives and property of its citizens, and one wondered why the type of retreat was going on in another country where peace had been secured by their leaders, “while blood continues to flow in our country”. “I am compelled at this time in our lives as a nation to call on our retreating President’s attention to the security challenges at home, which entail that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to address the overwhelming security situation across the country.” “In the two weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in Plateau and Zamfara states. “I therefore urge Mr President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues. That is the new Nigeria the nation seeks,” he said. But the Presidency noted that the Tinubu had maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.

Tinubu Embarks on Working Visit to Paris

Fola Badmus6 months ago5 months ago01 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart for Paris, France, today on a short working visit. During the visit, the President will appraise his administration’s midterm performance and assess key milestones. He will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary. This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year. Recent economic strides reinforce the President’s commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion—a testament to the administration’s fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion. While away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities. He will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight.

President Tinubu departs for France

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for Paris, France, on a private visit en route to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. In Addis Ababa, President Tinubu, according to Bayo Onanuga, will join African leaders at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State, scheduled from February 12th to 16th, 2025. The president will arrive in Addis Ababa early next week for the African Union summit. While in France, President Tinubu will meet with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron.

French coach Deschamps to step down after 2026 World Cup

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

France’s 2018 World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday he will leave his post after the 2026 World Cup in North America. “I have been there since 2012, it is planned that I will be there until 2026,” Deschamps told French broadcaster TF1 on Wednesday. “I have done my time, with the same desire, the same passion to keep the France team at the highest level, but 2026 is good,” he added. Deschamps led the French team ‘Les Bleus’ to the 2018 World Cup title, becoming only the third man to win the football tournament as a player and a manager. He took over from Laurent Blanc in 2012 and has taken France to three major finals in total, losing the Euro 2016 final to Portugal and the 2022 World Cup showpiece to Argentina. Deschamps was captain when Les Bleus won their first World Cup on home soil in 1998. The 56-year-old has already set the record for longest-serving official France coach. European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, gets under way later this year. Zinedine Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup as a player alongside Deschamps, has long been tipped as the favourite to eventually replace him in the dugout. Now 52, Zidane has been lying in wait since ending his second spell as coach of Real Madrid in 2021. One of France’s greatest ever players, he won the Champions League three times with Madrid but has not managed any other club. “Nobody is irreplaceable,” admitted Deschamps. “I have tried to be as indispensable as possible with the results that you know, but that is behind us now.” Zidane’s shadow will continue to hang over the France team in the coming months, as they prepare for their next matches, beginning with a two-legged Nations League quarter-final in March against Croatia.

Nigeria rejects Niger Republic’s Military Leader’s allegations

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 months ago06 mins

The Federal Government has strongly rejected the allegations in a viral video by the military leader of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming non-existent collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilise his country. These claims, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, exist solely in the realm of imagination, as Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France – or any other country – to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilise the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country. Idris said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country. Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger. “Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region. It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country. “Neither the Nigerian government nor any of its officials has ever been involved in arming or supporting any terror group to attack Niger Republic. Furthermore, no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic. “We reiterate our full support to senior Nigerian government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between the government and people of Nigeria and Niger, and for their efforts towards stronger cooperation in the ECOWAS region. “Indeed, Nigeria has a long-standing tradition of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Unlike some nations, Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil. This demonstrates our commitment to national independence and regional leadership. “The accusation that Nigeria seeks to sabotage Niger’s pipelines and agriculture is both unfounded and counterproductive. Nigeria has consistently supported Niger’s economic development through joint energy and infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project. It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted. “The claims about the alleged establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly orchestrated by Nigeria in collaboration with France, are baseless. Nigeria has been a regional leader in combating terrorism, dedicating significant resources and lives to ensure stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond. “Recently, the Nigerian military launched Operation Forest Sanity III, specifically addressing the Lakurawa threat, Code Named Operation Chase Lakurawa Out. How can a government actively fighting the Lakurawa menace now be accused of harbouring the same group within its borders? These accusations lack credible evidence and seem to be part of a broader attempt to deflect attention from Niger’s internal challenges. “The public is urged to disregard these false allegations. Those making such claims, particularly the Military Leader in Niger Republic, must provide credible evidence to substantiate them. Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in the Niger Republic is both disingenuous and doomed to fail. “President Tchiani’s allegations are not only unfounded but also a dangerous attempt to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings. Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and will continue to lead efforts to address terrorism and other transnational challenges. “We urge Niger to focus on constructive dialogue and collaboration rather than peddling baseless accusations.”

Pogba’s brother handed 3-year jail term for extortion

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 months ago02 mins

Six men, including the brother of France international Paul Pogba, were sentenced to prison terms of between three and eight years on Thursday after being convicted of extortion attempts targeting the footballer, French media reported. In 2022, Paul Pogba said he was the object of extortion attempts and threats from an organised gang, with his brother Mathias placed under formal investigation. Paul Pogba, 31, told the Paris prosecution office that he had been the target of extortion by childhood friends in March 2022 and had paid €100,000 ($104,000) to that group. Mathias received a three-year prison sentence, two of which are suspended, after he was found guilty of organised extortion and attempted extortion. He was also fined €20,000. The others include Roushdane K (eight years) Boubacar C (four years, two suspended), Machikour K (four years, three suspended), Mamadou M (five years, 12 months suspended) and Adama C (five years). Reuters has contacted Paul Pogba’s representatives for comment. The 2018 World Cup winner is without a club following the mutual termination of his contract with Juventus. He can return to competitive football in March after his ban for taking a prohibited substance was reduced from four years to 18 months.