President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration would continue to pursue the repatriation of looted Nigeria’s artefacts from abroad, including 1,130 Benin Bronzes in Germany’s public museums.
Buhari gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja while receiving the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, accompanied by members of the Royal Court of Benin and the Board of Trustees of the Benin Royal Museum.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the Oba of Benin was at the Presidential Villa to thank Buhari on the recent return of two important Benin Bronzes to its original place of abode by the University of Cambridge and the University of Aberdeen, both in the United Kingdom, after 125 years.
Speaking on the return of the artefacts, President Buhari expressed delight that it has brought immense goodwill and acclaim to Nigeria, the ancient Benin Kingdom, as well as happiness to the Oba of Benin.
The President noted that while it is widely acknowledged around the world that some of the best ancient arts belong to Nigeria, including those from Benin, Ife, Nok and Igbo-Ukwu, many of the beautiful works were illicitly taken away, particularly during the colonial period.
Affirming that the cultural and artistic works were records of history, the Buhari vowed the Federal Government would not allow the great works to become properties of others, adding that his administration has made it an important task to ensure the return of the artefacts.
The President further assured the first-class traditional ruler that the Federal Government will continue in this great cause with his support and that of other traditional rulers.
He said: “In furtherance to these efforts, an agreement between Nigeria and Germany is currently being prepared. When concluded, it will signify the return to Nigeria by Germany of all the 1,130 Benin Bronzes in Germany’s public museums. This will be a monumental achievement.
“Furthermore, on the 7th of this month, the Glasgow City Council agreed to return 17 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. The legal issues are in the process of being sorted out.
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“Other success stories include the return by the Netherlands in October 2020 of a 600-year-old Ife Terracotta; the return in April 2021 of a bronze piece from Mexico; as well as the repatriation, in November 2021, of two Benin Bronzes and an Ife Bronze head from the Metropolitan Museum, New York.”
Buhari further acknowledged the efforts of the officials of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, who are currently working with the Oxford University, the Great North Museum of Newcastle University, Rhode Island School, and other places on the modalities for the return of Nigerian antiquities, particularly the Benin Bronzes.
He expressed optimism that with careful planning and management, Nigeria would generate revenue from the repatriated antiquities.
On his part, the Oba of Benin informed the President that his Royal Court has concluded plans with the NCMM to establish an ultramodern international standard Benin Royal Museum to house the Benin Bronzes and other artefacts for the purpose of preserving history, tourism and education.
“We want to reassure Mr President that the Royal Court of Benin and NCMM are working closely to ensure safe custody, preservation and enhancement of these Benin bronzes and artefacts not only for their cultural and economic benefits, but more importantly towards the promotion of the tourism industry in Nigeria,” he said.
The monarch reassured Nigerians that the Benin Bronzes and artefacts represent the country’s cultural heritage in particular and Africa in general, saying: “We hold these objects in trust as the original owners in conjunction with NCMM for the benefit of all.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, affirmed that the Federal Government would continue to assert its rights over all the country’s antiquities around the world.
