President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Federal Government will continue to pursue the repatriation of looted Nigeria’s artefacts from abroad, including 1,130 Benin Bronzes in Germany’s public museums.
The President Muhammadu Buhari gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja when he received 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.
The king was at the Aso Villa to thank the president for two important Benin Bronzes returned to their place of origin 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 had brought immense goodwill and acclaim to Nigeria, the ancient Benin Kingdom as well as happiness to the Oba of Benin.
The president asserted that it was widely acknowledged around the world that some of the best ancient arts belong to Nigeria, including those from Benin, Ife, Nok and Igbo-Ukwu, and expressed regrets that many of the beautiful works were illicitly taken away, particularly during the colonial period.
The President noted that those great cultural and artistic works are records of history, and pledged that Nigeria would not allow the great works of the nation to become other people’s properties.
Buhari maintained that his administration had made it an important task to ensure the return of the artefacts.
‘‘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.
‘‘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,’’ the president said.
The president acknowledged the efforts of officials of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments currently working with the Oxford University, the Great North Museum of Newcastle University, Rhode Island School and numerous 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 could generate revenue from the repatriated antiquities.
‘‘We look forward to a future when these returned antiquities and our arts and culture shall be deployed in generating revenue for the nation.
‘‘I am glad to hear that the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) are already working towards this by reaching out to other nations and cultural institutions on travelling exhibitions to showcase the rich culture of Nigeria through these antiquities.
‘‘This can happen if officials in charge of these priceless artefacts take due care to maintain and preserve these treasures in good condition at all times,’’ he said.
Speaking, the Oba of Benin intimated that his Royal Court had 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 Royal Father reassured Nigerians that the Benin Bronzes and artefacts represented the country’s cultural heritage in particular and Africa in general, saying that they hold those objects in trust, as the original owners, in conjunction with NCMM for the benefit of all.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, affirmed that Nigeria would continue to assert its rights over all its antiquities around the world.
He added that the country would not hesitate to implore nations, institutions, men and women of goodwill to see the unfairness in the affairs of one body holding on to the cultural property fashioned by the genius of another.
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