Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment To Recover Stolen Artefacts – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
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Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment To Recover Stolen Artefacts
The Federal Government has vowed to pursue all necessary measures, including legal action in international courts, to recover cultural artefacts stolen from Nigeria.
Senator Ned Nwoko, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriations, made this declaration during the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja. The committee has been tasked with a significant mandate: investigating historical injustices against Nigerian communities and individuals while recommending appropriate reparations.
Senator Nwoko emphasized the importance of inclusivity in achieving the committee’s goals. He revealed plans to collaborate with traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and international partners such as the United Nations and the African Union. Public hearings will also be held soon to engage stakeholders and define the committee’s roadmap.
The senator highlighted recent achievements in the fight to reclaim Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
In October 2022, 31 Benin Bronze artefacts stolen 125 years ago were returned to Nigeria from three U.S. museums. These included 29 items from the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, one from the National Gallery of Art, and one from the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.
In November 2022, six artefacts looted by British troops in 1897 were returned to Nigeria. These objects, including two 16th-century bronze plaques taken from the royal palace in Benin City, were handed over to Abba Tijani, the Director-General of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), during a ceremony at the Horniman Museum in London.
The repatriation of these artefacts is a step toward addressing historical injustices and restoring Nigeria’s cultural heritage. Senator Nwoko stressed that the government remains committed to ensuring justice through sustained efforts and international collaboration.
As the committee moves forward, its work promises to be a crucial part of Nigeria’s fight to preserve its history and secure reparations for past wrongs.