Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
As a major win for the Benin Kingdom and by extension, Nigeria, the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy has received two Benin bronzes, a bronze relief plaque, and a commemorative head as part of its ongoing efforts to reclaim Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Recall that these artifacts were among those looted during the invasion of the Benin Kingdom by the British in 1897 and they are now being repatriated from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, United States.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, expressed gratitude to the Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, who facilitated the return of the items.
“This is a historic moment for Nigeria, the ministry, and the good people of the Benin Kingdom.
“We are still in conversation with several other institutions that hold these artefacts, and soon the process of returning them all to their rightful owners will begin,” Musawa said.
Also thanking the facilitators involved, the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, stated, “What we are witnessing today is the return of a huge part of Nigeria’s history.
“While this occasion is symbolic to Benin, it is also symbolic to Nigeria’s broader restitution struggle. We also have objects from Ife, so this event is historic, irrespective of the small gathering.”