President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will continue fighting for the repatriation of Nigeria’s artifacts looted during the colonial era, including 1,130 Benin Bronzes, currently on display in Germany’s public museums.
The President gave this assurance on Friday in Abuja while receiving the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
The Oba was accompanied by members of the Royal Court of Benin and the Board of Trustees of the Benin Royal Museum.
His Royal Majesty was at the State House to thank the President for the recent return of two important Benin Bronzes to their original place of abode by the University of Cambridge and the University of Aberdeen, both in the United Kingdom, after 125 years.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, while speaking on the return of the artifacts, 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 statement reads in part, ‘‘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.”
