Germany Officially Repatriats 22 Looted Artefacts to Nigeria 

The Nigerian government on Tuesday officially received 22 repatriated cultural artefacts from the German government in a ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

The repatriated Benin Bronzes were handed over by a huge delegation from Germany led by the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany, Frau Annalena Baerbock along side her Cultural counterpart Claudia Roth.

Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed applauded the German government for the share understanding and effort towards the return of the priceless possession.

He called on other nations and institutions still holding on to Nigerian antiquities to release them.

Mohammed emphatically emphasised the British Museum holding more then Benin bronzes to take a cue from Germany and  return them unconditionally.

“We call on all other nations, institutions, museums and private collectors still holding on to Nigerian antiquities to release them.

“Particularly, we call on the British Museum to release the more than 900 Benin Bronzes in its hold. A year has rolled by since Nigeria submitted an official letter to the British Museum demanding the return of Nigerian antiquities in this museum. Yet there has been no reply of any kind.

“I visited in July this year hoping that the success recorded with the Germans will nudge the British Museum to do what is right. But I met a brick wall.The British Museum and all those holding on to our artefacts must understand that repatriation is a cause which time has come. 

“They must also understand that many of these cultural objects are not mere art to us but the true essence of our being.They are not mere decorative works but our culture and heritage. They belong here, not anywhere else,” Nigeria’s Information and Culture Minister said.

In appreciating the German authorities, the Minister said moment comes in the history of mankind that people and societies are beckoned upon to do what is right. This moment beckoned and Germany seized it.

“Forever, Nigeria, Africa and indeed all of humanity, will remember and always cherish this period in human history when Germany stood by us. When Germany mooted and announced the idea of returning Nigerian Benin Bronzes, the entire globe treated the news with disbelief. 

“However, Germany did not stop at a mere announcement but followed up with a visit to Nigeria by high ranking officials in March 2021 to further assure us.Because of what Germany has done, negotiations with other nations, institutions and museums for repatriation of the Benin Bronzes in their possession became swifter.

“Subsequent meetings by Nigeria with Germany were on modalities, and the Germans were gracious throughout. Finally, on July 7, 2022, with the eyes of the whole world glued to their television screens, Germany signed the declaration with Nigeria to release all 1,130 Benin Bronzes in Germany public museums.”

According to the Minister, twenty years ago, even ten years ago, nobody could have anticipated these bronzes returning to Nigeria, because the obstacles to achieving repatriation were seemingly insurmountable. But today, with the pioneering gesture of a friendly nation, Germany, the story has changed.

He says, “The negotiations were not as easy as things look today. They were stormy at times. But the sincerity of the Germans played a big role in resolving knotty issues. In this regard, my special gratitude goes to Andreas Gorgen and the Directors of the various museums for their patience and understanding.”

Infrastructure Development

Alhaji Mohammed also informed the gathering that the Nigerian Government was embarking on infrastructural development around the National Museum in Benin City.

He said it would be in addition to the infrastructural developments that are being initiated by other stakeholders in Nigeria and the immense support of foreign partners, particularly Germany.

He said Benin City would easily become a cultural hub for Africa.

“We want to thank the Federal Government of Germany and its officials for these unprecedented moves that culminated in this event.We understand that Germany, like Nigeria, practises a federal system of government, hence we know that it must have taken a lot of uncommon understanding, efforts and synergies to achieve this feat. We appreciate this and thank you.”

Appreciation to Other Countries

The Minister seized the opportunity provided by the event to thank the Netherlands, which in October 2020 returned a 600-year-old Ife Terracotta; the University of Aberdeen, and Jesus College of the University of Cambridge, for returning the Benin Bronzes in their holding; the Metropolitan Museum in New York which returned Ife and Benin Bronzes; the Horniman Museums and Gardens in London which in October, 2022 signed the legal transfer of 72 Benin Bronzes.

The Minister says, ” I also want to thank the Smithsonian in Washington, the National Gallery of Art of the United States and the Rhodes Island School of Design for releasing the Benin Bronzes in their holdings.

In his continues commendations, he acknowledged the Pitt Rivers Museum of the University of Oxford; the Ashmolean Museum of the University of Oxford and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology of the University of Cambridge; Glasgow City Council in Scotland, National Museums of Scotland and other institutions like them that are working assiduously towards repatriating the Benin Bronzes in their possession.

“I want to announce that Nigeria is not only seeking the return of Benin Bronzes but all Nigerian antiquities that were illegally or  illicitly exported. It is upon returning these artefacts that true justice will be seen to have been done,” the Nigerian Minister added.

In her remarks, the leader of the German delegation and  Federal Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock said it was indeed a pleasure for the German government to take that instructive decision to return the listed artefacts.

She said the German authorities believe it high time it right the wrong of the past.

She said eventhough the action might not erase the fact that there brutal colonialism between Africa and Europe and also the fact that these priceless cultural products were looted, but it would sure deepen a sincerely enriching diplomatic relationship and friendship between the two. nations.

Meanwhile Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama said this singular act has brought tremendous respect to Germany among the commitee of nations.

He said Nigeria was ready to share the artefacts with other parts of the world in a more legitimate way.

“It is our products but we won’t deny the rest of humanity access to viewing and learning,” Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister added.

 

 

 

Confidence Okwuchi