FG To Take Possession Of Looted Benin Bronzes When Returned — Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government says, in line with operative conventions
and laws, it will take possession of the 1,130 looted Benin bronzes
being expected from Germany.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed
disclosed this on Saturday in Lagos at a news conference on the
efforts by the federal government to repatriate looted smuggled
artefacts from around the world.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Mohammed was reacting
to the controversy that had trailed who will take possession of the
expected artefact between the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and Edo
state Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

NAN reports that while the Oba wanted the artefacts stolen from
Benin Palace in 1987 to be returned to a museum to be built within
the Palace premises, the governor showed preference for a private
trust to take custody and manage the artefacts,

The Minister however said the federal government was the entity
recognised by international law as the authority in control of
antiquities originating from the country.

“The Federal Government is aware of the widely-reported
controversy when on who will take possession of the Benin Bronzes
when they are returned from Germany.

“Let me state clearly here that, in line with international best
practice and the operative Conventions and laws, the return of the
artefacts is being negotiated bilaterally between the national
governments of Nigeria and Germany.

“Nigeria is the entity recognised by international law as the
authority in control of antiquities originating from Nigeria.

“The relevant international Conventions treat heritage
properties as properties belonging to the nation and not to
individuals or subnational groups,’’ he said.

The minister cited the 1970 UNESCO Convention, in its Article 1
which defines cultural property as property specifically designated
by that nation.

He said the provision allows individual nations to determine
what it regards as its cultural property.

He, however, noted that the provision notwithstanding, his
ministry had been working over the past years to repatriate looted
artefacts in partnership with traditional institutions and state
governments

“What we are saying, in essence, is that the federal government
will take possession of these antiquities, because it is its duty
to do so, in line with the extant laws.

“We have always exercised this right in cognisance of that
culture that produced the artworks.

“That is why the Ministry of Information and Culture and the
National Commission for Museums and Monuments have always involved
both the Edo State government and the Royal Benin Palace in
discussions and negotiations that have now resulted in the
impending return of these antiquities,’’ he said.

The minister said the federal government was not just involved
in the repatriation of Benin artefacts.

He said his ministry was also working on repatriating Ife
Bronzes and Terracotta, Nok Terracotta, Owo Terracotta, the arts of
the Benue River Valley, the Igbo Ukwu and the arts of Bida, Igala,
Jukun etc.

Mohammed commended the Government of Germany for taking the lead
in the global efforts to repatriate all artefacts that were looted
from Nigeria and from the African continent.

“As I said during the meeting in Berlin, we see Germany as a
leader in the efforts to take practical steps to repatriate our
stolen artefacts, and we hope Germany will sustain that lead.

He also applauded the development that the repatriation of the
artefacts would be the beginning of a new vista of stronger
relations and cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and Germany.

He disclosed that there would be archaeological training for
Nigerians among other benefits accruing from the ongoing talks.

“The Nigerian side and the German side agreed to Nigeria’s
proposal to use the repatriated artefacts and other works of art to
inspire Nigeria’s Creative Industry towards realising its high
potential.

“For this and other purposes, it was agreed that the Germans
will facilitate the establishment of an academy in Nigeria,’’ he
said.

The minister equally thanked Gov. Godwin Obaseki for his
commitment as well as the Oba for sending the Benin Crown Prince,
His Royal Highness Ezelekhae Ewuare, to be a part of the Nigerian
delegation to Berlin. (NAN)

The Federal Government says, in line with operative conventions
and laws, it will take possession of the 1,130 looted Benin bronzes
being expected from Germany.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed
disclosed this on Saturday in Lagos at a news conference on the
efforts by the federal government to repatriate looted smuggled
artefacts from around the world.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Mohammed was reacting
to the controversy that had trailed who will take possession of the
expected artefact between the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and Edo
state Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

NAN reports that while the Oba wanted the artefacts stolen from
Benin Palace in 1987 to be returned to a museum to be built within
the Palace premises, the governor showed preference for a private
trust to take custody and manage the artefacts,

The Minister however said the federal government was the entity
recognised by international law as the authority in control of
antiquities originating from the country.

“The Federal Government is aware of the widely-reported
controversy when on who will take possession of the Benin Bronzes
when they are returned from Germany.

“Let me state clearly here that, in line with international best
practice and the operative Conventions and laws, the return of the
artefacts is being negotiated bilaterally between the national
governments of Nigeria and Germany.

“Nigeria is the entity recognised by international law as the
authority in control of antiquities originating from Nigeria.

“The relevant international Conventions treat heritage
properties as properties belonging to the nation and not to
individuals or subnational groups,’’ he said.

The minister cited the 1970 UNESCO Convention, in its Article 1
which defines cultural property as property specifically designated
by that nation.

He said the provision allows individual nations to determine
what it regards as its cultural property.

He, however, noted that the provision notwithstanding, his
ministry had been working over the past years to repatriate looted
artefacts in partnership with traditional institutions and state
governments

“What we are saying, in essence, is that the federal government
will take possession of these antiquities, because it is its duty
to do so, in line with the extant laws.

“We have always exercised this right in cognisance of that
culture that produced the artworks.

“That is why the Ministry of Information and Culture and the
National Commission for Museums and Monuments have always involved
both the Edo State government and the Royal Benin Palace in
discussions and negotiations that have now resulted in the
impending return of these antiquities,’’ he said.

The minister said the federal government was not just involved
in the repatriation of Benin artefacts.

He said his ministry was also working on repatriating Ife
Bronzes and Terracotta, Nok Terracotta, Owo Terracotta, the arts of
the Benue River Valley, the Igbo Ukwu and the arts of Bida, Igala,
Jukun etc.

Mohammed commended the Government of Germany for taking the lead
in the global efforts to repatriate all artefacts that were looted
from Nigeria and from the African continent.

“As I said during the meeting in Berlin, we see Germany as a
leader in the efforts to take practical steps to repatriate our
stolen artefacts, and we hope Germany will sustain that lead.

He also applauded the development that the repatriation of the
artefacts would be the beginning of a new vista of stronger
relations and cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and Germany.

He disclosed that there would be archaeological training for
Nigerians among other benefits accruing from the ongoing talks.

“The Nigerian side and the German side agreed to Nigeria’s
proposal to use the repatriated artefacts and other works of art to
inspire Nigeria’s Creative Industry towards realising its high
potential.

“For this and other purposes, it was agreed that the Germans
will facilitate the establishment of an academy in Nigeria,’’ he
said.

The minister equally thanked Gov. Godwin Obaseki for his
commitment as well as the Oba for sending the Benin Crown Prince,
His Royal Highness Ezelekhae Ewuare, to be a part of the Nigerian
delegation to Berlin. (NAN)