Stakeholders in the culture sector have lauded the recent restitution of 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, saying it is a significant step toward restoring the nation’s dignity and reclaiming stolen heritage.
They spoke on the sidelines of the official signing ceremony of the handover of the Benin Bronzes on Saturday at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Edo, Dr Samson Osagie, said the repatriated bronzes, which were the single largest number that had been returned, are the hallmark of the Benin Kingdom.
“That the things which made that kingdom unique way back, many centuries ago, are coming back is a reflection of the emergence of cultural justice for the people following the genocide committed against them,” he said.
He pledged the state government’s commitment to support the palace to ensure that a befitting Benin royal museum was constructed for showcasing the artefacts.
“That will attract a lot of people to Benin and continue to showcase the palace and the Benin Kingdom on a global map,” he said.
He noted that the artefacts, which had also become national sacred objects to the Federal Government would be well preserved and stored.
Also, a former Deputy Governor of Edo, Lucky Imaseun, described the gesture by the Dutch Government as wonderful.
According to him, the Benin bronzes symbolise part of the history of the Edo people.
“If this event were two or three hundred years ago, and this were to be in Benin, the artisans would be invited.
“They would carve the people who are in attendance today and photographically capture the event for historians, memories, and people to talk about,” he said.
Imaseun commended the Federal Government and the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom, Oba Ewuare II, for their efforts in ensuring that the bronzes were repatriated.
Co-founder of the African Cultural Show, Goge Africa, Nneka Moses, said the returned artefacts were a reflection that Nigeria’s creativity did not start with Nollywood and the current artists..
“It is something that is embedded in us from centuries before the Western world opened its eyes to see,” she said.
Moses said, “It has become international art because they’ve been out there and have come home.
“People will come to see them, and they will get that to the roots,” she said.
She commended the Netherlands Government for setting the pace by returning the 119 Benin Bronzes, adding that it showed integrity, and also a mark of respect for Nigeria.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Tourism, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said the return of the artefacts was not just a restitution of items but of dignity, identity, values, ideals, and shared humanity binding the people.
“The return of these bronzes underscores the critical importance of heritage preservation and cultural promotion as central tenets of our national identity.
“As a nation rich in diversity and history, Nigeria’s cultural heritage serves as both a beacon of pride and cornerstone of our creative economy,” she said.
