PROTOCOL
Let me formally welcome His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo
State. His presence here, though not scheduled, is a big boost to our
ongoing efforts to repatriate the Benin Bronzes from all over the
world. May I also welcome the team from our Embassy in the Federal
Republic of Germany, led by His Excellency, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar,
and also the visiting delegation from Germany, led by Mr. Andreas
Gorgen, Director General for Culture and Communication of German
Foreign Affairs.
2. I want to appreciate, in particular, the hard work of our Embassy
in Germany which, in 2019,
wrote to the German Chancellor requesting for the return of Nigerian
antiquities in Germany. His Excellency the Ambassador also wrote to
the Oba of Benin on the need for all stakeholders in Nigeria seeking
for the return of Nigerian antiquities to act in unison. In January
2021, the Ambassador further wrote to the Federal Foreign Office of
Germany requesting for its support in repatriating Nigerian artefacts
from Germany. Thank you, Your Excellency, for these great efforts.
3. Prior to Ambassador Tuggar’s intervention, Nigeria, through the
National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), had initiated
discussions with several European museums, the Royal Palace of Benin
and the Edo State Government on the return of Benin Bronzes looted
from the Oba of Benin’s palace in 1897.
4. These discussions had led to the formation of what is now
globally called the Benin Dialogue Group (BDG), an offshoot of which
is the Legacy Restoration Trust (LRT) that was created to raise funds
towards establishing a museum capable of housing these antiquities
when eventually returned.
5. In 2019, we decided to raise the stakes on this issue. I, in my
capacity as the Minister of Information and Culture, addressed a world
press conference in Lagos to signal Nigeria’s resolve to seek the
repatriation of all our artefacts from around the world. I must say
that this global campaign has started yielding fruits, with the spate
of return of Nigerian artefacts by several countries.
6. I am aware that, following an earlier meeting involving the
German delegation, the NCMM, Edo State Government and the Royal Palace
of Benin over the Benin Bronzes, certain agreements were reached.
These are:
a) Benin bronzes from German museums shall be released to Nigeria.
Upon their return, the bronzes are expected to be exhibited at the
proposed museum being anchored by the Legacy Restoration Trust, of
which NCMM is a part. We do know, from our knowledge of the workings
of the German federal system, particularly regarding museums and
antiquities, that a lot of work must have gone into the agreement by
the German Federal government, the states and cities to have made the
announcement of a return to be made.
b) As part of the agreement from the last meeting on March 17th 2021,
an opportunity for postgraduate museum studies for two young
Nigerians, as part of selected scholars worldwide, is being provided
by the German government.
7. After the last meeting, Germany released a globally-acknowledged
statement signifying its intention to release a substantial part of
the Benin antiquities in its hold. The German delegation has also
signified its intention to assist us in building a storage facility
for the repatriated antiquities. I am informed that this facility will
be built as part of the National Museum complex in Benin, which
ultimately will be part of the Cultural hub which European partners
and the NCMM, the Edo Government and the Royal Palace of Benin,
through the Legacy Restoration Trust, are constructing. I must say
this is a welcome development and a great example to the world,
especially to those other countries holding Nigerian artfacts
8. It is therefore with pleasure that I welcome the German
delegation, which is here in Nigeria to meet with all stakeholders as
part of efforts to work out the modalities for the return of the
Nigerian artefacts.
9. I believe that after this follow-up visit by an enlarged German
delegation, which is here today, the pace of the much-expected return
of Nigerian antiquities from Germany will be quickened.
10. Once again, I welcome you all and I thank you for your kind attention.
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