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Britain: London museum returns to Nigeria artworks seized in 1897

Seventy-two works of art seized in 1897 during a British military invasion of Benin City will be returned to Nigeria, London’s Horniman Museum has announced.

Among the works are twelve brass plaques, known as “Benin Bronzes”, ivory or brass cult objects, everyday objects such as fans and baskets, and a key “to the king’s palace”.

The decision to return them is in response to a request made in January by the National Commission of Museums and Monuments of Nigeria, whose director-general, Professor Abba Tizani, welcomed the London museum’s decision.

“The evidence was clear that these objects were forcibly removed and the external consultation confirmed our argument that it is both ethical and proper for them to be returned to Nigeria,” said Eve Salomon, president of the Horniman Museum’s administration.

The museum will discuss with a Nigerian committee the formal process of transferring the works and the possibility of certain objects remaining on loan for display or for research or educational purposes.

Nigeria has negotiated the return of the Benin Bronzes with several European countries and plans to build a museum in Benin City, Edo State, where they will be collected and exhibited.

In November, France returned 26 of these artifacts to Nigeria, while two more artifacts were returned from the United Kingdom earlier this year.

SOURCE: APE-ME

Source: Capital

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