NIGERIA RECEIVES STOLEN BENIN BRONZES FROM A LONDON MUSEUM.

The formal procedure of sending stolen bronzes from Benin back to Nigeria has started at a modest museum in south-east London.

On Monday, the Horniman Museum officially transferred ownership of the 72 priceless artifacts to the Nigerian government. The artifacts were kidnapped by force from Benin City in 1897.

The Horniman responded to a request from Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments by describing restoring the stolen items as a “moral and appropriate” action (NCMM).

Thousands of artefacts that were housed at prestigious institutions around the world, such as the British Museum, remain uncertain as to whether they will ever be returned.

However, two Benin Bronze plaques from the royal palace were among the first six artefacts to be recovered. They were given to Nigerian officials at a ceremony to celebrate the transfer of ownership of 72 seized items.

British soldiers took the goods from Benin City in February 1897.

Before the official handover, journalists questioned Abba Tijani, director general of the NCMM, and Nick Merriman, chief executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, about their feelings regarding the British Museum’s apparent reluctance to transfer the 900 objects it had held for more than a century.

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Journalists that ask me about the Benin repatriation always want to ask me about the British Museum, according to Mr. Merriman, who called the Horniman a “great example” of leadership.

I’d rather to discuss what a great example the Horniman is than respond to inquiries about the British Museum.

The first wave of physical repatriation of Benin artifacts from the Horniman includes the six artefacts chosen in consultation with the NCMM as being representative of the collection of 72 items.

The remainder will be able to remain in Britain temporarily on loan thanks to a new arrangement between the NCMM and the Horniman, with a second round of physical repatriations to follow.

Later, Mr. Tijani clarified that there were currently “5,000 scattered” Benin bronzes in existence. He expressed his hope that discussions with various organizations would lead to agreements that may signal the return of the artifacts from countries like Germany and the United States. (dpa/NAN)