The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) is demanding the return of the thirty-two artefacts looted during the Benin Massacre of 1897 and donated to the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, United States of America by one of the heirs of the beneficiary of the expedition, Mr. Robert Owen Lehman
The demand was contained in a statement by the Director-General of the commission, Mr. Yusuf Abdallah Usman.
Usman said the collections, 28 Bronze and six Ivories, were part of the exploits of the British Expedition taken out illegally on the pretext of spoils of war and called for their return to their rightful owners.
He said: "We have read with trepidation the donation of thirty-two works of Benin Art precisely 28 Bronze and six Ivories looted during the Benin Massacre of 1897 by one of the heirs of the beneficiary of the expedition Mr. Robert Owen Lehman to the Museum of Fine Art Boston U.S.A.
"Without mincing words, these artworks are heirloom of the great people of the Benin Kingdom and Nigeria generally. They form part of the history of the people. The gap created by this senseless exploitation is causing our people, untold anguish, discomfort and disillusionment.
"It is very saddening that the Museum of Fine Arts Boston U.S.A. who now claim to be the new beneficiary of these works indicate that the donation met all legal standards. One wonders what they mean by this? Are they working out of the UNESCO Conventions and other standard setting instruments?
"We are vehemently opposed to this stance by the management of the Museum of Fine Art. Objects taken illegally should be returned to their rightful owners and in this case the people of Nigeria. No one can give objective and true history of their patrimony however much they tried than the true owners.
"For the avoidance of doubt we hereby place it on record that we demand, as we have always done, the return of these looted works and all stolen, removed or looted artifacts from Nigeria under whatever guise."
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Nigeria demands return of stolen Benin artifacts from US
Nigeria demands return of stolen Benin artifacts from US
NigerianEye
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Thursday, July 19, 2012
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Whoever originated this idea of the return of the artefacts is DUMB,to say the least. Are artefacts the problem of nigerians? When billions of dollars are being looted by politicians and no one is writing to call for such monies to be returned? If the DG is acting in good faith,then we're in trouble. Tackle what affects the generality of the people - corruption- instead of wasting energy on some story-telling artefact that on their own cannot place food on the tables of Nigerian. Even in his Commission, there's so much corruption that dwarfs the actual value of what the British or whoever stole from us. Enough of this attention seeking stunts. Stop corruption in your commission and the world will listen when you talk. I'm sick and tired of this country. Rubbish! Absolute rubbish!
ReplyDeleteWell done, dont let these theives rest, and while your at it what of the bronzes and jewelry in the "British Museum" in London. Press these issues all the way you have massive support.
ReplyDeleteThere are more in the British Museums,,,infact the most valuable of all the mast of Queen idia is there.
ReplyDeleteI hope this would not breed another problem in the future....
ReplyDeleteThou shal have no other gods b4 me (God almighty), thou shal not make any graven image, or any likenes..., thou shal not bow down thysef to them.... Exo 20. All these artifacts are the gods the bible's talking about here. Dont go after them.
ReplyDelete