About 7,000 artefacts stolen from Benin Kingdom during the Benin massacre in 1897, are expected to be repatriated by the German to Nigeria
not later than October this year.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, who disclosed this at the inaugural Nigerian Cultural Show exhibiting Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage, sites and traditional festivals held at the Cultural Centre, Nigeria House, New York said, the reparation of the artefacts would go with building an ultramodern museum in Edo State and the training of some curators that would handle the artefacts.
According to him, discussions had reached an advanced stage between the Nigerian and the German Governments to return thousands of different pieces of Benin Bronzes back to the country.
The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that the ministry had been at the forefront alongside relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to facilitate the repatriation of thousands of Benin Bronzes from the Republic of
Germany.
“We are working with relevant MDAs, we have had several high-level meetings with the Republic of Germany and we are at stage where thousands of artworks are to be returned to Nigeria” he said.
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