German city of Cologne to return Benin Bronzes looted by Britain in 1897
The German city of Cologne has announced that it had decided to return its Benin bronzes from the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum to Nigeria.
The Foreign Office in Berlin is currently drawing up a political framework agreement between Nigeria and Germany.
The transfer of ownership rights does not rule out the possibility of some of the bronzes being shown in German museums in the future, the director of the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum, Nanette Snoep, told dpa.
“But the decision on this then lies with Nigeria,’’ she said, adding that this reverses “the power relations established by colonialism.’’
The Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum’s collection includes 96 court artworks that were looted from the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin in what is now South-South Nigeria by the British Army in 1897.
The works were subsequently auctioned off in Europe. It is Germany’s fourth-largest collection of Benin court art.
(dpa/NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
Economy
Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina
“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.
Lagos
New passport processing takes six weeks; avoid racketeers, Lagos NIS warns
The Lagos NIS office said Nigerians should utilise the NIS website when applying for passports and to supply all the information required.
Port Harcourt
Wike charges traditional rulers to stop illegal oil bunkering or face deposition
The tough-talking governor reiterated his resolve to sustain the war against illegal oil bunkering and artisanal refining activities in the state.
States
Police arrest transborder kidnap kingpin in Kwara
The police said that the suspect is a citizen of Benin Republic.
States
Zamfara Assembly begins impeachment moves against deputy governor Aliyu
The deputy governor, who has become leader of opposition party PDP in the state, is being accused of abuse of office and financial misappropriation.
States
Buhari speaks on Amaechi’s Daura chieftaincy
The Daura Emirate Council, where Mr Buhari hails from, will on Saturday bestow the title; “Dan Amana,” (the trusted one) on Mr Amaechi.
Sport
Middlesbrough dump out Man United from FA Cup
Anthony Elanga’s miss saw Boro celebrate a famous penalty kicks shootout victory at Old Trafford.
