
Nigeria Battles With Germany for Benin Artefacts
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The Federal Government has announced that more than 7,000 Benin artefacts in Germany are expected to be returned by October 2021
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The latest announcement comes after a series of discussions between both countries
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Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda has disclosed that an ultra-modern museum is being built in Edo state to house the artefacts
The federal government has revealed that Germany is expected to return 7000 stolen Benin artefacts by October 2021.
The latest announcement is coming after advanced decisions between Germany and Nigeria about the repatriation of the artefacts.
The news was passed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda during his appearance at the Inaugural Nigerian Cultural Show in New York.
Ambassador Gabriel Aduda revealed that an ultra-modern museum was being constructed in Edo state to house the artefacts.
Along with the return of the artefacts, Germany has begun the training of curators who will manage the artefacts at the museum for sustainability.
“There are over 7,000 different pieces of artefacts that the Republic of Germany wants to give back to Nigeria. We have talked deep into this that the reparation is not only at giving back, but they are coming to put a modern-day museum in Edo State and they are training 25 curators that will man the museum for sustainability.”
Earlier this month, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed disclosed that Germany will return 1,130 Benin artefacts.
However, controversy remains about who is going to take control of the artefacts.
The Oba of Benin wants the artefacts to be returned to private property in the palace while the governor will prefer if they are handed to a private trust.