President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to nations, institutions and bodies, both private and public, to return Nigeria’s looted artefacts in their possession.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Buhari’s media aide Garba Shehu said the president made the appeal in the aftermath of the return of two important artefacts from Britain.

On Saturday, the president welcomed the official handover of the Okwukor and the head of an Oba of Benin bronzes to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. They were repatriated from the University of Cambridge and University of Aberdeen, respectively, in the UK, after 125 years.

While urging other countries to take a cue from the institutions, Mr Buhari vowed that Nigeria would pursue the repatriation of Nigerian artefacts vigorously.

According to him, the government will ensure that they are put to good and proper use on their return in museums and other facilities in conjunction with the royal families and kingdoms that lost these artefacts.

He noted that in line with international law and practice, export, import and control over antiquities were matters within the purview of national governments to be exercised on behalf of sub-national authorities, institutions and bodies.

”I also want to appreciate the Federal Republic of Germany, which is planning the process of repatriating 1,130 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria from many of Germany’s public museums. These returns are scheduled for this year,” said Mr Buhari.

Mr Buhari recalled that the artefacts were taken away by British soldiers in 1897 when they attacked the ancient Benin Kingdom.

”These artefacts are part of the records of the history of the Benin people. My directive to return these artefacts to the Oba of Benin marks the beginning of another aspect in the highly valued relationship between the Federal Government of Nigeria and our traditional institutions, who are indeed the true custodians of our history, customs and traditions,” the president explained.

He added, ”This directive is also significant because it will introduce a working relationship between the federal government as represented by the NCMM and the traditional institutions whereby this commission negotiates the release of antiquities from foreign museums and institutions on behalf of Nigeria.”

(NAN)