Skip to main content

Advertisement

Federal Government Launches Campaign To Repatriate Stolen And Smuggled Artifacts

The Federal Government has launched the campaign for the return and restitution of Nigeria’s looted and smuggled Artifacts from around the world.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, launched the campaign at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, November 28th saying “with this announcement, we are putting on notice all those who are holding on to Nigeria’s cultural property anywhere in the world that we are coming for them, using all legal and diplomatic instruments available.

Gentlemen, we are under no illusion that this will be an easy task, but no one should also doubt our determination to make a success of this campaign”.

Mohammed said Nigeria cannot imagine by what logic an Ife Bronze or a Benin Bronze or a Nok Terracotta can belong to any other part of the globe except to the people of Nigeria, whose ancestors made them.

“We have never laid claim to the Mona Lisa or a Rembrandt. Those who looted our heritage resources, especially during the 19th century wars, or those who smuggled them out of the country for pecuniary reasons, have simply encouraged the impoverishment of our heritage and stealing of our past,” he said.

The Minister said these timeless and priceless pieces of work are an important part of the nation’s past, its history, and heritage resource, and that allowing them to sit in the museums of other nations robs Nigeria of our history.

He said in its quest to diversify the economy by leveraging on the culture and tourism sector, the government considers these priceless artifacts as critical components of the diversification drive.

He said in launching the campaign, Nigeria is emboldened by Article 4 of the UNESCO 1970 Convention, to which most nations subscribe, which identifies the categories of cultural property that form part of the cultural heritage of each member state, thereby belonging to that State.

He said by the provisions of the Article, they include cultural property created by the individual or collective genius of nationals of the State concerned, and cultural property which has been the subject of a freely agreed exchange or received as a gift or purchased legally with the consent of the competent authorities of the country of origin of such property.

The post Federal Government Launches Campaign To Repatriate Stolen And Smuggled Artifacts appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

Comments

Facebook

Ads

Popular posts from this blog

President Ram Nath Kovind lauds Narednra Modi government’s campaigns to promote health and education for...

President Ram Nath Kovind lauds Narednra Modi government’s campaigns to promote health and education for... President Ram Nath Kovind said some people in our country were unable to understand the importance of daughters. President Ramnath Kovind Saturday lauded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi -led central government’s awareness campaign to promote health and education for women and girl’s. While inaugurating an international workshop of the Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Society of India (FOGSI), organised at the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Medical (GSVM) college, President Kovind said even though daughters faced more restrictions than sons, they were surging ahead in many areas. Kovind said some people in our country were unable to understand the importance of daughters. Speaking about the Centre’s initiatives for women, he said, “I am happy that the central government’s schemes like ‘beti bachao, beti padhao’, ‘sukanya samriddhi’ and ‘kishori yojna’ etc., are chang...

Jussie Smollett Reacts to 'Empire' Renewal News

Jussie Smollett is unlikely to return to Empire during the upcoming sixth season, but he is still showing support for the Fox series. The network just announced that the show has been renewed for a new season , but Jussie ‘s character Jamal will not be in any of the early episodes. His contract has been extended for the possibility of a return in the future. A representative for Jussie released a statement with his reaction to the news. Click inside to find out what was said… “We’ve been told that Jussie will not be on Empire in the beginning of the season but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open. Most importantly he is grateful to Fox and Empire leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support,” his rep said in a statement (via Variety ). It has been reported this past week that the cast of Empire has been rallying behind Jussie and campaigned for him to be included in season six.