Wednesday, October 27, 2021 has been set aside as the agreed date for the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to receive a Benin Bronze From Jesus College, Cambridge University, United Kingdom (UK).
The bronze cockerel kept at the university had been looted in a British raid on what is now Nigeria will be handed back on the said date
The Benin bronze, known as an “Okukor”, was given to Jesus College in 1905.
The return is said to be the first of such returns where delegates from NCMM and the Benin Royal family will visit the college for a ceremony to complete the handover before the return of the bronze to the rightful owner, Benin royal family
In May 2019, Jesus College set up its Legacy of Slavery Working Party – comprising Fellows, staff and student representatives to explore the historical, legal and moral status of the College’s ownership of the Bronze. The examined evidence showed that the statue was looted directly from the Court of Benin, as part of the punitive British expedition of 1897, and was given to the College in 1905 by the father of a student.
In November 2019, Jesus College became the first institution in the world to announce its decision to return a Benin Bronze.
Speaking on the issue, the highly elated Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II said: “We are indeed very pleased and commend Jesus College for taking this lead in making restitution for the plunder that occurred in Benin in 1897.
He added: “We truly hope that others will expedite the return of our artworks which in many cases are of religious importance to us. We wish to thank our President Buhari and our National Commission for Museums and Monuments for their renewed efforts in securing the release of our artefacts on our behalf.
The Benin monarch also thanked the student body of Cambridge University for bringing to light the historical significance of this revered piece of the Royal Court of Benin, noting that “it is worthy of note that our father attended Cambridge University but was then Prince Solomon Akenzua who later ascended the throne of our forefathers as Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin.”
Also, the Master of Jesus College, Ms Sonita Alleyne OBE, described the return of the bronze as historic, saying “we look forward to welcoming representatives from Nigeria and Benin to the handover ceremony and to celebrate the return of this Bronze.”
According to her, “This is the right thing to do out of respect for the unique heritage and history of this artefact.
“Since we took the decision to return the Bronze following the College’s Legacy of Slavery Working Party’s (LSWP) extensive research, many organisations have followed in our footsteps.”
Thanking LSWP for its diligent and careful investigation into the origin of the Bronze, she also appreciated the college Fellows for their keen support for its restitution, as well as other students who pioneered the call for the return.
In his remarks, Nigeria Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, thanked the college for being a trailblazer, pointing out that the Nigerian Government looked forward to a similar return of artefacts by other institutions that are in possession of them.
On his part, the Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Professor Abba Isa Tijani, said the return offers new hope for amicable resolution in cultural property ownership disputes.
“We hope that it will set a precedent for others around the world who are still doubtful of this new evolving approach whereby nations and institutions agree with source nations on return without rancour.
“On our part, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments will receive this antiquity for the benefit of the Benin people and the people of Nigeria”, Tijani declared.