Creative Industry
Foreign Affairs Ministry Hands Over Two Benin Bronzes to Art & Culture Ministry
Joel Ajayi
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has handed over two Benin Bronzes, a bronze relief plaque and a commemorative head, to the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to reclaim its cultural heritage.
In a statement issued on Monday by theSA Media & Publicity Office of the Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE, reveals that the artifacts, looted during the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom, were repatriated from the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston. The handover ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, thanked the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, for facilitating the return of the pieces.
“This is a historic moment for Nigeria, the Ministry, and the good people of the Benin kingdom. We are still having conversations with several others in custody of these artifacts, and soon, the process of returning them all to their rightful owners will begin,” Musawa stated.
Earlier, the Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway, expressed appreciation to all facilitators, including staff of NCMM, for the long-awaited success.
“Our appreciation also goes to His Royal Highness, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa who led the struggle to recover the pieces. What we are witnessing today is the return of a huge part of Nigeria’s history. As much as this occasion is symbolic to Benin, it is also symbolic to Nigeria’s struggle as far as the restitution of our cultural objects is concerned. We also have objects from Ife, so this event is historic, irrespective of the small gathering,” Holloway stated.
A symbolic handover to the Ministry by the Minister of Foreign Affairs took place in the presence of the three high chiefs who represented the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
The event was attended by management staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, and NCMM.
Creative Industry
NTDA Moves to Transform Gelede Festival into a National Cultural Event with Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom
Cyril Ogar
The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Ola Awakan paid a courtesy visit to the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, Yaba as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration for cultural tourism development.
The delegation was received by His Royal Majesty, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeshina Adeniyi (Maforunyomi I), the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, Yaba; Olori Mosunmola Anike Adeniyi; the Bales of the kingdom; and members of the White Cap Chiefs. The visit commenced with a vibrant cultural procession by the revered Gelede Masquerades, showcasing the rich heritage of the community.
Addressing the Director-General, the monarch applauded him for honouring the invitation and commended his efforts in leveraging his office to drive innovation within Nigeria’s tourism sector.
The monarch applauds the NTDA Boss for his initiatives towards repositioning the country’s cultural heritage on a global stage.
Oba Adeniyi further expressed his interest in fostering a strategic partnership between the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom and the NTDA, emphasizing the community’s readiness to actively participate in ongoing efforts to develop and promote tourism across the country.
He highlighted key cultural assets within the kingdom, including the Gelede Masquerades; an important cultural symbol associated with fertility and childbirth; and two ancient iroko trees within the community, each over 250 years old.
In response, the DG appreciated the traditional ruler for the invitation, honour, and warm reception, stating that the visit was not only culturally enriching but also strategically important to the Authority’s mandate.
He continued by emphasizing the role traditional institutions play in advancing Nigeria’s tourism sector.
He stated that effective storytelling is essential to unlocking the value of cultural heritage, explaining that documenting and sharing the stories behind cultural elements such as the Gelede Masquerades and the ancient iroko trees would enhance their appeal to both local and international tourists.
The NTDA DG further proposed featuring Igbobi-Sabe’s tourism assets in the ongoing NITOUREY Project, the first-ever tourism dedicated streaming platform in Africa aimed towards showcasing Nigeria’s rich and vibrant tourism assets to the world.
The meeting proceeded with a guided tour of one of the iroko tree sites located in Abule Ijesa, Yaba, where the Director-General observed that the site holds significant potential for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
He encouraged the traditional ruler to work closely with the NTDA in developing initiatives that would revitalize the historic landmarks, positioning them as prominent symbols of Nigeria’s cultural tourism.
The Director-General received royal blessings from the Monatch who wished him wisdom and success in his tenure, while expressing confidence in his leadership and vision.
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