Out of the 90% of Africa’s plundered antiquities housed in the Horniman Museum, a collection of 72 priceless artifacts belonged to Benin City, that was looted to London Museum in 1897.
The South-East London Museum has commenced the first batch repatriation of plundered Africa’s antiquities.
The Director General of Nigeria National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) Abba Tijani has received some of the returned artefacts, which includes two Benin Bronze plaques from the British royal palace.
Meanwhile Nick Merriman, the chief executive of Horniman Museum and Gardens, has informed that the remaining artifacts in Britain’s custody will be on loan basis, pending the second phase of the repatriation process.
Nick Merriman, who said the Horniman had been an ‘excellent example’ of leadership, when questioned by journalists,
Said,
“Journalists who ask me about the Benin bronze return always want to ask me about the British Museum. I would rather talk about what an excellent example the Horniman is rather than answer questions about the British Museum.”
