Nigerian Senator Ned Nwoko, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriations, made this declaration during the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja. The committee has been tasked with a significant mandate: investigating historical injustices against Nigerian communities and individuals while recommending appropriate reparations.
Senator Nwoko emphasized the importance of inclusivity in achieving the committee’s goals. He revealed plans to collaborate with traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and international partners such as the United Nations and the African Union. Public hearings will also be held soon to engage stakeholders and define the committee’s roadmap.
Recent achievements:
- October 2022, 31 Benin Bronze artefacts from three U.S. museums, including 29 items from the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, one from the National Gallery of Art, and one from the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.
- November 2022, six artefacts, including two 16th-century bronze plaques taken from the royal palace in Benin City, from the Horniman Museum in London.
