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Netherlands To Return 119 Benin Bronzes To Nigeria

Published

6 months ago

February 19, 2025

The Netherlands has agreed to return 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, according to a statement released by the embassy on Tuesday.

The Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Eppo Bruins, and the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, will sign the transfer agreement on Wednesday (today).

The statement noted that the artefacts, which include items from the Dutch State Collection and the Municipality of Rotterdam, are expected to arrive in Nigeria later this year.

“The artefacts are expected to arrive in Nigeria later this year,” the statement read.

Bruins emphasised that the return of the Benin Bronzes was a move toward rectifying historical wrongs, acknowledging Nigeria’s long-standing efforts to reclaim its cultural heritage.

He expressed his admiration for Nigeria’s leadership in the fight to recover colonial-era looted art. The restitution, he noted, was a reminder of the importance of cultural heritage in understanding a nation’s history.

“The restitution contributes to redressing a historical injustice that is still being felt today.

“We congratulate Nigeria for being at the forefront of efforts to reclaim colonial looted art. For over fifty years, Nigeria has advocated for the return of the Benin Bronzes. This restitution is a testament to the enduring strength of our partnership with Nigeria,” he stated.

The minister, who spoke at the signing ceremony held at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden, the Netherlands, said, “Cultural heritage is essential for telling and living the history of a country and a community.

“The Benin Bronzes are indispensable to Nigeria. It is good that they are going back.”

Holloway also celebrated the return as a historic achievement, noting that these 119 objects represent the most extensive return of artefacts directly linked to the British punitive expedition of 1897.

Holloway thanked the Netherlands for its cooperation and expressed hope that this would encourage other nations to follow suit in returning looted antiquities.

“The return of 119 objects from the Netherlands will represent the most extensive return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition.

“We thank the Netherlands for their cooperation and hope this will set a good example for other nations of the world in terms of repatriation of lost or looted antiquities,” he remarked.

The Netherlands’ action followed similar moves by other countries, such as Germany and the United States, which have also returned Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in recent years.

Germany returned 1,030 Benin Bronzes in 2022, while the United States saw three museums return 31 items in the same year. The Horniman Museum in London also returned 72 pieces to Nigeria.

However, the British Museum, which holds the largest collection of Benin Bronzes, has so far refused to return them, citing legal restrictions.

The return of the artefacts raises important questions about where they should be housed. The issue has sparked debate in Nigeria, with former Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki and Oba Ewuare II of Benin having differing opinions on whether the artefacts should be kept in the Benin Royal Museum or the Edo Museum of West African Arts.

In 2023, the Federal Government officially recognised the Oba of Benin as the rightful custodian of the artefacts.

Related Topics:Benin Artefacts Benin Bronze

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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

10 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

10 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

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Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

11 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.