By Milton Tella – The repatriations of several of Nigeria’s looted artefacts as a result of the cultural diplomacy propelled by His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK since his resumption of duty, has began to yield results as one of the British institutions, Jesus College, University of Cambridge, is leading the way in the return of Benin bronze ‘Okukor’.
The students of Jesus College first championed the call for the return of Okukor, as the presence of the artefact is a reminder of the horrific histories of slavery and colonial violence.
During the restitution ceremony at Cambridge University Hall on Wednesday, 27 October 2021, Dr Veronique Mottier, a fellow and director of studies at Jesus College Cambridge, traced the historical, legal and moral status of the ownership of the Benin bronze, ‘Okukor’.
Dr Mottier said, “I will just briefly highlight two of our findings: firstly, we found that the College’s historic papers explicitly recorded in 1905 that this institution – I am quoting: ‘agreed gratefully to accept’ this bronze figure, which formed part of the spoil captured at Benin’. After the person who gifted the bronze to the College died, at least 128 other artefacts from Benin that were in his possession were sold in 1930; the catalogue of the auction states and here I am quoting again that these ‘highly important bronzes, ivory and wood carvings from the walled city of Benin were removed by himself, after the capture of the city in 1897’. In other words, these documents showed that the College accepted and kept the bronze in the full knowledge of the conditions of its journey to Cambridge.”
Dr Veronique Mottier paid tribute to the courageous leadership of Sonita Alleyne, Master of Jesus College who oversaw the decision making process over the bronze in the very first week of her Mastership at Jesus. Dr. Mottier said, “I think I can speak for the entire Legacy of Slavery Working Party (LSWP) when I say that this is a moment of mixed emotions: we are all thrilled at seeing this day arrive, when the bronze is finally returning home. But we are also painfully aware of having deprived its rightful owners for so long of its presence, and offer our heartfelt apologies for this historic wrong.”
Prof. Chris Imafidon, a UK based indigene from Benin Kingdom, in his emotional laden speech said, “Oba Akenzua II’s son, (Prince Solomon Akenzua) coincidentally studied at this same Cambridge University several years ago. Long live the Oba of Benin. Today is more than just a ceremony, it is more symbolic, more significant and bigger than all of us here, it goes back many centuries. It fills me with great joy and emotions to stand here today to witness ‘Okukor’ the bird flying home. We always say that the cock, no matter how far away it flies, it will always come back to its origin.”
He saluted Sonita Alleyne, the master of Jesus College, for the leadership shown in the return of the stolen artefacts, which he said would be acknowledged not only by this generation but also by those yet unborn.
His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Isola, led a high-powered delegation from the Benin Kingdom headed by His Royal Highness Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, Prince Isa Bayero, Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan SAN, the Obasuyi of Benin and Professor Isa Tijani, the Director General of the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments to Cambridge University to receive ‘Okukor’ back to Nigeria, the rightful owners.
Sonita Alleyne, the master of Jesus College in her final parting words to Okukor said, “May your journey be successful. We have had Okukor with us since 1905, we are delighted that Okukor is now with its rightful owners. She said, “In Nigeria or in Benin City, a ten year old boy or girl will be able to gaze upon it and feel proud of their heritage. The right to see their own heritage in their own land is incontestable. It has been a historic occasion. My final words are, it is done.”
While receiving Okukor on behalf of Nigeria, Ambassador Isola expressed gratitude to Jesus College and the Cambridge community for the initiative to return the artefact.
The Ambassador Sarafa Isola said, “The President, Muhammadu Buhari, Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria GCFR, appreciates the wonderful initiative taken by the Cambridge community.
Mr President is committed to the retrieval of all the artefacts outside Nigeria and for Cambridge to have set the pace, just confirms the tradition of Cambridge to be the pacesetter all over the world.”
He solicited for the collaboration of Cambridge University to assist in the retrieval of other artefacts in the UK. He said, “I was at the British Museum to present the case for repatriation, even before the delegation from the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments came. I was told what is required is a Parliamentarian lobby. I know that Cambridge University has the resources to support us on this matter. The people of Nigeria are grateful and the people of Benin are also more grateful.”
After signing the legal handover documents, the Ambassador Sarafa Isola, on behalf of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, handed over, the bronze to Prince Aghatise Erediauwa representative of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, for safekeeping and in fulfilment of the desire of President Buhari that all the artefacts should be returned to where they belong.
In appreciation of the goodwill gesture from Jesus College, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa presented what he described as one of the limited editions of the ‘Red Book’, an anthology of the monarch of the Benin Kingdom. He said, Research students would find it as a very valuable material.
Nuradeen Aliyu-Biu, Minister of Information, Culture and Sports who was on the delegation with the Ambassador to Cambridge University said, “Today is indeed a historic day for Nigeria and tomorrow another delegation led by His Excellency, Ambassador Sani Suleiman, the deputy Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, will be at the University of Aberdeen’s museum to receive another of the looted Benin artefacts, the sculpture of an Oba’s head.”
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