By Oluwaseun Sonde
All Progressive Congress APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu has reacted over the decision of British museum which was funded by the Government to return 72 treasured artefacts to Nigeria.
Tinubu on his social media platform on Monday congratulated Nigerians over the Horniman Museum's decision to return 72 treasured artefacts to their rightful home.
He said the Horniman will now forever be recognised as the first British government funded museum to return artefacts to Nigeria, while urging to follow. "I hope others, will soon follow".
The APC Presidential flagbearer hailed Nigerian Government for using diplomacy and deft handling of this sensitive matter.
Tinubu said: "Many of these artefacts bear deep historical and spiritual connections to the cultures from which they were taken, and repatriating them is a welcome step in restoring our heritage, pride and dignity".
While praising those involved in the negotiation, Asiwaju said Nigeria can begin to benefit from the tourism potential that having these artefacts back home could bring.
Meanwhile, report has it that Horniman Museum agreed to return Nigeria artefacts looted in 19th Century from the Kingdom of Benin.
The Museum said ownership of 72 objects would be transferred to the Nigerian government.
As the items include 12 brass plaques, known as Benin Bronzes, a brass cockerel and a key to the king's palace.
Following a request by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in January.
The museum, in south-east London, said it has consulted with community members, visitors, schoolchildren, academics, heritage professionals and artists based in Nigeria and the UK.
"All of their views on the future of the Benin objects were considered, alongside the provenance of the objects," the museum's Chairman said it was "moral and appropriate" to return them.
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