RECOVERING NIGERIA'S TERRACOTTA - Afrikanet.info

egulations. Some may argue that actions speak louder than words. Professor
Shyllon has written that:
“It is a matter of surprise indeed that to date Nigeria which at various
times served on the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of
Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of
Illicit Appropriation (she was in fact a foundation member of the Committee)
has never sought the good offices of the Committee on the matter.”(7)
The general public in the rest of the world may well conclude that the Nigerian
authorities are not very keen to seek the return of looted artefacts. Usually, it is
very difficult to know where looted objects are and who is in possession. It is
seldom that we have many such objects displayed in an exhibition and in its
catalogue. A lack of interest or passivity must necessarily discourage those
interested in assisting in more complicated situations. As has been amply
demonstrated in public opinions polls, for example in Great Britain, the general
public is in favour of returning looted objects or objects acquired under dubious
circumstances. (8) Interested States must encourage or at least, not discourage
this sympathetic public.
In his excellent article on the Benin invasion by Britain, Prof. Akin Oyebode
mentioned Zik’s reference to the “manifest destiny” of Nigeria. (9) This was a
phrase used often in the days preceding and following Independence. In those
days, the average school pupil understood that given its size, resources, both
human and natural, that great country was destined to play an important role on
our continent and thus contribute to shaping the world and the future of the
African peoples. But this manifest destiny would not be fulfilled if those in
charge of the administration and governance of the country do not create the
conditions propitious for the fulfilment of this potential. ‘Manifest destiny’ is a
potentiality and not inevitability. It is a potentiality that must be cultivated and
nurtured. How is Nigeria to play its role, manifest or otherwise, if its rich
cultural heritage is seen to be open to pray by all and no attempts are made to
convey the message that its cultural heritage is not up for grabs by predators A
great nation with a rich and old cultural heritage that does not care about
protection and preservation Failure to demonstrate a resolve to preserve
cultural heritage has wider implications. Not only does such a position lead to an
enormous loss of prestige but also to great financial losses in so far as these
objects are worth millions. It is also likely that failure or unwillingness to protect
cultural heritage may be considered a symptom of general failure to protect
national interests in other areas.
The will and resolve to protect Nigerian cultural heritage in particular and
Nigerian interests generally, must be emphasized and demonstrated in all cases
in order to imprint the message on the minds of all: Nigeria’s cultural heritage
belongs to Nigeria and it is intended to keep it that way.
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