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A terracotta figurative sculpture that was repatriated after it was intercepted in France while in transit from Togo to the United States in 2008 has been officially returned by French Government.
French Ambassador to Nigeria Denys Gauer officially presented the artifact to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at a ceremony to mark the 2016 International Museum Day in Abuja on Wednesday.
“I will like to thank the French Ambassador specially for his country’s show of support in our fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods and their untiring efforts at restitution and return of such items. I wish to recommend this ‘French Model’ to other countries,” said the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed
He thanked the French Government for demonstrating the will to fight illegal trafficking of cultural artifacts and urged other countries to emulate France.
In his remarks, the French Ambassador said the presentation of the Nok Terracotta was in line with the International Law and within the framework of the 1970 UNESCO Convention aimed at preventing the illicit import and export of ownership of cultural properties, which was ratified by both France and Nigeria.
He said the gesture was an illustration of the French policy to fight illegal trade in cultural goods.
Ambassador Gauer said the artifact was intercepted in France as it was being taken to the United States on Oct. 22nd, 2008.
The Nok culture appeared in Nigeria around 1000 B.C. and later vanished under unknown circumstances around 500 AD. It is the earliest producer of life-sized Terracotta in sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: The Guardian
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