The United Kingdom has offered to assist Nigeria in retrieving the Ife Bronze Head, an antiquity stolen at National Museum, Jos in 1987 and found with a Belgian collector in London, about 30 years after.
The British Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, Mrs. Helen Whately, NP made the pledge yesterday in London when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid her a visit in her office.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Mohammed is in London to engage with international media and as well seek diplomatic way to resolve the issue of the stolen cultural object.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with his counterpart, Mohammed said they resolved to explore amicable resolution to the matter to avoid possible collateral damages among Nigeria, United Kingdom and Belgium.
“UK authority is ready to assist us, but they want further documentation as to the report made to UNESCO and they also want a closer study of the report we made to UNESCO over the matter.
“The three countries are before a mediation panel – Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to the Countries of Origin or Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation (ICPRCP)-.
“However, we think it is a matter that should be resolved working within the provision of the UNESCO Convention.
“It was, therefore, a cordial meeting and we are very hopeful that the UK will cooperate with us,” he said.