Mexican Authorities Return Ancient Yoruba Sculpture To Nigeria

Customs authorities seized a bronze Yoruba sculpture at Mexico City airport that was intended to be delivered by post, and was returned to Nigeria, the country of origin.

Mexican Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Julian Ventura delivered the piece to Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico Aminu Iyawa, and stressed that its immediate detection and authentication, and diplomatic efforts allowed that the sculpture returned to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The piece, from the Yoruba city of Ife, whose foundation dates back to the first millennium of our era, was delivered at a ceremony held at the headquarters of Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretariat.

Deputy Secretary Julian Ventura said that Mexico and Nigeria are multiethnic and multilingual nations, therefore, they are committed to the fight against theft, robbery and looting of cultural property.

On the other hand, Aminu Iyawa said that the return of this piece to his people, beyond a gesture of friendship, is an action that joins to the global call to return the heritage legacy that was once plundered to their countries of origin, many of them with a colonialist past like Nigeria and Mexico.

Culled from: Plenglish