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Nigerian Government Receives Ife Terracotta Head, Others From Netherlands

The Nigerian government has received the repatriated Ife terracotta head and other artifacts from the Kingdom of Netherlands.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, took delivery of the artifacts on Thursday at an event in Abuja.

Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Harry Van Dijk, presented the valuable pieces of art to the minister on behalf of the government of the European country.

The terracotta head from Ile-Ife in Osun State, a unique and rare artifact, was intercepted by Dutch Customs at the Schiphol Airport in 2018.

The event was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, as well as Professor Abba Tijani.

Professor Tijani, who is the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, stated that the Ife terracotta head was said to be at least 600 years old.

Highlights of the event are captured in the pictures below:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Professor Abba Tijani, pose with the Ife terracotta head in Abuja on November 26, 2020. Photo: Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.

A man cut a carton containing the Ife terracotta head in Abuja on November 26, 2020. Photo: Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.

The Ife terracotta head which is believed to be at least 600 years old is received by Nigerian authorities in Abuja on November 26, 2020. Photo: Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, carries the Ife terracotta head in Abuja on November 26, 2020. Photo: Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.

Source: Channels TV