[LINK] "Nigeria plotting return of bronze cock as Cambridge students push for its repatriation"

[rfmcdonald]

Broadly speaking, I agree with the movement to return a looted Nigerian artwork as described in the National Post by Javier Espinoza's article, originally published in The Telegraph.

Nigerian officials have already made plans for the repatriation from Britain of the controversial bronze “Cambridge cockerel” and its return to a royal palace, documents reveal.

It is understood the Nigerian minister of culture has been closely following a push by students at Cambridge University’s Jesus College to repatriate the statue, which was looted by British forces in the 19th century.

Sources said keeping the statue in the royal palace of Benin in Nigeria would be “in line with current protocol,” after which it would be decided if it belongs in a museum.

Jesus College this week confirmed the statue, which has long held pride of place in the college’s dining hall, is to be taken down and a debate about its future will be held.

If it is decided that it should be repatriated, it would be taken to the Nigerian royal palace, the documents showed.