France holds dialogue on restitution of African Cultural Heritage

France is moving towards restituting stolen Nigerian artefacts as it had set the stage for a public dialogue in Benin.

The dialogue titled: “What are the next steps for the restitution of African Cultural Heritage?” which will be holding in the ancient city, next Tuesday, at the Protea Hotel is organized by the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA).

A statement by the French Embassy on Friday said expected at the dialogue were interested stakeholders and citizens of Benin City who would participate in a conversation about the next steps of the restitution of African cultural Heritage and how to improve patrimonial cooperation between Nigeria and France.

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The statement said together Arch. Giles Omezi, architect, urban researcher and practitioner, and Dr Vincent Hiribarren, Director of the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA) in Nigeria, would moderate the panel discussion involving key figures of African history, arts and culture.

The dialogue from the Benin meeting will assist to shape the New Africa-France Summit which will take place in Montpellier in July 2021.

According to the statement the Montpellier Summit will be “a unique opportunity for youths from all over Africa to exchange with the French President Emmanuel

Macron, without taboo, about topics engaging France and Africa together such as Climate Change, Innovation, Health, Restitution of cultural Heritage and Contemporary Creativity.”

It however stated that due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Benin event has a limited number of places, but for those who cannot physically attend the dialogue, a Live video of the event will be shared on Facebook and Youtube.

Members of the panel discussion include:

Arch. Giles Omezi, architect, urban researcher and practitioner. – Dr Vincent Hiribarren, Director of IFRA-Nigeria;

Enotie Ogbebor, artist with an in-depth knowledge of Benin culture, history, and tradition.