The Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy has said the Middle Eastern country has identified 76 wooden and metal artefacts believed to belong to Africa’s most populous country.
According to a statement, Poroy spoke in Abuja Thursday during a courtesy visit to Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture, tourism and creative economy.
“Our minister of culture and tourism has identified 76 wooden and metal objects that they think might belong to Nigeria. We received information about these artefacts last May, and we are eager to see them returned to Nigeria,” Poroy was quoted as saying.
The envoy said discussions for the artefacts’ return will commence immediately the Nigerian government officially identifies and claims their ownership.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to visit Turkey next week for a state trip. Ahead of his visit, the president appointed Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi, as ambassador-designate to Turkey.
“We hope to sign a cultural cooperation agreement during the upcoming visit of Nigeria’s president to Turkey. We are committed to promoting cultural understanding and cooperation between our nations,” Poroy said of Tinubu’s trip.
According to the statement, the envoy also discussed plans to establish a Turkish cultural centre in Nigeria to promote traditional arts and educate young Nigerian women.
Musawa stressed the importance of finalising the cultural cooperation agreement, highlighting Nigeria’s interest in collaborating with Turkey on film industry projects, cultural exchanges, and empowering women in fashion.
She also noted the potential for a Turkey-Nigeria partnership to promote cultural understanding and economic growth.
“This is a golden opportunity for both countries to strengthen cultural diplomacy. Nigeria is the gateway to talking to the black global community, purely because of our numbers and strength of expression,” Musawa said.
The minister urged officials to expedite the process of finalising the cultural cooperation agreement between both countries.
