Naija Protesters Crash Opening Of Big West African Art Museum

Protesters for Nigeria don disrupt di opening of one major West African art museum dis week, as local wahala over di world-famous Benin Bronzes don stop dem from being displayed. Video wey dey circulate online show say more than dozen youths rush di grounds of di multi-million-dollar Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) for Benin City on Sunday evening. Dem yarn say di museum opening dey violate di cultural heritage of Benin City, wey belong to di Oba of Benin, di traditional ruler. Di protesters dey chant support for di Oba, while guests including foreigners dem dey whisked away. No person hurt. Di museum official opening suppose hold Tuesday, but after di wahala, dem advise public make dem wait before dem visit till di matter clear.

Di museum no respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Nigeria federal government talk say dem dey monitor di situation for Benin City with “deep concern.” Di museum suppose house some Benin Bronzes wey British soldiers carry comot for 19th century and scatter worldwide. Nigeria don dey call for dem return for decades, and Netherlands don return 119 bronzes in June, di biggest repatriation so far. Law signed by former President Buhari talk say di Oba of Benin dey custodian of di artifacts. After dispute with di Oba, plans to show di returned bronzes for museum don shelve. Di privately-owned MOWAA trust yarn say former state government wey patron di museum get “no financial or other interest” for di museum.