Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called for the repatriation of artefacts and antiquities of Yoruba origin to be returned properly for cultural use.

Oba Ogunwusi made the statement on Thursday, while delivering at the Igbo Olokun heritage site, Ile-Ife, during the on-site exhibition and opening of the ancient Igbo Olokun Heritage site, where the famous Ori Olokun bronze head was said to have been discovered in 1910 and taken to the British Museum.

The monarch’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, disclosed that Oba Ogunwusi is working with some tertiary institutions, including Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to ensure that the artefacts are properly kept for cultural and economic use.

“It is good to request and celebrate the repatriation of these artefacts but the most important is for us to plug it appropriately, for cultural and economic use.” He stated

The Punch