Deeply conscious of the importance of Africa's cultural heritage, and of the strugsle for its preservation, we extend our support to the people of Ethiopia in their efforts to obtain the return of the ancient Aksum obelisk now in Rome.
We are aware that the Aksum obelisk was taken from Ethiopia in 1937 on the personal orders of the facist dictator Benito Mussolini.
We are no less aware that Italy in the Peace Treaty of 1947 with the United Nations asreed, in Article 37, to return, at its own expense, all articles looted from Ethiopia after October 3, 1935
The obelisk, as we all know, has not yet been returned in accordance with that international agreement: it stands in Rome today, as in Mussolini's day: and we sympathise with the Ethiopian people in their just demand for its return.
We believe that this beautiful and historic monument is important not only for Ethiopia, but for all Africa. It is a creation of the past in which all Africans can take pride.
We also seize this opportunity to appeaI to our British friends with whom Nigerians fought asainst Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia to persuade the appropriate authorities in Great Britain to restore to Nigeria the FESTAC Mask and similar works of art looted from Nigeria.
Long live Ethiopia-Nigeria relations
Long live Africa.
(Chief Segun Olusola, mni)
NIGERIA'S AMBASSADOR TO ETHIOPIA.
11 March, 1992.