The British Government has officially recognized its historical involvement in the slave trade in Africa, particularly acknowledging the transgressions committed during the colonial era.
This admission comes in response to a letter from Mr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, addressed to Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District.
Senator Nwoko had penned a letter on September 19, 2023, demanding an apology and reparations for the grave injustices inflicted on Africans through centuries of slavery and colonial exploitation. The lawmaker emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive reparations framework to assess the damages caused by the prolonged period of slave trade and colonialism.
“I urge the repatriation of culturally significant artifacts that were taken from the African continent during the colonial era.
“In recent years, there have been instances of selective return of stolen artifacts to the Benin Kingdom, but what justice demands is wholesome restoration of these items to the people and places they were forcefully and illegally removed,” Nwoko said in the letter.
In a response letter dated December 11, High Commissioner Montgomery conveyed the British government’s acknowledgment of historical wrongs and its commitment to addressing this shared history with honesty and openness. Rather than solely focusing on reparations, the UK government highlighted its belief in the importance of ensuring that current and future generations learn essential lessons from history.
Montgomery further expressed the need for continued collaboration between the two nations to tackle contemporary challenges. He underscored the optimism and potential for a strengthened relationship based on mutual respect as Nigeria progresses in its economic development and exerts a positive influence on the international stage.
Moreover, the letter outlined the UK’s aspirations to broaden and strengthen bilateral partnerships with Nigeria.
These partnerships would extend across various domains, including security, defense, climate change, and trade and investment. The British government emphasized its commitment to fostering enhanced trade and investment collaborations for the mutual benefit of both nations.
“The UK has also been and remains one of the largest providers of official development assistance both globally and in Nigeria. This stands alongside our renowned diaspora and people-to-people links.
“I hope you will join me in looking ahead with excitement to the strengthening of our bilateral relationship,” the High Commissioner added.
Montgomery acknowledged that the issues raised by the lawmaker were important as they pertain to Britain’s colonial past in Nigeria and around the world.
“I wish to assure you that these issues are given due consideration by both the British High Commission in Abuja and by His Majesty’s Government in the UK.
“As High Commissioner to Nigeria I am committed to addressing our shared history with honesty and openness, honouring the strength and breadth of our partnership.
“We acknowledge the role Britain played centuries ago in enabling the horrific slave trade, including in what became Nigeria, whilst also noting that Britain led the world in ending it.
“Since that time, through Nigeria’s colonial period and via the peaceful transition to national independence in 1960, close ties between the UK and Nigeria have enabled mutual understanding and a shared respect for our partnership.
“This does not change the past, and I welcome your engagement across challenging issues in our shared history,” he added. (NAN)