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Slavery, Neo-colonialism: Senator Ned Nwoko Led Committee Set to Set the record Straight, correcting century-old historical and systemic injustices
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Senator Ned Munir Nwoko led Committee on Reparations and Repatriation is set to set the record Straight, correct century-old historical and systemic injustices by engaging all stakeholders and seek for appropriate compensations and redress. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
During a stakeholders interactive session on Historical and Systemic Injustices, Reparative Injustice and the Reparation of African Cultural, Human and Economy patrimony, held Thursday, 26th, June 2025 Chairman, Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko in his welcome address said the task of the committee include collaboration with both local and international experts across various fields and to collate credible evidence of wrong doings by individuals, states, corporations and others, past and present and make concrete recommendations for appropriate compensations and redress.
Senator Nwoko said, “The committee I have the privilege to chair was formally established by the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 17th of July, 2024 with a mandate as soon as it is historic to address the century-old injustices inflicted upon our people through slavery, colonisation, exploitation, systemic discrimination both historical and contemporary as a strategic engagement with you stakeholders today aims to foster dialogue share insight and forge practical corroborating advancing across the African continent. ”
“The work before us is neither symbolic nor ceremonial. It is structured, evidence base and far-reaching. Our committee is guided by specific terms of reference that reflects the weight of our responsibility; and it includes: to address historical and systemic injustices that have long dehumanise and marginalise various groups and communities within Nigeria and broader African diaspora. ”
“Two, to collate credible evidence of wrong doings by individuals, states, corporations and others; past and present and make concrete recommendations for appropriate compensations and redress. ”
“Three, to pursue the return of looted cultural artefact and heritage materials taken during colonial conquest or illicit trade including leveraging international legal frameworks and institutions to seek restitution and financial reparation where applicable. ”
“Four, to identify and interrogate historical injustice established logical framework and propose legal and policy template that are in alignment with national institutions and international corporations. This will include collaboration with both local and international experts across various fields, law, history, anthropology, economics, diplomacy. ”
“Five, to involve in holistic national and regional strategy that reflects the complex intersection of culture, justice and economic suitability and to interrogate and challenge ongoing neo-colonial structures and practices that sustain economic and institutional subjugation in Nigeria.”
“Let me emphasise, this mandate does not only matters to the culture and history. It extends to virtual all sectors of our institution, economic and judicial, education, resource control, infrastructure, restitution and inter-governmental equity. ”
“Our deliberation today is further invigorated by recent continental effort by the February 25, 2025 African Union which has reinforce to call for inter for reparative mechanism to provide not just economic compensation but healing, acknowledgement and empowerment. ”
“Affirming that reparation is no longer a free discuss; it is now set as Africa collective agenda for justice, reparation and transformation.”
“It is in this context that we engage all of you, your insights, your experiences, policies; perspectives are crucial reshaping what must be done on Africa common position, a unified voice that will deliberate in international chambers and court of justice.”
“Together, we must construct a strategy that is both morally grounded and diplomatically constructive.
“Permit me to clarify what more the core concept at the heart of our business is. Reparation refers to making amends for past, current, subsequent wrong doings through monitoring, policy shifts, symbolic gestures or institutional reforms. ”
“It is a redemptive process but also a moral imperative.”
“Repatriation on the order hand concerns the return of people, cultural, properties and financial asset to their place of origin.”
“It is as much about the historic identity and sovereignty as it is about furfural compensation.”
“These are not simple matters. They involve navigating legal activities, political sentiments and historical wills, yet we must approach them with courage, clarity and coordination.”, He continued.
