Randa Abdelfattah

Until 2016, after Ore and her peers began organizing for it to be taken out of the dining hall and returned to Nigeria.

Ore and her classmates had done their research, and the college had even gotten a letter from the Nigerian government formally requesting the return of the rooster statue.

Ore and her classmates had done their research, and the college had even gotten a letter from the Nigerian government formally requesting the return of the rooster statue.

Ore and her classmates had done their research, and the college had even gotten a letter from the Nigerian government formally requesting the return of the rooster statue.

But... nothing. And then, one day, sort of out of nowhere, the statue disappeared. But it wasn't clear what they were going to do with it. A spokesperson said at the time that the college and university would discuss and determine the best future for the Okoko, including the question of repatriation.

But... nothing. And then, one day, sort of out of nowhere, the statue disappeared. But it wasn't clear what they were going to do with it. A spokesperson said at the time that the college and university would discuss and determine the best future for the Okoko, including the question of repatriation.

But... nothing. And then, one day, sort of out of nowhere, the statue disappeared. But it wasn't clear what they were going to do with it. A spokesperson said at the time that the college and university would discuss and determine the best future for the Okoko, including the question of repatriation.

As for Ore and her peers, their hope started to wane.

As for Ore and her peers, their hope started to wane.

As for Ore and her peers, their hope started to wane.

So in the meantime, Ore went on with her life.

So in the meantime, Ore went on with her life.

So in the meantime, Ore went on with her life.

But then, in 2019… Jesus College decided to return the statue. And a few years after that, Ore gets an email.

But then, in 2019… Jesus College decided to return the statue. And a few years after that, Ore gets an email.

But then, in 2019… Jesus College decided to return the statue. And a few years after that, Ore gets an email.

All those years of fighting for the Benin Bronze to be returned to what Ore and her peers believed to be its rightful place was finally going to happen. It was going back to Nigeria.

All those years of fighting for the Benin Bronze to be returned to what Ore and her peers believed to be its rightful place was finally going to happen. It was going back to Nigeria.

All those years of fighting for the Benin Bronze to be returned to what Ore and her peers believed to be its rightful place was finally going to happen. It was going back to Nigeria.

This is the video from the ceremony of Jesus College formally handing over the Benin bronze. The head of the college, the director of Nigeria's Commission for National Museums, and the younger brother of the sitting Oba are all in attendance. And center stage on a white pedestal is the rooster statue.