By Charles Pemu BENIN CITY – In a monumental moment for cultural heritage reclamation, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has taken custody of 119 repatriated Benin artefacts from the Netherlands. This marks the largest single return of artefacts to the Benin Kingdom since the infamous British invasion of 1897.
The artefacts, which include a Bird (Ahianmwen), a wooden ancestral head, a warrior king figure, and a cock (Okpa), were symbolically presented to the Oba at his palace in Benin City by Mr. Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), on behalf of the Nigerian government.
While expressing profound gratitude to the Netherlands government, led by Marieke Van Bommel, the monarch also commended President Bola Tinubu for continuing the repatriation initiative championed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, in a startling revelation, Oba Ewuare II disclosed that there had been attempts by a former head of the NCMM and some influential figures within the Edo State Government to “re-loot” the returning artefacts, a scheme he stated was vehemently resisted.
“There were groups in Nigeria acting with international cartels and conspirators against the return of Benin Bronzes. A former head of NCMM was part of that conspiracy,” Oba Ewuare II asserted in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro. “These artefacts belong to my ancestors, and I will not allow them to be stolen again while I sit on this ancient throne.”
Marieke Van Bommel assured the Oba that no other Benin artefacts remain in Dutch possession, hailing the occasion as a historic milestone that would strengthen diplomatic ties. Governor Senator Monday Okoebholo of Edo State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Musa Ikhilor, pledged the state administration’s full support for the preservation and housing of the returned items.
This significant development, coming a year after the return of two wooden royal stools from Germany, represents a major stride in Nigeria’s ongoing global campaign to reclaim its looted cultural heritage.