Dukes Hail FG, Oba Ewuare Over Benin Royal Museum Project

Dukes (Enigies) in Benin Kingdom have commended the joint efforts of federal government and His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, toward the Benin Royal Museum project, in line with the principle of common and shared responsibility.

At a meeting yesterday to review the progress so far, the Enogie of Iguogie Dukedom, HRH  Festus Osagiede, commended the level of progress made by stakeholders involved in the federal government-backed Benin Museum in Benin City, Edo State where the artefacts and Bronzes will be kept.

Osagiede thanked the federal government and Oba Ewuare II for their determination and unwavering support for approving the Benin Royal Museum where all the repatriated Benin artefacts and Bronzes from Europe and other parts of the world would be kept.

“We thank the federal government of Nigeria and the Oba of Benin for the great work that they are doing in the repatriation of the stolen Benin artefacts to the original place of origin. We are fully in support of the Benin Royal Museum”, he said.

On their part, the Enogie of Ukhiri Dukedom, HRH Aigbe Osayande and his counterpart at Obadan Dukedom, HRH Joseph Airhihenbuwa, pledged their loyalty to the Oba of Benin for being steadfast and prayed for continuous unity of Benin Kingdom.

The federal government in Notice No. 25 in the official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110 at pages A245-247, dated March 23, 2023 laid to rest, the steaming controversy over custody of the repatriated artefacts and Bronzes that were looted by foreign invaders from Oba of Benin Palace in Benin Kingdom – a territory in Edo State.