There was excitement at the palace on Wednesday evening as the revered Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, received 119 stolen artefacts from the Netherlands.
Oba Ewuare II said plans by some international cartel to re-loot the artefacts were thwarted after he prayed to God and the ancestors.
According to him, “I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and committing to the efforts former President Buhari put in place to ensure the artefacts are not relooted because there were groups in this country believed to be an international cartel that had all sorts of conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts. They stole and burned out the Kingdom. They killed my people, their morale and tried to destroy their spirit.
“Today, I lament that the boldness, courage, and bravery of the people of the Benin Kingdom are still there. Events of 1897 reduced that to a significant level, so sometimes when I see my people, they fear the unknown.
“The return of these objects has reawakened our courage in our people. We do not want modern-day politics; we do not want partisan politics to diminish the courage of our people.
“The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments has been doing an excellent job. His predecessor was part of the conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts. We had a running battle in this hall. I addressed my Chiefs in Benin language and said these artefacts belong to my ancestors, and I will not sit on the ancient throne and watch the artefacts be relocated. They would rather remain where they are than be relocated. I thank the government of the Netherlands for working with us. This is part of the efforts to reawaken the morale and spirit of my people.
“After 1897, the kingdom was reduced. A government in this state wanted to reduce the kingdom and scatter it. I am angry when I speak about it. Why would anybody, as we have managed to retain, want to scatter it? The youths were courageous and liked the youths of those days.
“They were not afraid of anybody. I vowed that it would not happen. Not in my reign. Not while I am sitting on this throne. God heard my prayers, and my ancestors listened to my prayers. This throne is not partisan, but I should support what suits my people.
“I urge the youths to be tough and strong in adversity. This is not for anybody else. It is for my ancestors.”
The Benin Monarch further prayed with his official spectre, directing the return of more artefacts.
The NCMM DG, Olugbile Holloway, said the commission and the Benin Royal Palace were working hard to ensure the return of more artefacts.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by his Secretary to State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor, said his administration would continue to build the necessary infrastructure to preserve the returned artefacts and collaborate with the federal government to improve their storage system.
“They are treasured monuments and treasured sacred objects. You can see the way they came. They are fragile and precious. We will continue to collaborate to see that a safe space is created. We are supporting the palace to see that a befitting museum is in place to display these objects for tourists to boost the tourism sector.”
General Director of Wereld Museum, Marieke Van Bommel, spoke when 119 stolen Benin artefacts were returned to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
She said, “The artefacts are looted, and we have a policy in the Netherlands to bring them back. We are bringing back 119 artefacts. We don’t have more. These are the collections in the Netherlands. There are more collections in Europe, but that is not up to us. They have been with us for over 100 years.”
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