Oba Of Benin Celebrates Return Of Artefacts Warns Against Fresh Looting

A new chapter in Nigeria’s cultural journey opened as the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, received 119 looted artefacts from the Netherlands, marking a major victory in the long-standing push to reclaim treasures stolen during the 1897 British invasion of Benin.

The artefacts, part of a collection plundered from the Benin Palace over a century ago, were returned by the Dutch government through the Wereldmuseum. During the symbolic handover, the Oba stood and danced on the throne, mirroring the joy his grandfather once expressed when a similar return was made. He offered prayers for more returns and thanked God, saying the day marked an answered prayer for the kingdom.

The journey to recover these artefacts has not been without resistance. The Oba revealed that a former official of the National Commission of Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and some individuals in the Edo State government had conspired to divert the returned items for personal gain. He said the move was part of an international plot to re-loot the artefacts under the guise of repatriation. He stressed that he would rather the items remain abroad than fall into the wrong hands again.

The monarch credited the eventual success to the integrity of the current NCMM leadership. He praised the Director-General, Olugbile Holloway, for maintaining transparency and pushing forward with the return process despite internal obstacles. Holloway, during the handover, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to retrieving more artefacts and ensuring their safe return to their traditional home.

The Oba also thanked the Nigerian youths who stood with the palace in resisting efforts to fragment the Benin Kingdom and its heritage. He described them as fearless, likening them to the legendary Aiguobasinmwin group, and urged them to continue standing firm for the culture and dignity of the people.

The monarch also revealed the many struggles faced by the palace in its fight to defend the artefacts and preserve Benin’s legacy. He said government funding to the palace was at one point slashed to the point where the palace grounds became overgrown due to a lack of maintenance funds. Despite the financial strain and political interference, the Oba remained resolute in his mission to uphold the integrity of the kingdom.

He recounted how a former governor erected a building on sacred ground opposite the palace to spite his grandfather. That structure has since been recovered by the palace, a victory the Oba said symbolizes the resilience of the kingdom and its people.

The returned artefacts are set to be preserved according to traditional practices. Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by Secretary to the State Government Musa Ikhilor, assured the palace of state support. He said the government will work with the Federal Government and the palace to build the infrastructure needed for proper storage and display. Plans are already underway to establish a modern museum that would showcase these sacred works and attract tourists to Edo State.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Wereldmuseum, Marieke Van Bommel, stated that the 119 artefacts represent the full collection previously held by her museum. She expressed hope that other European institutions would follow the Netherlands’ example in returning their holdings to Benin.

The Oba emphasized that the return of the artefacts is not just about recovering objects but restoring the soul of a kingdom long battered by colonial exploitation and modern neglect. He said the items hold sacred and historical value and serve as a source of pride, inspiration, and identity for the Benin people.

As more countries begin to reckon with the legacies of colonialism, the Benin Kingdom’s fight is serving as a rallying point for cultural justice. The Oba called on other holders of Benin artefacts around the world to return them, declaring that the kingdom would welcome them back with open arms, not only as objects of beauty but as symbols of history and healing.