Oba of Benin takes possession of two British looted artefacts

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II Saturday, took physical possession of two artefact: the Cockerel and Bronze Burst.
The two artworks were part of the thousands carted away by British soldiers during the invasion of the Benin Empire in 1897.
President Muhammadu Buhari, presented the artifacts to Oba Ewuare, through the Nigeria High Commission to United Kingdom, Mr. Sarafa Isola
The highly elated Oba while receiving the artworks, described the return as the  beginning of the restitution of the  artifacts that were looted in1897 during the military expedition by the British in Benin Kingdom.
The Oba who spoke through Prince Aghatise Erediauwa said “For us, our bronzes transcend mere art. They are mostly of religious significance to us and these two bronze pieces will return to where they rightlybelong”.
“I wil reiterate that the bronzes and other works that were looted from the Palace  must be retumed back here directy or through theagency of the Federal Govermment”
Oba Ewuare II expressee appreciation to the President Bihari for his president for express directive that the two bronzes be handed to him directly.
He also commended both Jesus College of Cambridge University and the University of Aberdeen for their pace-setting initiative in returning these two bronzes.
On his part, Ambassador Sarafa Isola, said history is being made as the artifacts are being returned to right the wrong of the past.
“My assignment here is to directly bring these objects to the Oba of Benin Kingdom. That is the presidential directive”
“”Value has been added to these artefacts.  I am not aware of the value as at when it was taken away but as at today, the Cockerel is valued at £2million while the Oba’s head is valued and insured for £500,000 pounds. We will still see many of them come back and it is a great treasure for Benin kingdom and Nigeria”, he declared.
The ambassador commended the British government for granting export licenses for the artefacts at no cost to Nigeria, hoping that more of the looted artworks would be returned. 
Also speaking, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki represented by his Chief of Staff, Monday Osaigbovo, pledged to support the palace in the return of the artifacts, saying that any institution willing to return the artifacts should liase with the palace .
On his part earlier, the Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Prof Abba Isa Tijani, siad history has started taken it’s proper shape during the reign of Oba Ewuare, as the looted  artifacts have started coming to their place of origin.
He noted that the artefacts are living arts, of the Benin people; not produced for the sake of money and aesthetics but part of their history, culture and daily life.