Benin Monarch Receives 119 Stolen Artefacts From Netherlands

By Towncriernews

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II has received 119 stolen artefacts from 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 artifacts 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 artifacts. They stole and burnt out Kingdom. They killed my people, their morale and try to kill their spirit and their morale. Today, I lament the fact that the people of Benin Kingdom, the boldness, courage and bravity is still there. Events of 1897 reduced that to significant level that Sometimes when I see my people, they are afraid of the unknown.

“The return of these objects has reawakened the courage we had 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 a wonderful work. His predecessor was part of the conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts. We had a running battle in this hall. I addressed my Chiefs in Benin language and I said these artifacts belongs to my ancestors and I will not sit on the ancient throne and watch the artifacts relooted. They rather remain where they are than being relooted. I thank the government of 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. There was a government in this state that wanted to reduce the kingdom more and scatter it. I am angry when I speak about it. Why would anybody as we have managed to retain wanted to scatter it. The youths were courageous and liked the youths of those days. They were not afraid of anybody. I vowed that it will not happen. Not in my reign. Not while I am sitting on this throne. God heard my prayers, my ancestors heard my prayers. This throne is not partisan but I should support what is good for my people.

“I urge the youths to be tough and strong in the face of adversity. This is not for anybody else. It is for my ancestors.”

The Benin Monarch further prayed with his official spectre directing the artefacts to return more artefacts.

The NCMM DG, Olugbile Holloway, said the commission and the Benin Royal Palace was working hard to ensure more artefacts were returned.

Governor Monday Okpebholo who was represented by his Secretary to State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor, said his administration would continue to build necessary infrastructure to preserve the returned artefacts as well as collaborate with the federal government to improve the storage system for the artefacts.

“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 sage space is created. We are supporting the palace to see that a befitting museum is put in place to display these objects for tourists as a way of boosting the tourism sector.”

General Director of Wereld Musuem, Marieke Van Bommel, spoke when 119 stolen Benin artefacts were returned to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

According to her, “The artefacts are looted and we have a policy in 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 over 100 years.”