Ola Akinwunmi
A wave of jubilation swept through the Benin Kingdom on Wednesday as His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, officially received 119 priceless artefacts that were plundered during the infamous 1897 British punitive expedition and subsequently held in the Netherlands.
The momentous return, hailed as a reawakening of the Benin spirit, was marked by the Oba’s heartfelt gratitude and a powerful testimony of divine intervention against alleged attempts to “re-loot” the treasures.
The historic handover ceremony saw Oba Ewuare II express profound thanks to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment, building upon the efforts of former President Buhari, to ensure the artefacts’ safe return and prevent them from falling into the hands of an “international cartel.”
“I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and committing to the efforts former President Buhari put in place to ensure the artifacts are not re-looted because there were groups in this country believed to be an international cartel that had all sorts of conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts,” the Oba stated, his voice resonating with both joy and a hint of past struggles.
The monarch vividly recalled the harrowing events of 1897, when the British looted and burnt the Kingdom, killed its people, and attempted to break their spirit. He emphasized that the return of these objects signifies a powerful resurgence of the courage and bravery that define the Benin people. “The return of these objects has reawakened the courage we had in our people,” he declared, urging against allowing modern-day politics to diminish this renewed spirit.
Oba Ewuare II also lauded the current Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway, for his “wonderful work” in facilitating the return. In a striking revelation, he accused Holloway’s predecessor of being “part of the conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts,” recalling a “running battle in this hall” where he firmly asserted the ancestral ownership of the artefacts. “They would rather remain where they are than be re-looted,” he had vowed.
Attributing the thwarting of these alleged schemes to divine intervention, the Oba stated, “God heard my prayers. My ancestors heard my prayers. This throne is not partisan, but I should support what is good for my people.” He further urged the youth of the kingdom to be “tough and strong in the face of adversity,” reminding them that this fight is for their ancestors and their heritage.
Marieke Van Bommel, the General Director of the Wereld Museum in the Netherlands, confirmed the repatriation, stating, “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.” She acknowledged that more collections exist in other European nations, but their return is beyond the scope of the Wereld Museum’s authority.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor, reaffirmed the state administration’s commitment to building the necessary infrastructure for preserving the returned artefacts and collaborating with the federal government to enhance their storage system.
NCMM DG Olugbile Holloway assured the public that the commission and the Benin Royal Palace are actively working to ensure the return of even more stolen artefacts, further solidifying the cultural and historical restoration of the Benin Kingdom.
The return of these 119 artefacts marks a significant victory in the ongoing global movement for the restitution of looted cultural heritage, offering a powerful testament to the resilience of the Benin people and the growing international recognition of historical injustices.
