The Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare ll, Ogidigan, Oba of Benin, Ogidigan, has warned against attempts by anyone or a group of persons to divert the stolen Benin artefacts proposed to be returned by some museums in Europe.
The OmoN’Oba reiterated that the Edo people would resist the move before it reaches a tipping point.
It would be recalled that following the contention between the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration and the Benin Palace over the custody of the artefacts, the monarch asked the Federal Government to temporarily take custody of the expected 1,130 stolen Benin artefacts in Germany after they are repatriated, pending the completion of the Benin Royal Museum where the works of arts would be housed.
On the other hand, Governor Obaseki had also proposed an Edo Museum of West Africa Arts, EMOWAA, as the destination for the proposed returned artefacts, and had created a website for the Museum, arguing that the items would be housed in the museum and administered by a Board of Trustees to be headed by Mr Philip Ihenacho.
Oba Ewuare ll issued the warnings while playing host to members of the Benin Community in Abuja and the principal officers of the College of Education, Technical, Ekiadolor, Edo State, who paid him a courtesy visit.
The monarch also played host to leaders of the Edo United Union in Rome, Italy led by its President, Mr Edwin Omoregie.
Oba Ewuare II stressed that there was no controversy over the ownership or who should take possession of the repatriated Benin bronzes, which were produced on the mandate of his forebears in the Benin Kingdom centuries ago.
The traditional ruler who spoke in Benin Language, charged his loyal subjects and concerned authorities not to succumb to pressure from unnamed individuals who were treading on a lonely path to either divert or sell the priceless treasures for personal gains.
“We won’t lose our heritage. You remember our Benin artefacts that were looted during the invasion of Benin by foreigners. Some of them have agreed to return them. But, it should be returned to the Oba of Benin Palace.
“Edo people all over the world should not allow anyone to bamboozle them to give up their heritage to strangers. Benin artefacts were made by the famous Igun Bronze Casters’ Guild in Benin on orders of our forebears. The Palace gave them the enablement and approval to make them.
“Our artefacts will not go to another destination. It should come to the right destination, which is the Oba of Benin palace. Edo people should not allow them to be either diverted or sold. Edo people will not allow that to happen. Our ancestors do not approve of it.
“Advise your supporters and others to counsel those who are making such moves to retrace their steps. You should insist that the right thing is done at the right time for the benefit of the Edo people,” Oba Ewuare ll said while commending notable Nigerians that had taken up the agitation for the return of the artworks.
Addressing the Benin throne, the President of Benin Community in Abuja, Mr Lucky Odigie, commended the peaceful reign of Oba Ewuare ll and his proclamations that led to the abolition of Community Development Associations (CDAs), which he noted had curbed social vices in the society, particularly prostitution and human trafficking.
On his part, the Provost, College of Education, Technical, Ekiadolor, Dr Emmanuel Asagha, gave a brief history of the colleges and the process of the smooth take-off of the institution.
He, therefore, sued for Oba Ewuare ll’s support towards the attainment of the set goals in the tertiary institution.
The Benin artefacts were carted away by the British imperialist army, which invaded the Benin Kingdom in 1897 during the reign of Oba Ovonranmwen Nogbaisi, in the episode historians refer to as the Benin Massacre of 1897.
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