Oba Ewuare II Receives Stolen Benin Artefacts

Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba N'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, on Saturday, received two artefacts from Germany via the National Commission for Museum and Monument, NCMM. 

The return of the prized item evoked nostalgia in the monarch as he took some exalted traditional dance steps, apparently overjoyed at the sight of the artefacts that were looted with others during the invasion of the great Bini Empire.

The returned artefacts, a wooden and bronze stools, said to have been used by Oba Esigie and Oba Eresonye between the 15th and 17th centuries, were handed over to the monarch by the Director-General of NCMM, Mr Olugbile Holloway.

It would be recalled that the NCMM received the artefacts from German authorities, on behalf of the Federal Government in 2022. While handing over the artefacts, Holloway assured the monarch that NCMM will work closely with the Benin Royal Court in uplifting and displaying Edo heritage.

“NCMM will join hands with the Royal Court to create a befitting destination for people around the world to come and appreciate these works.

“What you see before us were originally taken away from the Royal family in 1897.

“We have a stool made of Bronze and a wooden stool. 

“I speak for every member of my team, to say that we remain loyal to the Royal Court. And if there is anything we can do, we will do to support this laudable initiative.

“This heritage is not just Benin heritage, but Nigeria’s heritage.

“When we speak of Benin heritage, there is nobody that doesn’t know the great works of ours.” 

An apparently excited Oba Ewuare, danced to the admiration of all present, including excited chiefs and members of the royal family.

While offering prayers to almighty God and his ancestors, the monarch appreciated the German government and the federal government and the NCMM leadership for their efforts in returning the artefacts safely to their root.

Meanwhile, Sweden is also expected to return a number of artefacts belonging to the Bini kingdom. The intention was conveyed to the monarch by the Swedish Ambassador, Her Excellency Annika Hahn-Englund, during a courtesy visit