By Pathfinder Reporter
Thursday June 19, 2025
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The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Ewuare II, on Wednesday, received 119 Benin artifacts repatriated from the Netherlands in a historic cultural restoration ceremony held in Benin City, Edo State.
Speaking during the event, the monarch attributed the successful return of the artifacts to divine intervention, stating that a plot by international cartels to re-loot the treasures was thwarted after he prayed to God and the ancestors.
“I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and continuing the efforts initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that these artifacts were not re-looted. There were groups, believed to be part of an international cartel, conspiring to steal them again,” the monarch said.
Oba Ewuare II recounted the painful history of the 1897 British invasion, which led to the destruction of the Benin Kingdom, the looting of its royal treasures, and the killing of many of his people. He said the trauma of that era still lingers among the people of Benin.
“They stole and burnt our kingdom. They killed my people and tried to destroy their spirit and morale. The events of 1897 reduced the bravery of our people. But the return of these objects has reawakened that courage. We will not allow modern or partisan politics to suppress the identity of our people again,” he said.
The Oba criticized a former Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), accusing him of being part of a previous conspiracy to divert the artifacts. He, however, commended the current NCMM DG, Olugbile Holloway, for his commitment to the repatriation process.
“This throne is not partisan, but I must support what is good for my people. I told my chiefs in the Benin language that these artifacts belonged to my ancestors. I will not sit on this ancient throne and allow them to be re-looted. They would rather remain abroad than be stolen again,” the monarch declared.
He urged Nigerian youths to remain bold and strong in the face of modern adversity, stating that the artifacts are not just objects but symbols of resilience and the spirit of the Benin people.
“I vowed that such injustice will not happen again. Not during my reign,” he said.
The Director-General of the Wereld Museum in the Netherlands, Marieke Van Bommel, who led the Dutch delegation, confirmed that the 119 artifacts being returned were all the Benin items in their custody.
“The artifacts were looted, and we have a policy in the Netherlands to return them. We don’t have more. These are the only collections in our museums. Other artifacts in Europe are beyond our control,” she said.
Representing Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor assured that the state government would continue to build the necessary infrastructure to preserve the returned artifacts and work with the federal government to improve their storage and exhibition.
The NCMM DG, Olugbile Holloway, confirmed that discussions and diplomatic efforts are ongoing to retrieve more artifacts from institutions across Europe and North America.
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