‘OUR ANCESTORS PROTECTED THEM’: OBA OF BENIN HAILS RETURN OF ARTEFACT AFTER 129 YEARS

The Netherlands has returned a looted Benin artefact to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, 129 years after the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom.

The Netherlands returns Benin artefact restitution marks another step in the long campaign to recover cultural treasures plundered during the British punitive expedition

THE RETURN

The artefact was officially received at the Benin royal palace in a symbolic ceremony attended by the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, and the Director-General of the Wereld Museum, Marieke van Bommel, who led a delegation from the Netherlands.

The return, according to the Oba, was made possible through sustained advocacy by the Benin Royal Court and formal diplomatic requests from the Nigerian Government.

Dutch authorities, through their Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, signed transfer agreements facilitated by Minister Eppo Bruins and Nigeria’s NCMM Director General.

THE OBA’S GRATITUDE

Oba Ewuare II expressed profound gratitude, thanking God Almighty, President Bola Tinubu and Governor Monday Okpebholo for ensuring the artefact was returned rather than diverted through illicit or political means.

“There were groups in this country, backed by an international cartel, who conspired to re-loot our artefacts. They hatched a strategy to steal these treasures again, but they failed. Our ancestors protected them,” the Oba declared.

“They tried to extinguish the spirit and morale of the Benin people. But the people of this great kingdom have remained bold, brave, and courageous, even after the tragedy of 1897”.

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THE WARNING

The monarch warned against modern political interests seeking to erode the cultural dignity of the Benin people.

“We must not allow partisan politics to diminish our heritage,” he said.

He commended NCMM DG Olugbile Holloway for his committed role in the repatriation process, while drawing a sharp contrast with Holloway’s predecessor, whom he accused of complicity in a failed re-looting attempt.

“We fought a running battle to stop those bent on re-looting. I told my chiefs right here that I would rather allow the artefacts to remain abroad than be re-looted while I sit on the throne,” the monarch revealed.

THE DUTCH POSITION

Marieke van Bommel, head of the Dutch delegation and Director-General of Wereld Museum, reiterated her country’s policy on repatriation of looted cultural heritage.

“These items were undoubtedly looted, and we have returned them in accordance with our cultural restitution policy. It is only right that they return to Benin City, their place of origin,” she said.

WHY IT MATTERS

The return of looted Benin artefacts is not merely a cultural gesture. It is an act of historical justice.

The Benin bronzes and other artefacts were taken during the British invasion of 1897, dispersed across museums and private collections in Europe and North America.

For over a century, Nigeria has sought their return. Each artefact that comes home is a piece of the kingdom’s soul restored. Each ceremony at the palace is a reminder that the legacy of 1897 is not forgotten.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the campaign for the return of all looted Benin artefacts continues.