Returned Benin Artefacts to Grace Oba Ewuare II’s 10th Coronation Anniversary

​Historic Display Awaits Public View

​BENIN CITY — Priceless Benin artefacts looted during the infamous 1897 British expedition are set to feature in a historic public exhibition as part of grand celebrations marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

​Announcing the lineup during a press briefing in Benin City, the Chairman of the Anniversary Organising Committee, Lucky Imasuen, revealed that the exhibition will be coordinated by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM). The showcase gives Nigerians a rare, direct opportunity to view masterworks gradually finding their way back to their ancestral home through sustained royal advocacy and federal directives.

​”Those artefacts that were stolen by the British invaders in 1897… are gradually making their way back home,” Imasuen stated, paying tribute to the diplomatic perseverance of the reigning monarch, his father, and grandfather.

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​Cultural Extravaganza and Star-Studded Concert

​The month-long festivities will spotlight pan-Nigerian unity, drawing vibrant cultural troupes from the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones. Performance groups spanning all 18 local government areas of Edo State, alongside contingents from Delta, Ondo, and Anambra states, will take center stage. Resident Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa communities are also lined up to display their heritage, highlighting the expansive traditional influence of the Benin throne.

​Festivities will further electrify the ancient city with a major musical concert featuring indigenous heavyweights. Popular local acts like Influence Akaba, Fabomo, and Young Bolivia will share the spotlight, with homegrown music star Shallipopi headlining the event to thrill crowds.