Momoh Umar Momoh, Benin
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II has alleged that some groups in connivance with International Cartels and officials of governments have attempted to re-loot the return Benin bronzes.
The Benin monarch disclosed this on Friday evening while receiving the 119 pieces of repatriated looted artefacts from the Netherlands in Europe at his palace in Benin City.
The monarch, however, vowed that he would not sit on the throne of his ancestors and allowed the stolen artifact, due to be repatriated to the kingdom, to be re-looted.
Oba Ewuare II, however, thanked the Netherlands government, President Bola Tinubu, and his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, for their political will, intentionality, and the sincerity of purpose of the Netherlands government that led to the recovery of Benin artefacts, which he noted have a significant impact and cultural landscape abroad.
“I want to thank President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for supporting and committing to the effort of the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, in this quest to ensure that our artefacts are not re-looted.
“I thank the government of the Netherlands for working with us, for being touched in their hearts to return these treasured artefacts. This is part of the efforts to reawaken the morale and spirits of my people, and make them courageous again.
“I will not sit here on the ancient throne of my ancestors and let it be re-looted.
“You know the history of Benin, which is reduced to the Edo South Senatorial District and others. Then, there was a Government in Edo State that tried to reduce further. That Government wanted. But, God did not allow it.
“I believe there were groups in this Country-Nigeria that act with international Cartels with all sorts of conspirators against the return of Benin Bronzes.
“Today, the boldness, the courage of our Benin people are still there. We try to reawaken the courage.
“The head of a federal government agency was part of that conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts. Being trained in America, I tell you as it is. These artefacts belong to my Benin ancestors”, he said.
The monarch also thanked the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments for resisting attempts by a top former government official in the State who allegedly conspired with others to re-loot the Benin Bronzes for their personal gains.
It would be recalled that the development comes barely one year after the traditional ruler took custody of two other looted Bronzes, comprising two wooden royal stools (Ekete) made during the reign of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie in Benin from the German government.
The iconic heritage crafted by Edo people were recently returned from the Wereld Museum in Netherlands, including the displayed Bird (Ahianmwen), wooden ancestral head, warrior King, cock (Okpa) since the infamous 1897 expedition by the British Forces in Benin palace.
Earlier, the Netherlands delegation’s team lead, Marieke Van Bommel, noted that the return of the artifacts represented a historic moment that will further strengthen Diplomatic ties between the Netherlands and the Nigerian governments.
On his part, the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway, made the symbolic presentation of the artifacts to the Oba of Benin on behalf of the Nigerian government.
Holloway who recalled a brief history of the British expedition in Benin Palace, thanked the Netherlands government officials and Oba Ewuare for trusting the system with the Benin artefacts, vowing not to depose the confidence reposed in him by the monarch.
