Okpebholo gives Oba of Benin full ownership rights to returned artefacts

Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, has granted Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, full ownership rights to returned stolen artefacts.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Fred Itua, the chief press secretary (CPS), said the state government is revoking the concession of Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, which was used as a motor park by the last administration.

In his inaugural address on November 12, the governor said his administration will support traditional institutions and uphold the Oba of Benin as exclusive owner of returned “looted artefacts from the Benin massacre of 1897 by British colonial forces”.

Okpebholo also restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now abolished councils be maintained.

The spokesperson said the decisions were in line with the governor’s move to further right the wrongs of the immediate-past administration and foster cordial relations between the government and the people.

Itua added that Okpebholo administration is restoring the centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose.

“This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration,” the statement reads.

“Governor Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and has ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now abolished councils be maintained.

“The Okpebholo administration is backing the initial plan of the State Government to build the Benin Royal Museum that will house the returned artefacts and is distancing itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA) which the previous administration fronted.

“The Federal Government had issued a Gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. This was done through a Government Notice No.25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110.

“Governor Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll and pledges the support of his administration to ensure the Monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.

“It is in recognition of this that the administration of Governor Okpebholo shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned Benin artifacts that were looted by the British Colonial forces during the Benin masaca of 1897.

“The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people and my administration respects customs and traditions in the land and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin as the true custodian of the returned Benin artefacts

“Governor Okpebholo said his administration is committed and will refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council

“The Governor is using his constitutional powers and the respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin to restore all other Statutory Rights of the Monarch not mentioned hereof.”

BACKGROUND

In 2021, TheCable reported that the German government said it would return the 1,130 looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria in 2022.

In 1897, the Benin kingdom, which was well-known for its rich cultural heritage and artefacts, was invaded by British soldiers, in what is now known as the Benin invasion of 1897.

Thousands of bronze castings and other cultural artefacts were destroyed while some were carted away.

Ewuare II had asked the federal government to take custody of the stolen artefacts after they were repatriated.

Oba of Benin had said the stolen bronzes are not the property of the Edo state government but that of the Benin kingdom.

The Benin monarch said the “only legitimate destination for the artefacts” is under the Benin royal museum which will be sited within the vicinity of the Oba of Benin’s palace.

The federal government had disclosed that Monica Grutters, German minister of state for culture, said the country is ready to make a “substantial return” of the 1,130 looted artefacts from the beginning of 2022.

Godwin Obaseki, the then governor of Edo, was quoted to have said that it has concluded arrangement with the royal palace and federal government on the return of the bronzes.

He added that “transformational museum is to be built in Benin City, to house the artefacts upon their return, as part of a new cultural district in the city.”