President Bola Tinubu says the federal government will build a befitting museum for Benin artefacts returned to the country from different parts of the world.
Tinubu spoke on Friday when he received Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, and other traditional leaders at the state house.
According to a statement by Dele Alake, special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy, Tinubu assured the monarch that his administration would support the Benin royal council in its bid to establish a museum that will house the artefacts.
Tinubu also congratulated the monarch for the retrieval of the stolen artefacts.
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“It deserves our protection. We are glad to have them back, and we are glad you are happy. They are in protective custody. It is a matter of history, over a hundred years. We will work on the museum,” Alake quoted Tinubu as saying.
The president said he will ensure that roads in Edo state are considered in line with a request made by the traditional ruler.
While speaking, Oba Ewuare II commended Tinubu for the giant strides of his administration within the short days in office.
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“We’ve predicted that you would hit the ground running and you have done so, even faster than we thought,” the monarch said.
He said the steps taken by Tinubu since his inauguration had renewed the hope of Nigerians and put the country on the path to progress and development.
In October 2022, TheCable reported how the federal government recovered 31 Benin bronzes from three museums in the United States 125 years after they were stolen.
Out of the 31 artefacts, 29 were returned by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art while one was recovered from the National Gallery of Art, and another from the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.
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Nearly one month later, Horniman Museum, based in south-east London — United Kingdom, handed over 72 artefacts forcefully taken from Benin in 1897 to the Nigerian government.
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