From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has disclosed how an international cartel plotted to re-loot 119 stolen artefacts returned from the Netherlands.
The Benin Monarch, who spoke while receiving the artefacts in his palace in Benin City, explained that the plot failed after he prayed to God and his ancestors.
“I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and committing to the efforts former President Buhari put in place to ensure the artefacts are not re-looted because there were groups in this country, believed to be an international cartel, that had all sorts of conspiracies to re-loot our artefacts.
“They stole and burnt our Kingdom. They killed my people, their morale, and tried to kill their spirit and their morale. Today, I lament the fact that the people of Benin Kingdom, their boldness, courage, and bravery are still there. The events of 1897 reduced that to a significant level so that sometimes when I see my people, they are afraid of the unknown.
“The return of these objects has reawakened the courage we had in our people. We do not want modern-day politics, we do not want partisan politics to diminish the courage of our people.
“The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments has been doing commendable work. His predecessor was part of the conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts. We had a confrontation in this hall. I addressed my Chiefs in the Benin language, and I said these artefacts belong to my ancestors, and I will not sit on the ancient throne and watch the artefacts re-looted. They had better remain where they are than be re-looted. I thank the government of the Netherlands for working with us. This is part of the efforts to restore the morale of my people.
“After 1897, the Kingdom was diminished. There was a government in this state that sought to reduce the Kingdom further and scatter it. I am angry when I speak about it. Why would anybody, as we have strived to preserve, want to scatter it? The youths were courageous and reminiscent of the youths of those days. They were not afraid of anybody. I vowed that it will not happen. Not in my reign. Not while I am sitting on this throne. God heard my prayers, my ancestors heard my prayers. This throne is not partisan, but I should support what is good for my people.
“I urge the people to remain resilient in the face of adversity. This is for our ancestors,” the Oba stated.
He further prayed with his official sceptre, invoking the spirits to guide the return of more artefacts.
In his speech, the NCMM Director-General, Olugbile Holloway, said the Commission and the Benin Royal Palace were working hard to ensure more artefacts were returned.
On his part, Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa, said his administration would continue to build necessary infrastructure to preserve the returned artefacts as well as collaborate with the Federal Government to improve the storage system for the artefacts.
“They are treasured monuments and sacred objects. You can see the way they came. They are fragile and precious. We will continue to collaborate to see that a safe space is created. We are supporting the palace to see that a befitting museum is put in place to display these objects for tourists as a way of boosting the tourism sector,” he announced.
Also speaking, the General Director of Wereldmuseum, Netherlands, Marieke van Bommel, said: “The artefacts were looted, and we have a policy in the Netherlands to bring them back. We are bringing back 119 artefacts. We don’t have more.
“These are the collections in the Netherlands. There are more collections in Europe, but that is not up to us. They have been with us for over 100 years.”