By Osahon Osahon
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday disclosed why the two Benin Artifacts repatriated from the United Kingdom are handed over to the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, and not Edo State Government.
Buhari made the disclosure at the place of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, during the handing over of the artifacts.
It would be recalled that the Benin Palace and the Edo State Government were at loggerheads over who take custody of the repatriated artifacts.
The palace had wanted the artifacts kept in the Benin Royal Museum, which will be built within the palace, while the state government wanted the items preserved in the proposed Edo Museum of West African Arts.
But Oba Ewuare II, at a world press conference at the palace on Friday, 9 July, 2021, said that there was no controversy over the issue, as an agreement had been reached that the artefacts would be housed in the royal museum.
However, a press release from the Government House also on the same date, quoted Governor Godwin Obaseki as saying in Germany that a “transformational” museum would be built in Benin to house the artefacts upon their return, as part of a new cultural district in the city.
But, explaining while the returned artefacts are delivered to the Benin Palace, President Buhari who was represented at the handing over event by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to United Kingdom Amb. Sarafa Tunde Isola, said before the artifacts were taken away from Benin Kingdom in 1897, their sovereignty was vested in Benin Kingdom under the leadership of the then Oba of Benin, Ovonramwen Nogbasi, hence they are being referred to as Benin bronze.
He added that sovereignty is now vested in the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria by the Constitution under President Buhari who now transferred them to the palace of the Oba of Benin.
Buhari who noted that the delivery of the repatriated artifacts to the Benin Kingdom signifies a breakthrough in the desire of Nigeria and Africa to reposess African art works currently domicile abroad.
He advised that more emphasis should be placed on the return of artifacts rather than the circumstances leading to their removal as the push for the return continues, even as he tasked the Benin Monarch and the Palace on the safe custody of the artifacts.
He disclosed that Nigeria took possession of the artifacts in October 27, and 28 at Jesus College in England and University of Abadin Scoutland.
According to him, “Our part is to ensure that these highly price objects are preserved in accordance with global best practices.
“This will undoubtedly assist in the sustained campaign to return and reposess the remaining Benin artifacts, other Nigerian and African artifacts domiciled across the globe currently.
“I have the privilege to legally transfer the two reposessed Benin artifacts, the conqueror bronze statue Cockerel, “Okpa” and an ancestral head, “Uhunwun Elao” to the Oba of Benin on behalf of President and we are also doing the legal transfer.”
“My presence in Benin Kingdom today is in fulfilment of the desire of the express directive from the president Buhari to return the repossessed artifact to where they originally belong.”
On his part, Oba Ewuare, said the return of the artifacts which coincide with his coronation and birthday anniversary, signifies a new era in Benin history and civilization.
He said contrary to speculations that the artefacts would be confined and kept away from public view, “there will be no restriction” as the palace is already collaborating with the Federal Government through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), to build the Benin Royal Museum to house the returned artworks that will be opened to tourists, researchers, amongst others.
He appealed for financial assistance through specialised grant in setting up small and medium scale enterprises in Benin, including training in ICT to support the active engagement of the youths
He added that the support will help him in minimizing illegal traffficking to Europe and elsewhere, adding that the human development is the best way the kingdom could be compensated for envent of the past.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, was present at the event.
