By Solomon Ewela, Benin
The federal government has handed over another set of 119 artifacts to the Benin monarch His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku-Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare the second
The presentation of Benin artworks was made by the director general of National Commission for Museum and Monument Mr Olugbile Holloway alongside Netherlands delegation led by Marieke Van Bommel at Oba palace in Benin City
The 119 artifacts represent the largest ever returned to the country since the move by the federal government to repatriate all looted Nigeria’s antiquities across the world began
Overwhelmed by the presentation, Oba Ewuare the second rose from the throne of his forebears and danced to a traditional tune of victory in appreciation to Almighty God and ancestors for the successful return of the lofty Benin artworks.
Oba Ewuare shortly after the royal dance steps, lifted royal scepter upon some of the repatriated artifacts made of bronze and wood to pronounce blessings that would trigger more return of Benin artifacts across various museums in the world
The royal father disclosed that the repatriation of the artifacts signaled cultural reawakening and moral consciousness towards preservation of rich cultural and traditional heritage of Benin kingdom
While thanking president Bola Amed Tinubu for the steps taken so far to ensure repatriation of all looted artifacts to the country, the Oba condemned the attempts by some enemies of the kingdom to reloot the returned artifacts from their saves.
Earlier, the director general of National Commission for Museum and Monument, Mr Olugbile Holloway said the decision of the Netherlands to return several Benin artifacts in its museum would further strengthen cultural ties between the two counties, saying that federal government was in talks with other European countries to return all looted Benin artworks just as the Director General of Wereld museum Netherlands expressed joy over the historic moment
Some of the artworks repatriated include a brazen warrior king, cock, wooden ancestral head and bird.
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