24th April, 2023
By Imelda Osayande
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has informed the Dutch Government of the Nigerian Government Gazette recognising and vesting custody and management of repatriated looted Benin artefacts in the Oba of Benin.
Mr Iguobaro Osaigbovo, Chief Press Secretary to Ewuare II, stated this on Monday in Benin.
Ewuare II informed the Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Wouter Pomp, of the significance of the gazette and Presidential declaration, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Palace.
He explained that the future of the Benin Bronzes and artefacts was spelt out in the gazette and that ownership, custody, and management of the artefacts were clearly spelt out in the gazette.
“They are spelt out clearly. The ownership, custody, and management, are vested in the Oba as an institution. That is the law.”
He stated that the ongoing plans to build the Benin Royal Museum at the request of the Nigerian government were on track.
According to him, the Benin Royal Museum is a Federal Government project that we have been working on for quite some time.
He recalled that the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Notice No. 25 in the official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110, pages A245-247, dated March 23, 2023, put an end to the simmering feud between the Palace and Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo over who should be the custodian of the artefacts.
Pomp had earlier congratulated the Oba on altering the course of history in his remarks before the Benin throne.
He promised his government’s assistance in bolstering Nigeria’s employment, migration, and cultural diplomacy.
“We are very interested in all the history of the Benin Bronzes, some of which as you are aware, are still in the Netherlands.
“Contacts are underway between the Netherlands Commission for Monuments and the Commission for Monuments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There have been meetings between the Commissions about the future of the Benin Bronzes,” he said.
NAN