The monarch of Benin Kingdom Oba Ewuare II has received a total of 119 stolen artifacts from the Netherlands.
The Oba gave a statement on Wednesday, revealing that the artifacts were recovered after plans to re-loot them had failed.
“I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and committing to the efforts former President Buhari put in place to ensure the artifacts are not re-looted because there were groups in this country believed to be an international cartel that had all sorts of conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts. They stole and burnt our Kingdom. They killed my people and tried to kill their spirit and their morale. Today, the boldness, courage, and bravery of the Benin people are still there,” he said.
While giving historical facts, the Oba expressed his gratitude for the recovery of the stolen artifacts. He stated that the return of the objects has awakened his people’s courage.
“Events of 1897 reduced that to a significant level 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 and partisan politics to diminish the courage of our people. The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments has been doing wonderful work. His predecessor was part of the conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts. We had a running battle in this hall,” he said.
The Oba of Benin also thanked the Netherlands government for working effectively towards ensuring that the artifacts be returned to the rightful place
“I addressed my Chiefs in 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 would rather 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 reawaken the morale and spirit of my people.After 1897, the kingdom was reduced. There was a government in this state that wanted to reduce the kingdom more and scatter it. I am angry when I speak about it. Why would anybody want to scatter the kingdom,” he stated.
He also urged the youths to be courageous and string in the face of adversity.
“The youths were courageous like the youths of those days. They were not afraid of anybody. I vowed that it would 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 youths to be tough and strong in the face of adversity. This is not for anybody else. It is for my ancestors,” he said.
