Oba of Benin, Equate 11
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By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II on Saturday, 19 February, 2022 will physically be presented the repatriated Artefacts which were looted from the Palace in 1879 by the British punitive army; from the Federal Government.
This was made public on Tuesday, in a Press release signed by the secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC, Frank Irabor.
It was stated: the “Physical handing over of the two bronzes from Cambridge and Aberdeen in the United Kingdom by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain on the directive of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, will take place on Saturday, 19 February, 2022…”
The “Benin Bronzes of Okpa (Cockerel), and burst of an Oba (Uhunilao) both from Jesus College, Cambridge in Britain, and Aberdeen in Scotland respectively” will be physically handed over to the Monarch.
The BTC is therefore requesting the general public to come share in the joy of the historical occasion.
It was on Monday, 13 December, 2021, Oba Ewuare II in an elaborate event in his Palace signed the ‘Deed of Transfer’ of the repossessed bronzes with the Federal Government.
The Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, Sarafa Isola representing President Muhammadu Buhari led the Federal Government delegation to Benin.
The event of Saturday will mark the third time, looted Benin Artefacts will be returned to base: in 1938 coral bead coronation regalia returned by the British government, during the reign of Oba Akenzua;
In 2014, two bronze works: a ‘bird and a traditional bell, were voluntarily returned by Adrian Walker, the grandson of a member of the 1897 expedition while Oba Erediauwa was on the throne.
And now, in the reign of Oba Ewuare II the Cockerel, “Okpa” and an ancestral Monarch’s head, “Uhunilao” from Jesus College, Cambridge, England and University of Aberdeen, Scotland, respectively.
The Benin Monarch had earlier asserted that art and culture reflect the past and present glory as well as splendor of Benin kingdom, adding that many of these artefacts go beyond mere art works and in very many cases; represent religious and spiritual significance to the revered kingdom.
