Benin Kingdom Welcomes 119 Looted Artifacts Repatriated

Habiba Sam 

In a landmark victory for cultural heritage, the Benin Kingdom has welcomed back 119 priceless artifacts looted during the 1897 British invasion.

The artefacts have been the highest  number received  of several returned thus far.

The repatriation ceremony, held at the palace of Oba Ewuare II, marked a significant moment in the kingdom's history. 

The artifacts were returned by the Netherlands, following sustained advocacy by the Benin Royal Court and formal diplomatic requests from the Nigerian government.

The Oba revealed that an international art cartel had attempted to re-loot the artifacts, but their efforts were thwarted by the Dutch government's commitment to cultural restitution.

The monarch expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Monday Okpebholo, and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) for their roles in securing the artifacts' return.

The Oba also commended NCMM Director-General Olugbile Holloway for his dedication to the repatriation process, while criticizing his predecessor for alleged complicity in the failed re-looting attempt. 

The monarch warned against modern political interests seeking to erode the cultural dignity of the Benin people, emphasizing the need to preserve their heritage.

The Edo State Government has pledged to support the preservation of the artifacts and the development of robust infrastructure for their conservation. 

The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, described the repatriation as a historic triumph, underscoring the indomitable spirit of the Edo people.

The Director-General of Wereld Museum, Marieke van Bommel, reiterated her country's commitment to repatriating looted cultural heritage, stating that the returned artifacts had been in Dutch collections for over a century. 

NCMM Director-General Holloway described the occasion as both symbolic and historic, noting that the repatriation was made possible through years of negotiations and cooperation between institutions.

A formal signing ceremony will be held on June 21st at the National Museum in Lagos to solidify the repatriation agreement between Nigeria and the Netherlands.

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