Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has taken custody of 18 Benin artefacts repatriated from Switzerland, stating that the cultural royal objects are not just for curiosity, but represent records of governance, spirituality and the artistry of Benin people, taken by force.

The objects included an ancestral head of Benin Oba looted during the 1897 punitive expedition against the Benin Royal Court by British Forces in modern day Edo State, Southern part of Nigeria

Receiving the artefacts from delegation from Switzerland led by the Director General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Holloway Olugbile, the Oba said: “The Benin bronzes are not curiosity. They are records of governance, spirituality and curiosity of the Edo people taken by force. To delay their return is to continue dispossession by other means, according to Oba Ewuare.”

The royal father confirmed that the Benin Royal Court has received over 150 original looted Benin cultural objects since since he ascended the throne of his forebears.

According to the Monarch, the restitution process began during the reign of his grandfather, Oba Akenzua, the second, after his father received the first batch of repatriated Benin artefacts, after Oba Eweka, the second had rebuild Benin Royal palace that was breached by the British military invaders.

Oba Ewuare therefore called on the German Government to honour the 2022 agreement it voluntarily entered with the Nigerian government to return over 1000 Benin artworks.

Oba Ewuare also charged officials of other Museums in other countries that are illegally in possession of the looted Benin artefacts to address the colonial injustice against the cultural identity and values of Benin people.

The traditional ruler particularly commended former President of Nigeria, late Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu profoundly for their unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s cultural sovereignty and their invaluable support for the repatriation of looted artefacts back to their original abode.

Oba Ewuare who made a rare move and danced around the cultural objects, added: “I commend the National Museum and Monuments and its Director-General, Mr Olugbile Holloway for their steadfastness in securing the return of the looted artefacts”.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General, National Museum and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway and leader of the delegation, congratulated Oba Ewuare during the symbolic presentation of the artworks for keeping fidelity in NCMM.

He said, “I must say at this point that the Swiz throughout the entire process, was extremely cooperative, extremely transparent. And they did everything within their powers to ensure that this day comes sooner than later.

“Today (Thursday), we brought with us a total of 18 objects. Your Royal Majesty, as we have promised, we are committed these artefacts, the ownership has long been put to bed. It is our wish that the National Museum and Monuments will continue to earn the trust of your Royal Majesty”, Holloway said.

Addressing the Benin throne, the Consul-General of Switzerland Embassy in Nigeria, Conny Camenzind, expressed gratitude to the Oba of Benin and the government of both Nigeria and Switzerland for the historic return of the repatriated artworks, which she said symbolizes mark of better things in future.

A Director from one of the Museums in Switzerland, Prof. Alice Hertzog, commended Oba Ewuare for setting them on the right track in 2021 when the recovery process began.